Comments on: Video – What Does International Day of People with Disability Mean to You?

By: Sacha Chillis

Sacha Chillis — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 07:19:12 +0000

I’m attempting to view this in the 2.4.2.5 rc of the seamonkey web browser and the header looks rather cut up. You should probably take a look.

By: Maria Karagiozakis

Maria Karagiozakis — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 04:25:45 +0000

International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPwD) is a chance for disability and human rights activists from different cultures, religions and languages around the world to share one day to raise awareness of disability discrimination and call for change.

IDPwD can close the gap of understanding of disability issues between the disability community and the non-disability community. The different lenses with which disability is viewed by these two communities is growing wider and deeper. On the one hand, persons with disabilities are advocating for human rights and equal opportunity. Social attitudes and physical barriers in the environment, rather than the impairments themselves, that are disabling. One the other hand, persons without disability view disability through the charity-based approach. The non-disability community views impairments as disabling; that is, impairments act as a barrier to participation by persons with disability in society.

IDPwD represents a day in which the disability and non-disability community can come together to understand disability from a human rights-based approach (rather than a charity-based approach) and to ensure everyone understands that attitudinal and physical barriers (rather than impairments) are the greatest obstacles to participation in society by persons with disabilities.

Persons with disabilities are friends, family, co-workers, mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters and children – they have a right to be part of the community, to be provided with equal opportunity and to live a life free of discrimination.

It is also important to note that the number of persons with disabilities is likely to increase. Soldiers are returning from Iraq and Afghanistan with disabilities, children are developing mental illness as a result of conflict, civilians continue to encounter landmines decades after wars have ended, and instances of disability as a result of disease and illnesses is prevalent in developing countries which lack clean water and sanitation are on the rise.

IDPwD means understanding impairments do not lead to inability.

By: Michelle Dewis, CBM Australia

Michelle Dewis, CBM Australia — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 01:41:49 +0000

IDPwD is a day that reminds me that I have so many people to look up to, to give me strength and encouragement when I’m feeling down or have had a bad day.

By: Robyne Burridge- Focus-A-Bility

Robyne Burridge- Focus-A-Bility — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 06:29:21 +0000

As a person with a physical disability and also someone who works in the disability industry, IDPwD has a dual meaning. Firstly the day gives me the chance to remind politicians and the general community that people with disabilities have the same rights, feelings and aspirations as everyone else. Secondly working in the industry, I take time to reflect on what I do and whether or not I have in some way helped to make a difference in the life of someone else with a disability.

By: By Gabrielle Lovass, CBM Australia

By Gabrielle Lovass, CBM Australia — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 06:02:29 +0000

International Day of People with Disabilities is stopping to recognise and celebrate the immense value of people with disabilities, their families and their friends – to realise their dignity and courage. People with disabilities and the ones who love and support them, have often been shunned and rejected by society, making an already challenging journey all the more difficult. In Australia today, awareness is growing and support services are becoming more readily available, no matter what your socio-economic background. Although even we, second on the Human Development Index, have a long way to go. There is still a degree of judgement that prevails and social services are still not yet adequate enough to meet the needs of individuals and families who manage a disability.

By: Paul Deany - Disability Rights Fund & ADDC Executive Committee

Paul Deany - Disability Rights Fund & ADDC Executive Committee — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 05:51:21 +0000

To me IDPwD is a global call to action, urging all of us to do more to raise awareness about the rights of persons with disabilities.

IDPwD is an important day where we celebrate how far we have come in furthering disability rights. But this day we also recognize how much more work lays ahead to ensure equal rights for persons with disabilities worldwide, especially in the poorest countries.

By: Pauline Kleinitz- CBM-Nossal Institute Partnership

Pauline Kleinitz- CBM-Nossal Institute Partnership — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 05:50:39 +0000

IDPwD is the day many voices come together to celebrate all our varying abilities and encourage others to do the same.
Pauline Kleinitz- CBM Australia-Nossal Institute Partnership for Disability Inclusive Development

By: Mark Hulbert- Interact Australia

Mark Hulbert- Interact Australia — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 05:41:43 +0000

I feel that IDPwD is a great opportunity to celebrate the great diversity of our community to celebrate the success and challenges that a Person with a Disability can or has experienced.

By: Julie Devine, CBM Australia

Julie Devine, CBM Australia — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 05:41:14 +0000

IDPwD is a reminder for me to visit someone I haven’t visited in a long while.

By: admin

admin — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 05:39:39 +0000

Toby Crook is on vocals and banjo & keyboard in ‘Sector 5 Extreme’ @ 11.35am at the IDPwD Music Festival, 3 Dec at Macleay Pary, Belmore Road Blawyn North. (Mel 46 C5)