United Nations' (UN) International
Day of Persons with Disabilities is annually held on December 3 to focus on
issues that affect people with disabilities worldwide. This day re-affirms and
draws attention to the rights of people who live with disabilities.
Observance
People from many countries
worldwide participate in various ways to promote the International Day of
Persons with Disabilities. Events may include art exhibitions promoting artwork
by people with disabilities. Other events take the form of protests to
highlight the difficulties disabled people have in playing a full role in
society.
Public Life
The International Day of Persons
with Disabilities is a global observance and not a public holiday.
Background
The United Nations Decade of
Disabled Persons was held from 1983 to 1992 to enable governments and
organizations to implement measures to improve the life of disabled persons all
over the world. On October 14, 1992, as this decade drew to a close, the UN General
Assembly proclaimed December 3 as the International Day of Disabled Persons.
This day was first observed on December 3, 1992. On December 18, 2007, the
assembly changed the observance's name from the "International Day of
Disabled Persons" to the "International Day of Persons with
Disabilities". The new name was first used in 2008.
Symbols
The International Day of Persons with Disabilities is coordinated by United Nations Enable, which works to support and promote the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities. The symbol of Enable is the blue UN symbol and the word "enable". The UN symbol consists of an azimuthal equidistant projection of the globe centered on the North Pole surrounded by olive branches. The word "enable" is written entirely in lower case letters. The letter "e" is red in colour and the other letters are blue.