General News
International Day of Persons with Disabilities, 3 December 2012
International Day of Persons with Disabilities, 3 December 2012
- Theme: Removing barriers to create an inclusive and accessible society for all
Message of the Secretary-General for the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, 3 December 2012
This year's Paralympic Games were a reminder of the immense potential of persons with disabilities to soar and to inspire. One girl wrote to a Paralympic gold-medal champion, "Watching as you overcome the difficulties of life, reaching for new victories and new heights in sports, I derive strength and inspiration."
Persons with disabilities have a significant positive impact on society, and their contributions can be even greater if we remove barriers to their participation. With more than one billion persons with disabilities in our world today, this is more important than ever.
My United Nations Messenger of Peace focusing on this issue, the legendary superstar Stevie Wonder, embodies the spirit of service to others. After playing a spectacular UN Day concert at our Headquarters this year, he said, "I haven't even touched one iota of what I want to do for and through the United Nations to help heal this world."
Please download the Message of the Secretary-General for the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, 3 December 2012 from: http://www.dpiap.org/news/doc/idpd2012_sg_message_12_12_03.doc
Background
Accessibility and inclusion of persons with disabilities are fundamental rights recognized by the CRPD and are not only objectives, but also pre-requisites for the enjoyment of other rights. The CRPD (Article 9, accessibility) seeks to enable persons with disabilities to live independently and participate fully in all aspects of life and development. It calls upon States Parties to take appropriate measures to ensure that persons with disabilities have access to all aspects of society, on an equal basis with others, as well as to identify and eliminate obstacles and barriers to accessibility.
Please read the full document from: http://www.dpiap.org/news/detail.php?newsid=0000661&typeid=01
Source: http://www.un.org/disabilities/default.asp?id=1597
Additional Information
Country: BLANK
Website: http://www.un.org/disabilities/default.asp?id=1597
Email: N/A
Phone: N/A
Contact Person: N/A
Source: Secretary-General (United Nation)
When: 04/12/2012
