International Day of People with Disability on December 3 each year is an international observance promoted by the United Nations since 1992. 2012 marks the 20th anniversary of the International Day for People with Disabilities. The day aims to promote an understanding of people with disability and encourage support for their dignity, rights and well-being.

Around 15% of the world’s population, or one billion people, live with disabilities. People are often unaware of the great number of persons living with disabilities around the world and the challenges they face.

Persons with disabilities, “the world’s largest minority”, often face barriers to participation in all aspects of society. Barriers can take a variety of forms, including those relating to the physical environment or to information and communications technology (ICT), or those resulting from legislation or policy, or from societal attitudes or discrimination. The result is that persons with disabilities do not have equal access to society or services, including education, employment, health care, transportation, political participation or justice. The day aims to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities. It also seeks to increase awareness of gains to be derived from the inclusion of persons with disabilities in every aspect of life.

One point I want to make is there are a large number of people with invisible disabilities. An invisible disability is one where you might say “you don’t look sick”.

Some people only think of disability applying someone in a wheelchair, or walking with a cane but there are many people who have difficulty with everyday functions who are disabled who don’t look disabled to you. 

Please be polite and patient if you see someone in handicapped parking and never take advantage of the parking space, I don’t care how sick you are. 

Enjoy the day.

Melinda