World Health Organization (WHO) – “A Day For all”
International Day of People With Disabilities (United Nations) – “Not all disabilities are visible”
Since 1992 – December 3 has been promoted by the United Nations, as the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. It is celebrated to support the dignity, rights and well-being of persons living with disabilities, visible and invisible.
According to WHO’s World Report on Disability more than 1 billion people are living with a disability, and approximately 450 million are living with a mental or neurological condition. It is estimated that about two-thirds of these will not seek professional or medical help – mostly due to stigma and discrimination. The report also indicates that one (1) in 160 children are identified as being on the autism spectrum.
In July 2019 The Accessible Canada Act came into force with extensive and inclusive consultations from disability communities. Canada is working very hard to ensure that the accessibility law is helping to create workplaces and services that treat all Canadians fairly and equitably and will give everyone the opportunity to participate fully in society.
As members of UVAE, let us affirm that we will do all we can to ensure that our brothers and sisters suffering from a visible or invisible disability , are able to fully and equitably participate in all aspects of our society, and let us make a commitment to speak out loudly against any injustices and discrimination.
In solidarity!
UVAE Human Rights Committee