"Our challenge is to provide all people with the equality of access they need and deserve. Ultimately, this will create a better world for all."
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
Stevie Wonder, a blind musical artist and UN Messenger of Peace, performing during UN Day concert, on 24 October 2012. UN Photo/JC McIlwaine
Theme for 2012: Removing barriers to create an inclusive and accessible society for all
In the wake of the 2013 high-level meeting on disability and development, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities provides an opportunity to bring global attention to the situation of persons with disabilities, to create a strategic vision and to plan for disability-inclusive development.
Persons with disabilities are both agents and beneficiaries, who would also take the lead in development processes. The full and effective participation of persons with disabilities is a prerequisite for inclusive, sustainable and equitable development.
In many parts of the world today, lack of awareness and understanding of accessibility as a cross-cutting development issue remains an obstacle to the achievement of progress and development through the Millennium Development Goals, as well as other internationally agreed outcomes for all.
The commemoration of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities in 2012 provides an opportunity to address this exclusion by focusing on promoting accessibility and removing all types of barriers in society.
3 December was proclaimed as the International Day of Persons with Disabilities by the General Assembly in its resolution 47/3 of 14 October 1992.