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The International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) was established in 1992 by United Nations General Assembly Resolution 47/3. The purpose of the Day’s celebration is to increase awareness of disability issues and to rally support for the dignity, rights, and general welfare of people with disabilities.
This year’s theme is “Transformative solutions for inclusive development: the role of innovation in fuelling an accessible and equitable world”.
The global celebration of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities in 2022 will centre on the broad issue of innovation and transformative solutions for inclusive development, covering the following thematic topics in three different interactive dialogues:
- Innovation for disability inclusive development in employment (SDG8): This dialogue will cover the connections between employment, knowledge, and skills needed to find job in a cutting-edge, quickly evolving technology environment for everyone, as well as how assistive technologies can improve accessibility to employment and become standard in the workplace.
- Innovation for disability inclusive development in reducing inequality (SDG10): This dialogue will include new ideas, useful tools, and best practices to lessen disparities in the public and commercial sectors, which are interested in fostering diversity in the workplace and are disability inclusive.
- Innovation for disability inclusive development: sport as an exemplar case: Sport serves as a good practice example and a hub for innovation, employment, and equity in a sector where all of these factors come together.
How to Observe International Day of Person with Disabilities?
- Become an advocate for those with disabilities: Take a look at your neighbourhood and the locations you frequent. Ask the store owner, mall management, or your elected authorities to add accommodations if there aren’t any already. The rule applies.
- Help out where you can: Ask the nurses at an outpatient clinic if they are aware of someone who needs assistance, or inquire at your neighbourhood senior centre or housing. Offer to assist. Sometimes, basic actions for you delivering a prescription, dropping off the mail, or picking up a few groceries would mean the world to someone with a disability.
- Be kind to one another: You are aware that you occasionally have a short fuse when you are tired, stressed, or in a hurry. Avoid yelling at or verbally abusing someone who is holding you up. It’s possible that they have a disability. If that’s the case, their issues are generally temporary whereas their lives are always that way. Similarly, don’t let any inappropriate humor they display ruin your day. When this happens, a smile can make everything better.
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International Day of Person with Disabilities: Importance
- It increases understanding of those with disabilities: In our culture, people with impairments occasionally feel invisible. People barely notice them as they rush past them during their daily activities. Today, make an effort to look them in the eye, smile, and make yourself available to help if they seem to be having trouble.
- We are more aware of the challenges faced by those with disabilities: The prized parking spot in front of the pharmacy, the sloped curbs at intersections with the textured mats in place so people with vision impairments can feel the curb end, the buttons to open doors automatically, even the elevators on the Subway — all of these features are there to make a difficult life for a person with disabilities a little bit easier. Today, take note of these accommodations, and then take note of how few there are.
- It’s more than just a day; it’s the law: In order for businesses and governments to abide by the law, the Americans with Disabilities Act was designed to outline the rights of individuals with disabilities and the design requirements that must be met. Anyone would benefit from familiarity with the ADA because it is quite clear about the requirements that must be met.
How to Celebrate International Day of Person with Disabilities 2022 in the Workplace?
Host a Training Session
The greatest method to start real change in your business is to arrange a training session on disabilities. Anyone can experience a disability, so it’s crucial to make sure every employee is aware of its significance in order to foster an inclusive workplace.
- Enhance Customer Service: Employees who are aware of various ailments would be able to better assist clients who might be suffering from such disorders.
- Understanding the Law’s Requirements Educate yourself on the Equality Act of 2010 to lessen the possibility of legal repercussions or unfair treatment.
- Encourage Open Communication: Since people with disabilities must deal with their conditions on a daily basis, training can help people’s wellbeing by encouraging open communication.
- Transform Perceptions: Through an educational training session that educates your able-bodied personnel, you can lessen unconscious bias and misinformation.
- Verify Disability of Staff: A training session demonstrates to disabled employees the legitimacy of their sentiments, problems, and experiences.
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Recognize Neurodiversity
Neurodiversity is one of the most prevalent invisible disabilities, thus it’s crucial to acknowledge it at work. These folks have a distinct perspective on the world because of the way their brains are wired in comparison to their able-bodied peers. Speakers with expertise in neurodiversity frequently appear at business gatherings to promote the field’s many benefits and eliminate stereotypes.
Examples of neurodiversity include:
- ADHD
- Autism
- Dyspraxia
- Dyslexia
- Dyscalculia
- Dysgraphia
- Tourette’s Syndrome
Natural differences in the human brain that affect cognitive and intellectual functions are referred to as neurodiversity.
Invest in a Speaker for the International Day of the Disabled
Hire a speaker for World Disability Day who will raise awareness of disabilities and whose life experiences will connect with your staff. These motivating individuals overcome obstacles both physical and mental to succeed in their respective fields, making for incredibly compelling speeches at business gatherings.
Improve Accessibility & Inclusion
Several typical obstacles in the workplace can make it difficult for impaired personnel to give their best job. It’s critical to accommodate employees of all abilities and take into account how a disabled person can be impacted by your workplace. This includes providing wheelchair ramps, screen readers, braille signage, and accessible restrooms. On this International Day of Disabled Persons, make your workplace accessible to all team members.
Examples of Accessibility in the Workplace
- Wheelchair Ramps/Lifts
- Quiet Rooms for Noise Sensitivity
- Braille Signage
- Adaptive Desks & Chairs
- Invest in Digital Accessibility Tools
Make a Promise
Since it is impossible to eliminate all of the world’s inequities in a single day, this World Disability Day, make a sincere commitment to celebrate diversity, value accessibility, and assist your impaired employees. In the future, take advice from the experts and make real adjustments to your workplace that will help your impaired employees.