United in Action

“If we are to achieve a richer culture, we must weave one in which each diverse human gift will find a fitting place.”- Margaret Meade. The annual observance of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) on 3 December was proclaimed in 1992 by the United Nations General Assembly. The observance of the Day aims to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities. The day also highlights the importance of inclusivity, accessibility, and equal opportunities for individuals with disabilities, while also celebrating their achievements and contributions to society. The day is about promoting the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities at every level of society and development, and to raise awareness of the situation of persons with disabilities in all aspects of political, social, economic, and cultural life. However, given the multiple crises we face today, oftentimes the rights of the disabled community are not given priority and this should be of concern to everyone. The United Nations theme for the International Day of Persons with Disabilities is United in action to rescue and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for, with and by persons with disabilities. The United Nations states that preliminary findings from the forthcoming UN Disability and Development Report 2023 indicate that the world is even more off-track in meeting several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for persons with disabilities. Of the one billion population of persons with disabilities, 80% live in developing countries. An estimated 46% of older people aged 60 years and over are people with disabilities. One in every five women is likely to experience disability in her life, while one in every ten children is a child with a disability. It is important that the international community presents a united stance in reinforcing the importance of securing the rights of people with disabilities, so they can participate fully, equally and effectively in society with others, and face no barriers in all aspects of their lives. Promoting Disability Rights in the Caribbean . In the Caribbean, there are over 1 million persons living with some form of disability this amounts to more than the population of certain countries in the sub-region. Across the Caribbean, persons with disabilities face discrimination and exclusion. Social exclusion is caused by underlying systemic barriers that limit the meaningful participation of persons with disabilities in social, economic and political life. Persons with disabilities have lower outcomes in education, employment and health compared to other population groups. According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) only 10 per cent of persons with disabilities in the Caribbean are employed. This leads to persons with disabilities more likely to live in poverty and experience higher rates of violence. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic further compounded this situation, deepening the challenges faced by persons with disabilities. UNESCO adds, that meaningful inclusion and participation of persons with disabilities is crucial for the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, with the effort of leaving no one behind. Advancing legislation for, with and by persons with disabilities in the Caribbean is also necessary to protect and promote human rights, in line with the international commitments made through the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. In Pursuit of Inclusivity and Disability Awareness. Too often the narrative and discussions surrounding disability awareness and rights is rooted in a perspective from the able-minded community and this is problematic. We often view disability as a problem and as such we fail to see the abilities of those individuals who are so labeled. It is rather unfortunate that in many societies persons with disabilities continue to face social and financial isolation in addition to the other forms of barriers that hinder their full potential. One burning issue within the disabled community is that of access to public buildings. In too many instances there are no ramps for wheelchairs or for designated parking. For example, in many of our schools and churches there is great difficulty for those who use a wheelchair to gain access to these buildings; in fact access is almost impossible given that ramps are not available. Much more work is needed in these areas to ensure inclusivity and access. There is need for a cultural shift that will inevitably lead to the acceptance that we all have a disability. This paradigm shift is urgently needed in order to foster a culture of inclusivity and promote disability awareness. Societies need to move away from being reactionary to being proactive so as to usher in a culture of inclusivity. We all have strengths and weaknesses and as such we must all work together in ensuring that the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals are achieved by 2030. Do we need more global effort? Most definitely! More global effort is required to advocate for the rights and dignity of individuals with disabilities. Governments need to redouble their efforts in ensuring and safeguarding a community of inclusivity through the removal of physical, technological and attitudinal barriers for people with disability. The United Nations Disability Inclusion Strategy provides the foundation for sustainable and transformative progress on disability inclusion through all pillars of the work of the United Nations: peace and security, human rights, and development. It is critical that on this International Day for Persons with Disabilities that governments identify best policy practices to promote human rights and tackle intersecting forms of discrimination against people with disabilities. It is only when governments ensure the rights of persons with disabilities; our world will move closer to upholding the core values and principles of the United Nations Charter. In the words of Nido Qubein, your present circumstances don’t determine where you can go; they merely determine where you start. Wayne Campbell is an educator and social commentator with an interest in development policies as they affect culture and or gender issues. waykam@yahoo.com @WayneCamo © #IDPWD #InclusionMatters #DisabilityRights