International Day of Persons with Disabilities {Recognized on Dec. 3}

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Disability, according to Webster, is a:

“physical, cognitive, or developmental condition that impairs, interferes with, or limits a person’s ability to engage in certain tasks or actions or participate in typical daily life or interactions.”

These disabilities can be visible or invisible, and it is estimated that 15% of the world’s population have some type of disability that impact them on a daily basis. When looking at the numbers, that is approximately more than 1 billion individuals who have had to fight to be looked at past their impairment and seen for who they are as a person.

disabilities

The proclamation of the International Day of Disabled Persons began in 1970 when England passed the Sick and Disabled Persons Act, which provided equal rights for housing and recreational activities to individuals with disabilities. Prior to that point, individuals were hospitalized in mental institutions, put in jail, or even euthanized for anything that set them apart from the rest of society. England took a bold move for passing the bill and change truly stemmed from there.

Between the 1970s and 1992, other bills were passed and conventions were held as ways to better understand this population and make things as fair as possible for them. On Dec. 3, 1992, the UN declared an International Day of Disabled Persons, otherwise known as International Day of People with Disabilities, which aims to tear down the barriers and stigma associated with having a disability, both visible or invisible. It supports rights for those individuals and emphasizes the importance of treating others with dignity and respect.

Each year focuses on a specific theme, and the year 2020 focuses on invisible disabilities, especially with mental health cases rising dramatically during the COVID-19 pandemic. Realizing that not all disabilities are visible and increasing one’s awareness are just two actions an individual can take to work toward making the world a safe and equal space for everyone.