International Day of Disabled Persons

International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) context and theme 2023:

The theme this year is "United in action to rescue and achieve the SDGs for, with and by persons with disabilities".

The 2023 global observance to commemorate the International Day of Persons with Disabilities will be around the overarching theme of innovation and transformative solutions for inclusive development, covering in three different interactive dialogues the following thematic topics:

- Innovation for disability-inclusive development in employment (SDG8): this dialogue will discuss the linkages between employment, knowledge and skills required to access employment in an innovative, rapidly changing technological landscape to all and how assistive technologies can increase accessibility to employment and be mainstreamed in the workplace.

- Innovation for disability-inclusive development in reducing inequality (SDG10): this dialogue will discuss innovations, practical tools and good practices to reduce inequalities in both public and private sectors, which are disability-inclusive and interested in promoting diversity in the workplace.

- Innovation for disability-inclusive development: sport as an exemplar case: a sector where all of these aspects coalesce; sport as a good practice example and a site of innovation, employment and equity.

Background
The annual observance of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) on 3 December was proclaimed in 1992 by the United Nations General Assembly resolution 47/3. The observance of the Day aims to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities.

Nepal needs a disable friendly infrastructure- some examples from across the Nation

Asha Sunar, 15, lives in a mountainous district of Nepal. She can't get to the second floor of her school because she has polio on both legs. Her school is not disabled-friendly and she has limited access to her school.

Asha Sunar's life is even more difficult in the post-covid world. Life has become even more difficult for people with disabilities, such as Asha, due to Covid's adverse effects this year.

There are millions of other people like Asha, 15 per cent of the world's population live with some form of disability and do not have equal access to most of the manmade physical structures.

Kashi Sah of Mahottari district is blind. According to him, People with disabilities do not have equal access to many such offices and structures.

"I don't understand the news coming on TV and I don't understand the serials no matter how much I like them," says Kashi.

When I see others laughing while watching comedy programs, I also like to understand and laugh, but I can't. Baglung district's deaf sister Vinita DC said in a conversation with Hamro Patro. It is important to make society and the world disability-friendly. Inclusive means not only language, culture, and geography but also making disabled people successful in the pace of development by bringing them together easily.

If people with disabilities are given equal opportunity in a positive environment, they can face any challenges. Whether it's a writer like Jhamak Kumari or Helen Keller or Stephen Hawkins. World Disability Day has been celebrated around the world on December 3 every year since 1992. Today, various programs and seminars, rallies are organized, slogans of equality and encouragement resound and it is hoped that these voices will resound throughout the year.

Today, the positive and achievement stories of people with disabilities are observed and listened to by the world community through various mediums, while on the other hand, they are also lobbied for a disability-friendly society and structure.

Friends with disabilities need love, harmony, equal care, and encouragement. May their self-confidence always remain and may their continuous meaningful participation in creative and structural work be sustained. Self-esteem and a sense of equality develop only when one does not have to depend on others for one's livelihood. The government, the international community, and non-governmental organizations also focus on creating livelihood and income-generating activities for disabled friends, which is a very good thing.

By enabling disabled people to make a living by doing skill-based business, they should not be deprived of the warm light of education due to disability, get equal treatment in society, and have an easy health care access system.

Happy December 3rd, this special day brings energy and solidarity for a better world.
-Suyog Dhakal