International Day of Persons with Disabilities 3 December, 2023 - Theme, History & Importance

International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) is a global healthcare event observed every year on the 3rd of December for the past 23 years (since 1998). On this day, various organisations, both global and local, come together to promote the rights, dignity, and well-being of people with disabilities at every level of society. Additionally, it also aims to raise awareness of the situations of persons with disabilities in all aspects of political, social, economic, and cultural life.

Necessity for the awareness of International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD)

According to World Health Organization (WHO) 2021, more than 1 billion (15% of the world's population) people are disabled, with 80% living in developing countries, and this figure is expected to rise, owing in part to population aging and an increase in the prevalence of noncommunicable diseases. Up to 190 million (3.8%) people aged 15 and older are experiencing significant difficulties (barriers) in functioning and requiring frequent health care services.

Barriers to healthcare:

When trying to get medical services, people with disabilities face many barriers such as:

• Attitudinal barriers: Many health-care providers do not have policies in place to address the needs of people with disabilities, and often have inadequate awareness and understanding of their rights. Women have additional challenges accessing sexual and reproductive health services and information.
• Physical barriers: Health-related services and events are frequently located far from where the majority of people reside or in areas without readily available transportation. Building entrance stairs, as well as any services or activities on floors without elevator access, are inaccessible. For those with disabilities, fixed-height furniture, such as exam beds and chairs, might be challenging to utilise.
• Communication barriers: The lack of written materials or sign language interpreters at health services is a major barrier to people with hearing impairments receiving health treatments. People who are blind or have low vision may have difficulty receiving health information or services in inaccessible formats.
• Financial barriers: More than half of disabled people in low-income nations lack access to affordable healthcare. It has been demonstrated that many disabled people cannot afford the money required to see a doctor, as well as the associated costs for transportation and medications.

Taking the aforementioned into consideration, there is an urgent need to expand disability inclusion throughout all levels of the health system, particularly basic care. It is crucial for governments, public and private sectors (policy makers) to collaboratively find innovative solutions for and with disabled persons to address the barriers and to make their world a more accessible and equitable place.

International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2023 theme

This year 2023, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities Theme is “United in action to rescue and achieve the SDGs for, with and by persons with disabilities”. The theme focuses on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which is adopted by United Nation member states since 2015. The SDGs are 17 goals that nations seek to achieve by 2030 in order to make the world a better and more equitable place for all. It is essential that persons with disabilities participate in this effort and have a large role in what happens.

International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) theme for the past 5 years

• International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2022 Theme: Transformative solutions for inclusive development: the role of innovation in fuelling an accessible and equitable world
• International Day of Disabled Persons 2021 theme: Leadership and participation of persons with disabilities toward an inclusive, accessible and sustainable post-COVID-19 world.
• International Day of Disabled Persons 2020 theme: Building Back Better: toward a disability-inclusive, accessible and sustainable post COVID-19 World
• International Day of Disabled Persons 2019 theme: Promoting the participation of persons with disabilities and their leadership: taking action on the 2030 Development Agenda
• International Day of Disabled Persons 2018 theme: Empowering persons with disabilities and ensuring inclusiveness and equality
• International Day of Disabled Persons 2017 theme: Transformation towards sustainable and resilient society for all

History of IDPD

The annual observance of this day began in 1992, after it was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly resolution 47/3. In 2006, the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) was also adopted. It aims to work towards creating equal opportunities for persons with disabilities through the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development to “leave no one behind."

Department of General Medicine