ADDC :: Australian Disability & Development Consortium

International Day of Persons with Disabilities

MESSAGE FROM THE UN THE SECRETARY-GENERAL
It is thirty years since the United Nations first observed the International Year of Disabled Persons under the theme “Full Participation and Equality”. During that period, there has been significant progress in raising awareness about the rights of persons with disabilities and in strengthening the international normative framework to realize those rights – from the World Programme of Action (1982) to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (2006).

More and more countries are committing to protecting and promoting the rights of persons with disabilities. However, many challenges remain. Persons with disabilities experience higher rates of poverty and deprivation and are twice as likely to lack health care. Employment rates of persons with disabilities in some countries are as low as one-third of that of the overall population. In developing countries, the gap in primary school attendance rates between children with disabilities and others ranges from 10 per cent to 60 per cent.

This multi-dimensional exclusion represents a huge cost, not only to persons with disabilities but to society as a whole. This year’s International Day of Persons with Disabilities reminds us that development can only be sustainable when it is equitable, inclusive and accessible for all. Persons with disabilities need therefore to be included at all stages of development processes, from inception to monitoring and evaluation.

Addressing negative attitudes, the lack of services or ready access to them, and other harmful social, economic and cultural barriers will benefit all of society.

On this International Day of Persons with Disabilities, I call on governments, civil society and the global community to work for and alongside persons with disabilities to achieve inclusive, sustainable and equitable development worldwide.

A better world for all: recognising individuality and diversity

 
IDPWD theme for 2011: “Together for a better world for all: Including persons with disabilities in development” 
 
 A better world for all: recognising individuality and diversity 
Persons with disabilities make up an estimated 15 per cent of the world’s population. Almost one-fifth of the estimated global total of persons living with disabilities, or between 110-190 million, encounters [...]

ADDC Bulletin November 28th 2011

ADDC congratulates all the recipients of the Australian National Disability Award 2011.
In particular, we acknowledge recognition for the tireless efforts as a disability advocate, Frank Hall-Bentick who is an active member of ADDC and associated organisations.

ADDC Bulletin November 18th 2011

In the lead-up to the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) to take place in Rio de Janeiro in June 2012, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is launching a global conversation on issues of sustainability and the future we want.