Raising awareness of the key challenges people with disabilities face contributes to building reliable support structures that help individuals live independent, fulfilling lives.
Although celebrated just once per year, the International Day of People with Disabilities (IDPWD) serves as a reminder that each day, there is still more work to be done to create diverse, accessible communities across the world.
Let’s dive in and explore what this day is, why it matters, and how we at Gracious Australia strive to be part of the solution for a more inclusive world.
International Day of People with Disabilities: Why is it Important?
That’s why the International Day of People with Disabilities is so important. It amplifies the voices of people, such as yourself or a loved one, sharing stories that discuss everyday challenges that both adults and children with disabilities face each day.
For example, these topics may promote the need for more inclusive communication for people who cannot hear or touch on issues surrounding loneliness. Conversations may also amplify the voices of carers needing more funding for at-home support or better respite facilities.
These discussions delve into the importance of reliable and efficient disability support, enabling people to reach their full potential while learning, working, or contributing to the local community.
While highlighting common challenges surrounding accessibility or sufficient care, these conversations improve the visibility of quality services, such as daily living support and personal assistance, making it easier for individuals to reach the needed resources.
What is the International Day of People with Disabilities?
The International Day of People with Disabilities is part of the United Nations Disability Inclusion Strategy, which sets the bar for sustainable and transformative progress in disability inclusion.
This program aligns closely with Australia’s Disability Strategy 2021–2031, which advocates understanding, acceptance, and increased public awareness of the needs of the 4.4 million Australians with a disability.
Celebrated every year on 3rd December, the United Nations General Assembly event was first launched in 1992 and promotes the equal human rights of those with disabilities throughout society.
What’s the Aim of the International Day of People with Disabilities?
The International Day of People with Disabilities spreads awareness of the challenges people with disabilities face, such as access to sufficient funding or tailored support inside and outside their homes.
Ultimately, discussing these challenges more transparently enables places of education, work, healthcare, and recreation to identify ways to improve accessibility. This may be through offering more equal opportunities, modifying entrances and exits, and supplying specialist assistance where possible.
These measures ensure individuals with disabilities can participate and enjoy all aspects of social, political, economic, and cultural life.
It highlights the importance of equal rights, dignity, and well-being.
To help businesses, schools, governments, and communities put this into practice, the four key guiding principles of IDPWD are:
- Celebration: We celebrate and value diversity and all disabilities
- Learning: We commit to listening to and better understanding people with disabilities
- Optimism: We are optimistic and look toward a future society that is accessible to all
- Action: We take action by offering customisable support plans that align with individual needs
International Day of People with Disabilities 2023
Every year, the United Nations General Assembly selects an overarching theme to commemorate the International Day of People with Disabilities, with each one representing a different way that we as a society can strive for improved inclusivity.
This year’s theme is ‘United in action to rescue and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for, with, and by persons with disabilities.’ The SDGs refer to 17 goals that contribute to building a fairer world, such as reducing inequalities, which each United Nations country aims to achieve by 2030.
The promise of the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is “to leave no one behind”, and finding ways to include people with disabilities in the 17 goals is therefore an essential part of upholding this.
For example, one of the key SDGs is good health and well-being, which, among other targets, aims to achieve quality essential healthcare services for all. This includes everything from affordable essential medicines to tailored mentoring services for people with disabilities hoping to develop independent daily living skills.
Last year’s IDPWD theme covered innovation and transformative solutions for inclusive development. This looked at promoting diversity in the workplace, reducing inequality in both public and private sectors, and sports as a site of innovation and equality.
Transformative solutions for disability issues like these provide the tools to help all individuals take steps forward to better their lives, whether you require round-the-clock in-home support, or simply a friendly face that will listen to your unique needs.
Organisations that prioritise finding and delivering these solutions are crucial for creating a fairer, more inclusive society for people with disabilities.
Celebrating International Day of People with Disabilities: What Can You Do?
Funded by the Government each year, the Department of Social Services offers a variety of resources to raise awareness for disability issues and help as many people as possible get involved in the IDPWD.
For example, they provide event planning kits for schools, workplaces, and community groups, which include inspiration and ideas to help plan, theme, and deliver an IDPWD event.
Along with using these resources, some of the ways that you can help promote inclusivity for all include:
- Sharing messages of support using the #IDPwD hashtag online
- Attending an IDPWD event on 3rd December
- Sharing your experiences to raise awareness of living with a disability
- Engaging with stories of other people with disabilities
- Following online creators with disabilities
- Starting a conversation in your local community to increase awareness of disability issues
- Donating to charities that support people with disabilities
If you, your friend, family member, or colleague has a disability, you can celebrate the day by advocating for representation and empowering your local community to improve resources, like clubs, volunteer opportunities, and medical care.
Changes could involve anything from improved accessibility within workplaces to ensuring that young adults get the individual support needed for their future personal and professional success.
How Do We Support Disability Inclusion?
Here at Gracious Australia, we understand the frustration of not feeling listened to or understood.
As an NDIS-approved provider of disability support services, we, therefore, aim to support people with physical and mental disabilities in leading independent and empowered daily lives.
Whether that involves providing round-the-clock in-home support services or helping you get better connected with your community, our priority is to ensure that we curate a personal plan specific to your needs, helping you lead the happiest, healthiest life possible.
To find out more about how our quality care services could help you or your loved one, reach out to our friendly expert team today.
