12/1/2023 “International Day of Persons with Disabilities” By Kaylee McGrath

Opening Statement:

On December 3rd, we should all take the time out to focus on challenges faced by persons living with disabilities. As we celebrate this day all must keep in mind there is no discrimination when it comes down to having a disability, either physical, developmental, cognitive, mental illness, age, or gender. The spirit of the day is to ensure that all people in the world have equal opportunities for work, play, socialization, health, and success. Individuals with disabilities can be and very often are contributing and valued members of society, the workforce, and today is all about appreciating them/us. On this day, we also express solidarity with them/us in their/our struggles to overcome the barriers and challenges which are still faced, due to stigmatization, and exclusion.

How To Observe International Day of Persons with Disabilities

· Become An Advocate for People Living with Disabilities

Look around your community and the places you frequent. If accommodations for people living with disabilities are not in place, ask the shop owner, mall manager and/or your elected officials to install them. It is the law.

· Lend A Helping Hand

Sometimes just delivering medication, dropping off the mail, or picking up a few things at the grocery —simple tasks for you—will make a world of difference to someone living with a disability.

· Learn A New Skill

As disability is not merely limited to physical impairment, it’s important to learn more about how to communicate better with people across a range of disabilities. From learning sign language to learning the actual correct terminology to use, there are multiple ways to better engage with the individuals with disabilities. Find the one that best suits people that you know!

Facts About Disabilities

· Disability And Poverty Do Go Together

Societies with lower incomes tend to have a higher rate of people living with disability

· Women, Children, And the Elderly Are Vulnerable

Men are less likely to develop a disability as compared to women, children, and elderly people.

· The Age Group Most Affected

Some studies show that young people in the age group 10 to 19 years have the highest rate of disability.

· 25% Of 20-Year-Olds Are a Risk

Studies have shown that at least one in every four 20-year-olds is at risk of developing a disability.

· 9% Of Disabilities Are Due to Accidents

This means that accidents are probably the least of your worries when it comes to developing a disability.

Why International Day of Persons with Disabilities Is Important

· It Creates Awareness

People living with disabilities sometimes feel invisible in our society. People rush around them in their daily routines, barely noticing them. Today, try to make eye contact and smile and be available to help should they seem to be having difficulties.

· We Understand the Difficulties People Living with Disabilities Have

The treasured parking space right in front of the pharmacy, the sloped curbs at intersections with the textured mats in place so the vision impaired folks can feel the curb end, the buttons to open doors automatically, even elevators on the Subway are all in place to make a difficult life a little easier for a person with disabilities. Notice these accommodations today, and then notice how few of them there are.

· It’s More Than a Day, It Is the Law

The Americans with Disabilities Act was created to define the rights of people with disabilities and the design standards which businesses and municipalities must incorporate to comply with the law. Called the ADA, it is quite explicit in the standards required, and a familiarity with it could be most helpful to anyone in.

Closing Statement:

One of the many things I learned about preparing this article was, what is the correct term to use for a disabled person? The correct and accepted term universally is to refer to the disabled person as a ‘Person with a Disability.’ By putting the person first, their humanity is more the focus, rather than their disability. The other valued thing I learned was, how do you describe someone with special needs? The correct way to describe the person is, anyone with a disability is to be referred to as a person with a disability. Individuals are not to be called ‘patients,’ until and unless they are under the care of a medical professional or institution. Across the world, not only today, but every day we should respect, appreciate, and be an inclusive and equality world for everyone, disabled and non-disabled. ALL EQUAL and nothing less, it is the LAW!

Source of Information: Various Google Searches

Until Next Week, Stay Safe and Well!