International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2022

Dr. Kshetrimayum Kala Singh *

International Day of Persons With Disabilities observed on December 03 2022 :: Pix - TSE

The International Day of Persons with Disabilities was proclaimed by United Nations General Assembly in 1992 by a resolution 47/ 3. The day aims to promote the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities in all spheres of society and development to break down barriers (both structural and attitudinal) for people with disability.

Also this observation is done to increase awareness of the situation of persons with disabilities in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life. Above of all these, complete realization of the human rights of all persons with disabilities is an inalienable, integral and indivisible part of all human rights and fundamental freedom.

The theme for 2022 is "Transformative solutions for inclusive development: The role of innovation in fuelling an accessible and equitable world". In such of human crisis due to the COVID-19 pandemic we should not isolate the disabilities.

We should help them in every way for participation and inclusion of them in the public conference, meeting, gathering, discussion, festival so that they will get better and 'new ideas and knowledge in their life. Later on they may become leader of the society and organisations in the post COVID-19 war and they will realise the taste and value of surviving life.

Also we should remember that steps were taken to increase the member of disabled people working and to decrease the disability complement gap. Most often, in moments of crises, people in vulnerable situations such as persons with disabilities are the most excluded and left behind.

In line with the central premise of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development to "leave no one behind", it is crucial for Governments, public and private sectors to collaboratively find innovative solutions for and with persons with disabilities to make the world a more accessible and equitable place.

The 2022 global observance to commemorate the International Day of Persons with Disabilities will be around the overarching theme of innovation and transformative solutions for inclusive development, covering three different interactive dialogues in the following thematic topics:

1. Innovation for disability inclusive development in employment (SDGS) : This dialogue will discuss the linkages between employment, knowledge and skills required to access employment in an innovative, rapidly changing technological landscape to all and how assistive technologies can increase accessibility to employment and be mainstreamed in the workplace.

2. Innovation for disability inclusive development in reducing inequality (SDG10) : This dialogue will discuss innovations, practical tools and good practices to reduce inequalities in both public and private sectors, which are disability inclusive and interested in promoting diversity in the workplace.

3. Innovation for disability inclusive development : A sector where all of these aspects coalesce; sports as a good practice example and a site of innovation, employment and equity. The disabled persons are those who have a physical or mental impairement and the impairment has a substantial and long term adverse effect on the persons ability to carry out normal day to day activities.

Common causes of Physical Disabilities are Polio, Cerebral Palsy, Spinal Cord injury. Multiple Sclerosis, Spinal bifida, Heart Disease, Lung or Respiratory problems, Mental illness including Depression, Diabetes, Stroke, Cancer, Vision impairment, Deaf or hard of hearing etc.

According to the WHO Report on Disability, 15 percent of the World's population or mere than a billion people are living with disability, of this number it is estimated that 450 million are living with a mental or neurological condition. Of the one billion population of persons with disabilities, 80% live in developing countries.

The celebration is done by holding discussion, forums and campaigns relating disability and communities are encouraged to organize meeting, talk and even performances in their local areas. Several NGOs, Civil Society Organizations, many Government and semi Government institutions are observing this day with grand success in their localities every year since 1992.

Each and every country have the grades of disability rights. But Portugal, Brazil, Spain and France have high grades of disability rights. We particularly the media, educationists, law makers, senior citizens, civil society organisations etc. must try to increase public awareness, understanding and acceptance of people with disability and celebrate their achievements and contributions.

The society remains vacant without recognizing them. Many people with disabilities face many barriers to inclusion in many key aspects of society. As a result people with disabilities do not enjoy access to society on an equal basis with others, which includes areas of transportation, employment and education as well as social and political participation.

The right to participate in public life is essential to create stable democracies, active citizenship and reduce inequalities in society. An integrated approach is required to ensure that persons with disabilities are not left behind. So, this observance of IDPD on 3rd December is highly essential. We know that there are many famous persons with disability in this world.

Many of them are legendary actors, sports persons, politicians, musicians, athletes, articles, artists and writers.

Some of them are
Helen Adams Keller (Deaf & blind, American writer & speaker)
Joh Nash (paranoid schizophrenia, American mathematician who was awarded the 1994 Nobel Prize for Economics.
Nick Vujicic (without limbs Australian American, Mexican women known for many portraits &self portraits),
Ira Singhal (Scoliosis, an lAS Officer & MBA),
Jyoti Amge (Dwarfism, has Guinness world record),
Suresh H Advani (Polio, doctor oncologist, got Padma Bhushan Award),
Bharat Kumar (without left arm, got 2 international titles and more than 50 medals),
Preethi Srinivasan (Quadriplegic captain of the under-19 Tamil Nadu women's cricket team),
Ravindra Jain (Blind since birth, a veteran Indian music composer, lyricist and singer),
S Jaipal Reddy (Polio, Indian politician who became India's Union Minister),
Ajit Jogi (Quadriplegia, IAS, Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh in 2000) etc.

From the above lists we have confirmed that there are people who do not allow their disabling conditions to become a roadblock in their lives. These disabled persons have self-confidence as their biggest strength and their courage get them success and fame.

CONCLUSION

The observance of this day aims to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilize support of the dignity, rights and well-being of person with disabilities.

"IN A DAY WHEN YOU DON'T COME ACROSS ANY PROBLEMS YOU CAN BE SURE THAT YOU ARE TRAVELLING ON A WRONG PATH."