“As the world recovers from the pandemic, we must ensure that the aspirations and rights of persons with disabilities are included and accounted for in an inclusive, accessible and sustainable post COVID-19 world.” – António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations
What is IDPwD?
International Day of Persons with Disabilities, or IDPwD, is a global holiday proclaimed by the United Nations in 1992. The UN defines IDPwD as a day to “promote the rights and well-being of those with disabilities in all spheres of society and development.” The annual observance of IDPwD is meant to spread awareness of the disadvantages people with disabilities face in many aspects of life including politics, economics and culture.
IDPwD 2020
Each year the UN announces a theme in accordance with IDPwD. The 2020 theme for IDPwd is ‘Not All Disabilities are Visible,’ which focuses on understanding and destigmatizing the many disabilities that are not physical including mental illness, chronic pain or disease, diabetes, learning differences and various cognitive dysfunctions.The all-encompassing concept of this year’s theme aligns with the holiday’s goal in helping to progress society in a more inclusive way through the removal of all physical, technological and attitudinal barriers for disabled people.
Statistics You Should Know:
80 percent of those living with disabilities live in developing countries
1 in every 5 women are likely to experience life with a disability
1 in every 4 adults in the U.S. has a disability, including vision impairments, hearing, mobility and cognition
The poverty rate for adults with disabilities is more than twice the rate of adults with no disabilities (27 percent to 12 percent)
2 in 5 non-hispanic American Indians/Alaska Natives live with a disability
Almost 40 percent of African Americans with disabilities live in poverty
African Americans and Latinos with disabilities are most likely to be food insecure
1 in 9 working-age adults have a disability that puts them at risk of exclusion in the economy
At age 18-20, African Americans are slightly more likely to have a disability than Non-Hispanic Whites
39 percent of Non-Hispanic Whites with disabilities, who have less than a high school degree, live in poverty compared to 51 percent of African Americans with disabilities who have the same level of education
Ways to Show Support
There are many ways to show your support to people with disabilities, and the disabled community, in everyday life. Treating people with disabilities as equals, understanding those with disabilities have varying levels of independence, complying with someone’s right to privacy and confidentiality and never assuming someone is struggling or needs help are all general rules that should be followed. Donating to disabled related charities is another way to show support and contribute to the fight of equal rights and protections of disabled people. Here are a few:
The Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN)- ASAN is a nonprofit organization run by and for people with autism. According to the network’s homepage, ASAN works “to advance civil rights, support self-advocacy in all its forms, and improve public perceptions of autism”. ASAN calls out hate speech and stigma against people with autism, helps autistic adults become employed and develop leadership training for autistic self-advocates.
The Southampton Fresh Air Home (SHFAH)- SHFAH is an overnight camp for children with physical disabilities. SFAH accommodates children from all spectrums of the disability scale and provide services found at typical summer camps such as swimming and sports, and modify them to be more accessible to their needs. Donations made to SHFAH go towards scholarship funds for children who cannot afford the cost of attendance.
Dancing Dreams– Dancing Dreams is a nonprofit dance program for girls with disabilities. There are currently three locations in the New York City area: Bayside (Queens), Upper East Side (Manhattan), and Plainview (Long Island). Over 180 teenagers are enrolled in their Leadership Program and although there is no charge of admission, charitable contributions are always accepted.
Hotlines for disabled people in crisis, or anyone who may need support
Americans With Disabilities (A.D.A) 1-800-949-4232
Americans with Disabilities Act Information and Assistance Hotline 1-800-514-0301
International 1-202-541-0301
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-8255)