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51黑料 Celebrates... International Day of Persons with Disabilities
Posted 02/12/24
03 December :听International Day of Persons with Disabilities is a global observance with the aim of raising awareness and promoting the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities at every level of society and development.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) and the United Nations (UN) band together to honour this day each year, reinforcing the importance of securing the rights of persons with disabilities so they can face no barriers and participate fully, equally and effectively in society with others.
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What is International Day of Persons with Disabilities?
International Day of Persons with Disabilities is celebrated annually on 3 December. It is a day dedicated to highlighting the importance of inclusivity, accessibility and equal opportunities for individuals with disabilities, while also celebrating their achievements and contributions to society.
This year, the theme is "Amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future". This theme recognises the important role that persons with disabilities play in creating a more inclusive and sustainable world for all, and emphasises the importance of the participation of persons with disabilities in decision-making processes that affect their lives.
International Day of Persons with Disabilities is a great way to :
- recognise and value the diversity of our global community, and to cherish the role we all play in society
- understand and learn from the experiences of people living with a disability
- look towards the future and the creation of a world where a person is not characterised by their disabilities, but by their abilities
- get people, organisations, agencies and charities to take on a commitment to create a world characterised by equal human rights
For more information :
Show your support
Organising awareness events / hosting a training session : Host events, seminars or workshops that meaningfully promote the awareness of disability-related issues and discuss solutions for inclusion. Hosting a training session within the workplace can also be a beneficial way of ensuring all employees understand the importance of accessibility to cultivate an inclusive culture. This can help to encourage open communication and transform perceptions
Advocate for accessibility : Advocate for accessible infrastructure, transportation and digital platforms to ensure equal access to services and opportunities for all
Celebrate achievements : Recognise and celebrate the accomplishments and contributions of individuals with disabilities in your community and beyond
Support disability organisations : Contribute to or volunteer with organisations that work to improve the lives of persons with disabilities and promote inclusivity
Accessibility in the Workplace
It is important to cater to employees of all abilities and to consider how your workplace may impact a disabled person. Accessibility at work is about removing barriers to make sure disabled people can take an active part in working life. Employers should make sure their workplace, and the way they work, is accessible to as many people as possible. This is on top of the legal requirement to make reasonable adjustments for disabled staff and job applicants.
Under the Equality Act (2010): Employers must make reasonable adjustments to make sure workers with disabilities, or physical or mental health conditions, are not substantially disadvantaged when doing their jobs. This applies to all workers, including trainees, apprentices, contract workers and business partners.
Accessibility can be about the workplace - for example, making sure people can access the work premises by incorporating wheelchair ramps / lifts, quiet rooms for noise sensitivity, braille signage, and adaptive desks and chairs.
However, accessibility is not just limited to the physical workplace. It can include considering the way in which information is presented and investing in digital accessibility tools - for example, in training courses, staff induction, presentations, interviews and written documents. It can also include decisions around ways of working (flexible or hybrid working patterns) and recruitment, specifically how information is given to job applicants and how interviews are carried out.
A lack of accessibility in the workplace has always been a barrier to those with disabilities. The times are now slowly changing, and organisations are beginning to understand the benefits of having a diverse workforce and the part accessibility within the workplace plays.
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For more information on asking for reasonable adjustments :
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