Overcoming barriers for children with disabilities
Saturday, December 3, marked the 19th annual International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
Sponsored by the United Nations, people from around the world recognize this day in an effort to further an understanding of people with disability and encourage support for their dignity, rights, and overall well-being. This year’s theme was, “Together for a better world for all: Including persons with disabilities in development.”
According to the World Health Organization, around 10% of the world’s children have some type of physical or mental health impairment, and around 80% of those children live in developing countries. Unfortunately, children with disabilities are among the most marginalized and excluded groups of children. Compared to their peers, they are routinely denied access to health, education and social services. They are often excluded from opportunities to participate in their communities, and are more vulnerable to violence and abuse.
“Children with disabilities have the same rights as all children, and they deserve the same chance to make the most of their lives and to make their voices heard,” said Anthony Lake, UNICEF Executive Director. “We need to break down the barriers that prevent full participation of children with disabilities – from programs that ignore their needs, to prejudice that discounts their ability to contribute.”
UNICEF includes children with disabilities in all aspects of its work, from helping ensure access to services for disabled children and their caregivers, to changing laws and cultures that prevent children with disabilities from participating fully in their societies. UNICEF works with many partners to overcome these barriers.  For example, UNICEF and Special Olympics International work together to advocate for health care, education, recreational sports, and employment policies to benefit children with intellectual disabilities (see our blog on the UNICEF-Special Olympics announcement in Athens).
Everyone, regardless of their age, gender, or ability, plays an important role in their community. By including men, women, and children with disabilities, without discrimination or judgment, we help create a stronger, more supportive future for all.
Thank you so much to all who participated in the 2011 “Together for a better world for all: Including persons with disabilities in development” event at the UN Headquarters. The entire event was informative, touching and inspiring.
The panels discussing the use data and statistics focused on the very pressing issue of what data, how to collect, categorize, integrate and dissimulate results to best serve one of the most discriminated groups in the world was timely and thought provoking. I learned a lot from both of them and I was impressed with the diversity of panelist. I look forward to rereading the notes of the presentation for the further development of a research agenda.
The afternoon film festival was also a most fabulous treat as we saw the unique perspective of disability from different regions of the world which reflected both the individuality as well as global perspective of the movement As a person who works with Disabled Person Organizations (or should it be enabled person organizations ;) that produces films all I could say was “WOW”. Overall I found the whole event as one of the highlights of 2011 and a source of inspiration into 2012. The global movement for the recognition of the CRPD has been well served by this event and as I walked through NYC during the holiday season all I could think was how I couldn’t wait to attend again next year.
Thank you!