International Day of Persons with Disabilities Marks 29 Years of Disability Advocacy

It was first launched in 1992 by the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 47/3. The event is in its 29th year of celebration, marking nearly three decades of meaningful change for the community of Persons with Disabilities.

Such days allow us to pose and shine a light on different situations of Persons with different disabilities worldwide and what our contributions as society are towards the inclusion of persons with disabilities in all areas of life.

This day is aimed at celebrating the successes of persons with disabilities and promoting their rights and well-being in all spheres of society and development.

Although we live in a world where the contributions of persons with disabilities are not seen, it is very important to remember that a disability is less than the abilities of someone with a disability.

This year’s theme is “Transformative solutions for Inclusive Development: The Role of Innovation in Fueling an Accessible and Equitable World”

Focusing on three areas namely-

Employment,

Sports and

Innovation by and for persons with disabilities.

Today and every day the UN is working together with people with different disabilities to create a world that is accessible, equal and inclusive for our fellow Brothers and Sisters who are differently abled,  but the UN cannot do this alone since disability is a cross-cutting issue.

How can you assist the UN in creating an accessible, equal and inclusive world for persons with disabilities around you?

As we commemorate the 2022 International Day of Persons with Disabilities, we do enjoy the following poem entitled "No One" by Ms Pelgrina Ndumba, a UN Namibia Country Staff Member with a Visual Impairment.

No one

Seeking the acceptance of our communities should not be in vein, because no one will live our lives on our behalf.

A life of societal discrimination and ignorance should be a story of the past, because no one can live our lives on our behalf.

A helping hand to cross the street or to count money should not discourage us from achieving our goals, because no one should live our lives on our behalf

We are valuable agents of change; we are well able and should make a mark on the world because no one will live our lives on our behalf.

We are more than our faces; we are more than what you see. Our potential SHOULD be fully realized because no one will live our lives on our behalf.

Nothing about us will be done without us, because no one will live our lives on our behalf

Daily, we must face the inescapable challenges birthed from stigma and hate.

We are who we are today, because no one will live our lives on our behalf.

Morale

In whatever you do always be yourself, because you are not who you are by mistake and don’t let anything or anybody put you down, because you are able.