International Day of Persons with Disabilities December 3rd 2023
On December 3rd, people with disabilities around the world, including Pakistan, are celebrating International Day of Persons with Disabilities. Observing this day aims to promote the inclusion of people with disabilities in various fields.
Health and well-being are among the great blessings of Allah. To understand life's challenges, we should ask those living with some form of physical disability. Today, International Day of Persons with Disabilities is being celebrated globally to express unity with people with disabilities.
United Nations Commencement of International Day of Persons with Disabilities
The commencement of International Day of Persons with Disabilities dates back to 1992 when the United Nations passed a resolution for the rights of persons with disabilities. The goal of observing this day at the global level is to promote unity with people with disabilities and prevent them from feeling marginalized in any way, integrating them into the mainstream of life.
According to the United Nations, there are approximately 650 million people with disabilities worldwide. This number constitutes 10% of the total population, meaning that one in every ten individuals has a disability.
Currently, nearly 200 million newborn babies worldwide are born with disabilities due to various reasons, including maternal health issues. The United Nations states that 80% of people with disabilities reside in developing countries where they often lack access to basic facilities. These individuals face challenges in acquiring education and opportunities for advancement, similar to the general population.
In contrast, in developed countries, 20% of people with disabilities are provided with various facilities, and their healthcare and treatment are the responsibility of the government.
Purpose and Awareness of Celebrating Day for Persons with Disabilities
Today's celebration aims to emphasize that, beyond color, race, and ethnicity, we should all play a proactive role in the well-being of individuals with disabilities, both on an individual and societal level.
People with disabilities have excelled in every field worldwide, proving that with support and cooperation, they can lead fulfilling lives just like everyone else. Today's celebration also aims to make a commitment, transcending color, race, and ethnicity, that we will play a full part in the well-being of individuals with disabilities.
December 3: International Day of Persons with Disabilities
Throughout life, every person encounters temporary or permanent disabilities at some point. It is essential to integrate disability into the healthcare system at every level, particularly within the framework of health services. Worldwide, about 15% of the population is affected by disability, which includes approximately 190 million individuals aged 15 or older, constituting 3.8% of people with disabilities.
|
Children
under five who require some form of support, |
10.34% |
|
Children
aged 5-14 who require some form of special education |
23.09% |
|
Young
people up to the age of 29 will need further education, |
23.98% |
|
Disabled
Adults require other welfare support and assistance |
25.15% |
|
Disabled
senior citizens need more special facilities. |
16.56% |
Events, Rallies, and Seminars will be held on 3rd December
International Day of Persons with Disabilities is observed on December 3rd each year to promote awareness and mobilize support for the rights and well-being of people with disabilities. Various events and activities are held on this day to raise awareness, celebrate achievements, and advocate for the rights of individuals with disabilities. Here are some common events and activities that take place on this day:
Seminars and Conferences: Many countries organize seminars, conferences, and workshops that focus on disability-related issues. Experts, policymakers, and activists often participate to discuss challenges and potential solutions.
Awareness Campaigns: Public awareness campaigns are conducted to educate people about the rights, needs, and contributions of individuals with disabilities. These campaigns often use various media platforms to reach a wide audience.
Art Exhibitions and Competitions: Art exhibitions featuring work by disabled artists are organized to showcase their talents. Art competitions and exhibitions may also be held to encourage creative expression.
Sports Events: Adaptive sports events and competitions are organized to highlight the achievements of athletes with disabilities and promote the importance of inclusive sports.
Community Workshops: Workshops and training sessions may be organized to educate communities on inclusivity, accessibility, and how to support individuals with disabilities.
Film Screenings: Screenings of documentaries and films focusing on disability-related themes are held to raise awareness and promote understanding.
Accessibility Audits: Some organizations and institutions use this day to conduct accessibility audits and assessments to identify areas where improvements are needed to make spaces more inclusive.
Award Ceremonies: Awards recognizing the contributions of individuals and organizations to the disability community may be presented during special ceremonies.
Fundraising Events: Non-profit organizations often use this day to raise funds for disability-related causes and projects.
Government Initiatives: Governments may use this day to announce new policies, initiatives, or legislation aimed at improving the lives of people with disabilities.
Public Demonstrations and Advocacy: Some disability advocacy groups and activists may organize public demonstrations, marches, or rallies to draw attention to specific issues and advocate for disability rights.
Online Campaigns: Social media campaigns and online events are increasingly common, allowing people to participate and show their support for disability rights from anywhere in the world.
These events and activities aim to promote inclusivity, raise awareness, and advocate for the rights and dignity of individuals with disabilities while celebrating their achievements and contributions to society.
On this occasion, various items crafted by persons with disabilities were displayed. In some cities, individuals with disabilities also organized protest rallies, and during these events, they presented their messages through placards.
Every December 3rd, as is customary, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities is commemorated. Seminars will be held, where efforts will be made to promise these individuals to become productive citizens of society and ensure their rightful place within it. To express solidarity with persons with disabilities, banners, posters, and play cards will be raised by children during rallies. Furthermore, in these gatherings, prominent figures will utter grand words of support, compassion, and love, making these sentiments a prominent feature in the newspapers.
Indeed, as we have mentioned before, just as there isn't a specific day for mothers or teachers, likewise, there shouldn't be a designated day for persons with disabilities. Advocacy for their rights should be an ongoing effort, prioritized on a daily basis, at every opportunity, and on all platforms, to address their issues adequately.
International Day of Persons with Disabilities is marked through events, rallies, and seminars in various cities. Rallies and events were held in different cities on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities and the government was demanded to seriously implement the quota on jobs.
Addressing disabilities requires adopting various approaches, including scientific, physical, communication, social, and emotional approaches. To engage in all these processes, specialized education is necessary.
Physical disabilities encompass conditions such as paralysis, deafness, blindness, emotional challenges, hearing impairments, learning disabilities, multiple disabilities, orthopedic impairments, and intellectual disabilities, including conditions like autism.
When treating individuals with disabilities, it's essential to involve them in decision-making, which facilitates their treatment. Specialized transportation, toilets, and rooms should be available for them to ease their mobility. During treatment, simple and easily understandable language should be used, with the help of visuals if needed.
In any group of disabled individuals, about half of them have very low incomes, making them unable to afford travel expenses and the purchase of medicines. Various measures can enhance the lives of people with disabilities. Most importantly, it boosts their morale by ensuring their physical well-being. Efforts should be made to simplify access to healthcare facilities for all these individuals and establish an effective healthcare system to address their issues.
People with disabilities often feel marginalized due to neglect, lack of cooperation, and limited access. It is imperative to work on priority foundations every day, at every opportunity, on every platform to make them competent citizens, establish their rightful place in society, and protect their rights. Advanced countries provide social, economic, and government support to individuals with disabilities.
We don't claim that Pakistan is in a dire state, but there is still a need for sincere efforts here to help individuals with disabilities shine as special stars and illuminate the name of our country on the global stage.
However, in comparison to developed countries, Pakistan announces budgets of millions for the education of disabled children. Yet, government schools are often deprived of all these facilities, making it challenging for disabled children to cultivate a passion for learning. A significant number of disabled children cannot even attend school because their classrooms are usually located on the first or second floor, making it difficult for them to climb stairs. Unlike other countries, Pakistan generally lacks such facilities on government transport and recreational venues for disabled individuals.
In Pakistan, 80% of disabled children are denied education due to the absence of appropriate facilities. In fact, there is no government department in the country specifically working for the rights of disabled individuals. We need to work diligently to educate and empower them, making their lives easier. When we look beyond government initiatives, there is a lack of awareness in society about how households, relatives, friends, and communities should behave towards these children.
If we believe that disabled individuals have no knowledge and do not feel anything, our perspective is incorrect. People's behavior towards them during their upbringing in society has profound effects on their lives and development. Therefore, from childhood, we should strive to understand them and raise them according to their understanding and needs.
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