December 3rd, 2011 marks the 19th International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD). This annual observance established in 1992 by the United Nations General Assembly resolution 47/3 aims to promote greater understanding of disability issues with a focus on the rights of persons with disabilities and the inclusion and integration of persons with disabilities in all aspects of political, social, economic, and cultural life. The 2011 IDPD theme “Together for a better world for all: Including persons with disabilities in development” includes five suggested sub-themes: (1) Mainstreaming disability: Including a disability perspective in all development processes, (2) Gender: Including women and girls with disabilities in development, (3) Including children and youth with disabilities in development, (4) Accessibility: Removing barriers and promoting disability-inclusive development, and (5) Promoting data collection and statistics on disability. Stakeholders throughout the world organize, celebrate, and take action to promote progress and address issues in disability policy and the barriers to the full inclusion of persons with disabilities in the lives of their societies.
For information on IDPD 2011 events globally and nationally please visit http://www.un.org/disabilities/default.asp?id=1561#aroundtheworld. For more information on United Nations Enable please visit http://www.un.org/disabilities/default.asp?navid=3&pid=17.
