International Day of Person with Disabilities

International Day of Person with Disabilities

A Disabled or a handicapped person is one who has some physical or Mental Defect that makes it difficult for him to lead a normal life. People with disabilities % of the world’s population and 80 % of disabled persons live in developing countries. Another disturbing fact is that 20% of the world’s poor people are disabled. In most societies, very few disabled persons have proper jobs. They are denied job opportunities and are not treated fairly by society. They are often forced to beg or depend on charity and welfare schemes for their livelihood.
Have you ever thought of what life must be like for a disabled person? He needs understanding, attention and care. H emust be given all the help possible to make him live with dignity and at the same time he must be treated as an equal. It is for this purpose that the United nations which believe in the principle of equality announced 1981 as the International year Disabled Persons. This was a turning point in making the world aware of the need to help the disabled.

In the early 1980’s the US D democratic National Committee, in an attempt to bring greater dignity to the disabled and to focus attention on their many talents and abilities , coined the kinder and more acceptable term ‘differently abled’ to refer to them.

The following year, the international Decade Disabled Person (1983-1992) was declared to promote equality and full participation of disabled persons in social life and in various activities. On October 14, 1992, the UN General Assembly proclaimed December 3 as the International Day of Disabled persons. The Day was first observed on December 3, 1992. On December 18, 2007, the General Assembly changed its name to the International Day for Persons with Disabilities and from 2008 that is how it has been called.

Many events are organized on this day for the purpose of making the general public aware of the plight of the handicapped as well as to celebrate the contributions made by the disabled to society. Forums with experts and disabled persons, public discussions, debates and demonstrations are some of the activities that help in bringing about this awareness, while exhibitions of art created by the disabled reveal the kind of talent they possess and how the society can benefit if it is recognized and tapped. Fund raising functions are also held.
Every year has its own special theme.’Accessibillity for all for Millennium’ (19990, ‘ Making Information Technologies Work for All’ (2000). ‘Right of Persons with Disabilities: Action in Development’ (2005), ‘E-Accessibility’ (2006) and ‘Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities and their Communities around the world’ (2009) are some of them. This year’s theme is ‘Together for a Better World for All: Including Persons with Disabilities in Development.’

The plight of disabled children is especially pathetic. Such children are very vulnerable and often abused. At best they are ignored. They need special attention and a lot of love. It is very important that they are sent to either regular or special schools. The efforts of the UN in making governments aware of their responsibilities towards such children have led to measures being taken and schemes created to protect and take care of most of their needs. It is to be hoped that observance of days like the International Day of Persons with Disabilities will lead to a better, brighter, and happier future for them.

From PCM Magazine