International Day of Persons with Disabilities

Today is the 22nd International Day of Persons with Disabilities. This is coordinated by the United Nations Enable which promote a greater understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights and well being of persons with disabilities.

Since its inception in 1992, each year has a different theme with this year being Sustainable Development: The Promise of Technology. The three sub themes are:

Disability Inclusive Sustainable Development Goals
Disaster Risk Reduction and Emergency Responses
Creating Enabling Work Environments

The World Health Organization reports that there are over 1 billion people living in the world with some type of disability, making it the world’s largest minority group.

This figure, along with other data that you might find interesting, can be found on the United Nations Enable’s quick fact sheet on disabilities.

In recognition of the significance of this day, I have pulled together a few interesting statistics worth sharing and also provide some suggestions on how you can commemorate this day. There is a quick quiz where you can test your level of awareness of disabilities across the world. You may or may not be surprised at your score!

A 2012 Census in Canada found that 3.8 million Canadians (13.7% or nearly 1 in 9 people) reported having a disability. This compares to 56.7 million (18.7% or nearly 1 in 5 people) in the United States based on data from a 2010 census. Sadly, persons with disabilities across the world face a variety of challenges that include physical, social, economical and attitudinal barriers.

The statistics for Canada paint a grim picture and show that there is still a ways to go in offering equality for all within the country that I call home.

Five Facts and Figures about having a Disability in Canada

The unemployment rate for people with disabilities was 8.6% in 2006 compared to the Canadian average of 6.3% according to the 2006 CHRC
More than half of small business owners have never hired a person with a disability according to a 2012 survey by the BMO Financial Group, yet of those who have, 77% indicate that the employees either met or exceeded job expectations.
The 2012 BMO survey referenced above also reports that close to 50% of Canadians believe there is a hiring bias against persons with a disability.
There are more people than you may think who have an invisible or “hidden” disability. For example, the Learning Disabilities Association of Canada estimates 1 in 10 Canadians have a learning disability, with more children having a learning disability than all other types of disabilities combined.
Just 10% of Canadians feel that persons with a disability are fully included in society according to the most recent Government of Canada report.

How can you get involved and commemorate this day?

Find out what the city you live in, or are closet to, has organized to celebrate the day and look for how you can take part in the events. Calgary, where I live, is offering a full afternoon of activities and details can be found

Is your workplace offering an activity or event today showcasing and celebrating the skills and abilities that employees with disabilities have in your organization? If so, take advantage of this opportunity to increase your awareness of what living with a disability is like, the challenges that may present themselves and find out how you can champion the inclusivity of those with a disability in the workplace.

If you are a person with a disability, whether it is visible or invisible, look for ways in which you can share a few of your experiences with those around you if you feel comfortable in doing so. You may find that you are able to help in influencing a shift in their perspective.

Take a few moments today to reflect on all the daily interactions you have with people and ask yourself if you are saying the right words and what your body language is conveying? Disabilities can be both visible and invisible, which doesn’t make them any less real, so there may be times that you aren’t even aware that the person you are speaking to has one.

As someone who has an invisible disability, I view today as being a fabulous opportunity for bringing people together to build a greater momentum onto making the world a greater place for people who live with a disability.

A place where there is no stigmatization, only acceptance and compassion for all that those with a disability have to offer to society, both personally and professionally.
Quiz Time!

How informed are you about persons with disabilities around the world? United Nations Enable has put together seven questions to test your knowledge!

Feel free to share and test your colleagues and friends!

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/IDPD2014

It is my hope that people across the world will continue to look at ways to strengthen their focus on the ability in disability. The information I’ve shared above and what you will find on the United Nations Enable website is merely the foundation in helping create a better understanding of just some of the challenges that those with a disability face on a regular basis. Through understanding this better, we can all work hand in hand in being part of the solution that supports the dignity, rights and well being of persons with disabilities.