Basic Information
International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) is observed on December 3 to mobilize support for the dignity, rights and well being of persons with disabilities.
Observed on: 3 December
Organized by: UN, UNESCO
Introduced in: 1998
Observed: Worldwide
About International Day of Persons with Disabilities
International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) is observed with an aim to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights and well being of persons with disabilities.
The day was earlier called as International Day of Disabled Persons from 1992 – 2007. This name was changed to International Day of Persons with Disabilities on 18 December 2007 and first used in 2008.
UN observed 1981 as the International Year of Disabled Persons with theme “full participation and equality”. Also 1983 – 1992 was observed as the United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons. As marking the end of the decade United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 3 December as the International Day of Persons with Disabilities by a resolution on 14 October 1992 to promote awareness and mobilize support for critical issues pertaining to the inclusion of persons with disabilities in society and development.
The day is important as about 1 billion people out of 7 billion people in the world have some form of disability.
Activities and Programs on IDPD
The International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) is observed all over the world by many programs, events and activities. Organizations conduct programs which show the skills of differently able persons. These programs include art exhibitions, music show, sports events, success stories, etc. of differently able persons. Media also took initiative by showing programs shows the success and skills of differently able persons.
Some programs includes art competitions, story or play writing, volunteering etc. Social media campaign includes with a hashtag #idpd or #IDPwD or #idpwd.
Theme for International Day of Persons with Disabilities
International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2020 Theme is “Building back better: towards an inclusive, accessible and sustainable post COVID-19 world by, for and with persons with disabilities“
Theme for International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) 2019 was “Promoting the participation of persons with disabilities and their leadership: taking action on the 2030 Development Agenda”
IDPD 2018 Theme was “Empowering persons with disabilities and ensuring inclusiveness and equality“
IDPWD 2017 Theme was “Transformation towards sustainable and resilient society for all“
2016 Theme: Achieving 17 Goals for the Future We Want
2015 Theme: Inclusion matters: access and empowerment for people of all abilities
2014 Theme: Sustainable development: The promise of technology
2013 Theme: Break Barriers, Open Doors: for an inclusive society and development for all
2012 Theme: Removing barriers to create an inclusive and accessible society for all
2011 Theme: Together for a better world for all: Including persons with disabilities in development
2010 Theme: Keeping the promise: Mainstreaming disability in the Millennium Development Goals towards 2015 and beyond
2009 Theme: Making the MDGs Inclusive: Empowerment of persons with disabilities and their communities around the world
2008 Theme: Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Dignity and justice for all of us
2007 Theme: Decent Work for persons with Disabilities
2006 Theme: E-Accessibility
2005 Theme: Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Action in Development
2004 Theme: Nothing About Us Without Us
2003 Theme: A Voice of our Own
2002 Theme: Independent Living and Sustainable Livelihoods
2001 Theme: Full participation and equality: The call for new approaches to access progress and evaluate outcome
2000 Theme: Making information technologies work for all
1999 Theme: Accessibility for all for the new Millennium
1998 Theme: Arts, Culture and Independent Living