International Day of Persons with Disabilities – Tyarna Agyekum

In 1992, the United Nations declared the 3rd of December as the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. Since then, the day has served the purpose of promoting disability rights and reflecting on the social, cultural, economic and political lived experience of persons with disabilities. 

Furthermore, the acknowledgement of International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPWD) is beneficial in improving the lives of people with disabilities, as it is a catalyst for conversations around the ways that society can make change to better the lives of people with disabilities at work, school, home and in social spaces. 

An observance such as this one is majorly relevant because it considers the complexity of disability, without a focus on a particular disability, it considers those who’s impairment may be cognitive, developmental, intellectual, mental, physical and/or sensory. 

Here at You Press, we understand the salience of IDPWD, as we pride ourselves on being a diverse and inclusive organisation, in terms of our staff, projects and practices. 

Most recently, we have partnered with Aliya Ahmed, a developmental therapist who founded senhomelearning, which is an organisation that focuses on educating parents of children with disabilities on practices they can implement in their homes to aid their child’s cognitive development. 

In the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, Aliya was conscious of the potential difficulties parents of children with disabilities were faced with. To be of help, she used her social media platforms to promote different methods, techniques and routines parents could use with their children to get through lockdown. 

Notably, You Press are in continued support of organisations such as senhomelearning, as we recognise how impactful they can be in the lives of those with disabilities. 

Each year, IDPWD has a particular theme. This year (2021) the theme is: ‘Leadership and participation of persons with disabilities toward an inclusive, accessible and sustainable post-COVID 19 world’. This theme was selected to call attention to the complications that COVID-19 brought to people with disabilities. For example, many faced difficulties accessing their routine check ups, support facilities and accessibility services. 

As we transition to a post COVID-19 world, it is important to review the barriers that persons with disabilities may still face, such as less access to in-person support and limited services. Additionally, we must examine ways to lessen the detriment of a pandemic on the lives of persons with disabilities in the future. 

We encourage our readers to join us as we acknowledge International Day of Persons with Disabilities and participate in helping improve the lives of persons with disabilities. 

Firstly, you can begin by reviewing the points raised in this article about disability rights, lived experiences, complications of COVID-19 for persons with disabilities and transitioning into a post COVID-19 world. Moreover, you could attempt to complete some of the following actions:

  • Make a social media post acknowledging International Day of Person’s of Disabilities; 
  • Ask a person you know with a disability how you can be of help to them;
  • Donate, volunteer and support disability charities, organisation and clubs, such as senhomelearning;
  • Follow social media pages that discuss disability;
  • Educate others on the importance of supporting persons with disabilities.

Written by Tyarna Agyekum