There are about 1 billion people today in the world with some form of disability. The world has been observing the International Day of Persons with disabilities since 1992. The International Day of the Disabled was established with aim to promote an understanding of persons with disability problems and create support for the dignity, rights and well being of these persons.
It also helps awareness of the benefits of integrating persons with disabilities in all aspect of social, political, economic and cultural life, as they frequently face physical, social, attitudinal and economic challenges. Many of persons with disability live in developing counties, and disability accounts for twenty percent of poverty worldwide, they also account for the world’s largest minority group.
This year’s observance provide the opportunity to further raise awareness of disability as a cross-cutting development issue. The theme of this year’s commemoration, “Sustainable Development: The promise of technology” is timely, as it marks the conclusion of the period of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGS) in 2015 and the launching of the new development framework of sustainable development goals (SDGs).
The 2014 commemoration of International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) will work to harness the power of technology to promote inclusion and accessibility to help realize the full and equal participation of persons with disabilities in society and shape the future of sustainable development for all!
Three sub-themes chosen will focus on the promise of technology in:
• Disability-Inclusive Sustainable Development Goals
• Disaster Risk Reduction and Emergency Responses
• Creating Enabling Work Environments
