International Day of Persons with Disabilities
The annual observance of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) was proclaimed in 1992, by the United Nations General Assembly resolution 47/3. Celebrated on 3 december around the world, IDPD mobilizes support for critical issues relating to the inclusion of persons with disabilities, promotes awareness-raising about disability issues and draws attention to the benefits of an inclusive and accessible society for all. UN agencies, civil society organizations, academic institutions and the private sector are encouraged to support IDPD by collaborating with organizations for people with disabilities to arrange events and activities.
MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL
"On this International Day of Persons with Disabilities, I call on the entire international community to mobilize so that persons with disabilities may actively contribute to the response to the crisis and to the generation of new possibilities."
— Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO, on the occasion of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities
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Message by Xing Qu, Deputy Director-General of UNESCO
On the occasion of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on 3 December 2020, on behalf of UNESCO’s Director-General Audrey Azoulay, Xing Qu, Deputy Director-General of UNESCO, shares a message of support for persons with disabilities around the world.
IDPD's celebrations in 2020
UNESCO will mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities with a week-long programme from 25 November to 3 December 2020.
This year's theme is "Building back better: towards an inclusive, accessible and sustainable post COVID-19 world by, for and with persons with disabilities".
People with disabilities are disproportionately affected by the health, social and economic consequences of the global COVID-19 pandemic. In this context, this year's theme emphasizes the importance of strengthening our collective efforts for universal access to essential services, including immediate health and social protection, education, digital infrastructure, accessible information, employment and other socio-cultural opportunities in order to ensure that persons with disabilities are not left behind in times of crisis and beyond.
New Publication
Accessible Digital Documentary Heritage: Guidelines for the preparation of documentary heritage in accessible formats for persons with disabilities
Marking the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on 3 December 2020, UNESCO has released a new publication aiming at assisting stakeholders in the preparation of documentary heritage in accessible formats for persons with disabilities.
The publication, Accessible Documentary Heritage, offers a set of guidelines for parties involved in the digitization of heritage documents, including librarians, archivists, museums workers, curators, and other stakeholders in carefully planning digital platforms and contents with a view to incorporating disability and accessibility aspects.
What does UNESCO do for persons with disabilities
News
Laureates from Colombia and Qatar to receive UNESCO/Emir Jaber al Ahmad al Jaber al Sabah Prize for Digital Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities
Inclusion in education: Turning commitments into action for children with disabilities
UNESCO launches new publication on accessible documentary heritage
UNESCO to commemorate the International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2020
BACKGROUND MATERIALS
- United Nations General Assembly resolution 47/3
- Accessible Digital Office Document (ADOD) Project
- Learning for All: guidelines on the inclusion of learners with disabilities in open and distance learning
- UNESCO Recommendation on Open Educational Resources (OER)
- Previous winners of UNESCO/Emir Jaber Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah Prize
- Previous celebrations of the Day: 2019 - 2018