This blog post was written by Ambrosia Greer, a Nivati Massage Therapist and Meditation Guru. You can see more of their content on the Nivati platform and on the Nivati blog. If you want to learn more about Nivati, click here.

International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) is a United Nations (UN) day that is celebrated every year on December 3rd.

This annual day of observance is about promoting the rights and wellbeing of persons with disabilities at every level of society, culture, and development. The WHO (also known as World Health Organization) joins the UN in observing this day each year. They promote how important it is to secure the rights of people with disabilities, so they can participate effectively, fully, and equally in society.

This day encourages business leaders across the globe to stop and focus on the value of the unique contributions of disabled people. 

Together as professionals, we can seek to advance health as a basic human right. 

Annually WHO decides on a theme and produces evidence-based advocacy materials such as flyers, brochures, flyers, banners, infographics, and presentations. These materials are shared with partners in government and civil society around the world as well as WHO regional and country offices. This year's theme is “Transformative solutions for inclusive development: the role of innovation in fueling an accessible and equitable world.” To break this down, this means to:

• Exploring how to solve problems regarding inclusion.
• Playing a role that will ignite a meaningful change for a more accessible and impartial world.

What a great cause to be a part of to contribute to a better functional world to live in. We cannot do it without you!

The annual observance of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) on the 3rd of December was proclaimed in 1992 by the United Nations. The 2022 global observance to celebrate the International Day of Persons with Disabilities will be around the overall theme of innovation and transformative solutions for inclusive development, with key Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) in mind.

‍What are Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)?

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development was adopted at the United Nations Summit in New York in September 2015. The Agenda is a broad and universal policy agenda, with 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with 169 associated targets that are integrated and indivisible. The 2030 Agenda seeks to guide Member States to transform their approach to achieve inclusive, people-centered, and sustainable development with no one left behind.

How do sustainable development goals affect you? 

The Department of Economic and Social Affairs Social Inclusion of the UN, "seeks to strengthen international cooperation for social development, particularly in the areas of poverty eradication, productive employment, decent work, and the social inclusion of older persons, youth, family, and persons with disabilities." Today, the world population is over 7 billion people. More than one billion people, or approximately 15 percent of the world’s population, live with some form of disability. I am sure you are personally connected to someone who falls into each one of these categories if not more. The Division’s work is vital for the social pillar of sustainable development.

Check out our blog post What is Autism and How Does it Fit in The Workplace? For more info and ideas on how you can incorporate International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) within your workplace.  

Ways to Celebrate International Day of Disabled Persons 2022 in the Workplace

The best way to ignite change in your workplace is to host a disability training session. Anyone at any time can be affected by a disability, so it is important that all employees understand accessibility to create that inclusive culture. Knowledge is power, and recognition of neurodiversity in the workplace is vital. Hiring a disability awareness speaker that will resonate with your employees. An international day of disability, speakers will truly deliver an empowering speech. Improving accessibility and inclusion in the workplace is another great way to help celebrate. Some examples include but not limited to are 

• Wheelchair ramps and lifts
• Braille or large font signage
• Quiet rooms for noise sensitivity 
• Adaptive desks and chairs

Check out JAN for more resources for work accommodations. It is the largest and leading resource that offers free, yes, you read that right, free expert and confidential guidance on workplace accommodations and disability employment issues. Consider making a pledge to celebrate diversity and serve your disabled employees this World Disability Day by donating to a disability charity, strengthening your discrimination policies or making a public statement of support. 

What Does Disability Mean and Why is it Important to Celebrate?

Persons with disabilities are amongst, “the world’s largest minority." Unfortunately this community generally has poorer health, lower education achievements, fewer economic opportunities and higher rates of poverty than people without disabilities. This is primarily due to the lack of services available to them that are not by choice such as information and communications technology (ICT), transportation, justice and the many obstacles they confront in their everyday lives. 

People tend to fear what they do not know or understand. Educating one’s self to create a better understanding is a powerful way to extinguish stereotypes and misconceptions. Start with yourself and then begin a remarkable journey towards awareness. Awareness creates empathy and empathy creates a safe and inclusive environment. Become an empathetic leader today and help spread awareness on International Day of Persons with Disabilities!

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