December 3 - International Day of Persons with Disabilities: History and Traditions

Every year, Russia and other countries celebrate the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, dedicated to supporting people with disabilities. In 2024, it falls on Tuesday. Read about the history and tradition of this day in the Izvestia article.

International Day of Persons with Disabilities - 2024: the history of the establishment of the holiday

The International Day of Persons with Disabilities was officially established by the United Nations (UN) at the 47th session in 1992.

Its emergence was the result of work on the implementation of the program of the UN International Decade of Disabled Persons, which lasted from 1983 to 1992 and was aimed at improving their living conditions and ensuring equal rights in the social, economic and political spheres.

The UN proposed to use this date to remind society of the need to integrate people with disabilities, that they should be able to lead a full life on an equal footing with the rest of society. The main goal of the holiday is to create conditions under which all people, regardless of their physical abilities, will be able to realize their potential and participate in society. These conditions include both the creation of accessible infrastructure and a change in public attitudes towards people with disabilities.

International Day of Persons with Disabilities - 2024: traditions of the holiday on December 3

As part of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, experts, public figures and representatives of government agencies discuss the integration of people with disabilities into public life, their access to education, employment and medical care.

In Russia, round tables and public discussions are held on this day with the participation of experts, members of non-governmental organizations and authorities to discuss issues of social adaptation, accessibility of the urban environment, employment and education.

Concerts and festivals are held in major cities, where people with disabilities perform, demonstrating their talents in art, music and sports. Various exhibitions of works of art created by people with disabilities are organized.

How International Day of Persons with Disabilities is celebrated in other countries

The International Day of Persons with Disabilities is important for the world community. On this day, information campaigns are held to change the perception of this problem in society. Mass media broadcast programs devoted to the rights of disabled people, their successes and achievements.

Fundraising events are held to raise funds to support people with disabilities, improve their living conditions, and provide access to rehabilitation equipment.

In some countries, the day is used to demonstrate progress in creating barrier-free infrastructure that allows people with disabilities to move more easily and use services on an equal basis with other citizens.

In Europe, campaigns to promote equal opportunities for people with disabilities in education and employment are popular. At the level of the European Union, strategies are being developed to improve access to jobs and social services for people with disabilities.

In the United States and Canada, special attention is paid to improving the legal framework for the protection of the rights of this group, and conferences are held to discuss the issues of accessibility of public places and transportation for persons with disabilities.

In Asian and African countries, special attention is paid to the issues of medicine and rehabilitation, and to improving the level of social protection of the disabled.

Earlier, Izvestia reported on the history and traditions of World Health Day.