According to the WHO, 15 per cent of the world’s population, or more than 1 billion people, are living with disability. Disability is a condition where a person is not able to use any body part properly. It can be any kind of impairment like physical impairment, , cognitive impairment, sensory impairment, intellectual impairment, and mental illness.

On December 3, every year National Disability Day or International Day of persons with disabilities is celebrated to spread awareness and understanding of disabilities. People with disabilities are most excluded in society. Thus, to increase awareness of the situation of persons with disabilities in every aspect of political, social, economic, and cultural life, the United Nations proclaimed International Day of Disabled Persons in 1992.

National Disability Day 2020 theme

The year 2020 had caused difficulties for everyone. Disabled persons who are under normal conditions are not treated well,  who get less access to health care, education, employment, and in the community, this COVID 19 pandemic has deepened their grief. That’s why, Building Back Better: toward a disability-inclusive, accessible and sustainable post-COVID-19 World is the International Day of Disabled Persons 2020 theme.

International Day of Disabled Persons theme of last ten years

2019: Promoting the participation of persons with disabilities and their leadership: taking action on the 2030 Development Agenda

2018: Empowering persons with disabilities and ensuring inclusiveness and equality

2017: Transformation towards sustainable and resilient society for all

2016: Achieving 17 Goals for the Future We Want

2015: Inclusion matters: access and empowerment of people of all abilities

2014: Sustainable Development: The Promise of Technology

2013: Break Barriers, Open Doors: for an inclusive society and development for all

2012: Removing barriers to create an inclusive and accessible society for all

2011: Together for a better world for all: Including persons with disabilities in development

2010: Keeping the promise: Mainstreaming disability in the Millennium Development Goals towards 2015 and beyond

Information source: https://www.un.org/en/observances/day-of-persons-with-disabilities