December 3 – World Disabled Day

PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi

3 December, World Disabled Day is known as “International Day of Persons with Disabilities”, the day aims to promote an awareness of disability issues and the fundamental rights of persons with disabilities. On this Day WHO joins partners to celebrate “a day for all”.

In 2020, the UN’s theme was “Building Back Better: toward a disability-inclusive, accessible and sustainable post COVID-19 World”. This theme reflects a growing understanding that disability is part of the human condition. Almost everyone will be temporarily or permanently impaired at some point in life. Despite this, few countries have adequate mechanisms in place to respond fully to the needs of people with disabilities. WHO supported this theme by underlining the importance of fostering an inclusive culture and responding to the urgent needs of people with disability in all aspects of society, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. A day dedicated to persons with disabilities is marked every year on December 3, to promote and spread awareness about the rights and well-being of these special people among us. In a pandemic situation, persons with disabilities are the worst hit as they get even more left out in the “new normal”.

On the World Disability Day Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter and wrote: “The resilience and fortitude of persons with disabilities inspire us. Under the Accessible India initiative, numerous measures have been taken that ensure there is a positive change in the lives of our Divyang sisters and brothers.” PM Modi also said we must keep working towards ensuring better future for persons with disabilities by taking steps “in line with the year’s UN theme of “Building Back Better: toward a disability-inclusive, accessible and sustainable post COVID-19 World”.