UN International Day of Persons with Disabilities

December 3rd marks the United Nations' observance of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. The theme for this year's observance is "Inclusion matters: access and empowerment for people of all abilities".

The UN notes that an estimated one billion people around the world live with a disability. Here in the United States, we have federal regulations, laws, and other official mandates to help protect, provide accommodations, and empower our citizens who have a disability. However in many societies, people with disabilities do not have access to transportation, employment, education, and political and social entities.

From the UN: "The right to participate in public life is essential to create stable democracies, active citizenship and reduce inequalities in society. By promoting empowerment, real opportunities for people are created. This enhances their own capacities and supports them in setting their own priorities. Empowerment involves investing in people - in jobs, health, nutrition, education, and social protection. When people are empowered they are better prepared to take advantage of opportunities, they become agents of change and can more readily embrace their civic responsibilities."

Facts & Figures:

• 7 billion people: world population
• Over 1 billion people in the world have some form of disability, that’s 1 in 7
• More than 100 million disabled persons are children
• Children with disabilities are almost four times more likely to experience violence than non-disabled children
• 80% of all people with disabilities live in a developing country
• 50% of disabled persons cannot afford health care
• 153 countries signed the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

(source)

Find more information on resources, UN committees, and related events here.