December 3 marks the annual International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD). Why? In 1992, the United Nations announced the first IDPwD, to increase global awareness of disability issues, and encourage advocacy for the dignity, rights and wellbeing of all people with disabilities.
Youngcare is proud to fight for change for young people with high physical support needs every day, so we feel particularly passionate about IDPwD, when our invaluable mission receives the spotlight it deserves.
In 2022, the official theme of IDPwD is ‘Transformative solutions for inclusive development: the role of innovation in fuelling an accessible and equitable world’. Simply speaking, the theme aims to spark discussion over accessibility as a standard inclusion throughout modern society. This theme is intended to fit alongside the UN’s latest General Assembly’s overarching topic of finding solutions to build a more sustainable and resilient world for future generations, while leaving no one behind.
Official Youngcare Ambassador, Lisa Cox, shared what an accessible future looks like to her;
“For me, an accessible future is about removing barriers for people with disability,” Lisa said.
“Not just the very obvious physical barriers but also the invisible barriers, like unconscious bias. This way, people with disability can access fulfilling employment, enriching education, appropriate healthcare and more.”
Lisa says the path to a more inclusive future is a shared responsibility.
“Talking about disability access and related issues should not just be the sole responsibility of disability advocates and ambassadors or disability charities,” Lisa said.
“The disability community needs to be supported by business leaders and those who can help to amplify the voices and issues of the world’s largest minority.
“When I acquired my disabilities, I knew I couldn’t change what had happened to me, but I could help change the constant messaging that was coming at me from the media and other pop culture that said my life with disabilities was now worthless.”
Youngcare grant recipient and SDA resident, Mikaela Norris, also shared her inspirational take on the importance of IDPWD, and our collective path to a more inclusive society.
“An accessible future for me is when people can finally see each other as equals,” Mikaela said.
“If we could all take time to look at one another, we’d see that we are all the same.
“Treat others how you want to be treated and the world could finally start to evolve.”
In 2022, IDPwD has a particular focus on improving inclusivity in employment, development and sport. Currently, the unemployment rate for Australians with disabilities is roughly double that of other working-aged counterparts. IDPwD 2022 hopes to break down barriers limiting people with disabilities from securing meaningful employment, such as access to education and training, as well as educating employers on making workplaces more accessible and inclusive.
On the sporting front, Youngcare has been a vocal advocate for more accessible infrastructure throughout Australia, particularly in preparation for the upcoming 2032 Paralympics being held in Brisbane, pushing for improvements to be delivered as soon as possible, to benefit current residents and visitors.
The Youngcare Connect team explained what a more inclusive future looks like to them.
“It’s a future where accessibility is a given. All buildings, public transport, indoor and outdoor events are just accessible,” the Youngcare Connect team said.
“It is a future where accessibility is ‘not a need’, it is just a part of everyday living for all.”
The team also stressed that achieving this vision successfully would require extensive consultation with people who are living day-to-day with the current lack of accessibility.
In Australia, IDPwD aims to raise public awareness if the valuable contributions people with disabilities make to society, with the intention of encouraging community engagement and inclusivity. As disability rights deserve more than one day to be lauded, a variety of celebratory events will be held in the surrounding weeks across the country, with a full list of registered events available here. This year, Australia has named seven ambassadors to champion the cause, who you can read more about here.
