International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2014 – 3 December
2014 theme · Sustainable Development: The Promise of Technology
This year the International Day of Persons with Disabilities will focus on the role of technology in:
- Disaster Risk Reduction and Emergency Responses
- Creating Enabling Working Environments
- Disability-Inclusive Sustainable Development Goals
The annual observance of the International Day of Disabled Persons was proclaimed in 1992, by the United Nations General Assembly resolution 47/3. The observance of the Day aims to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities. It also seeks to increase awareness of gains to be derived from the integration of persons with disabilities in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life.
Since 2009, the Department of Economic and Social Affairs organizes a film festival as a part of the events at UN Headquarters to commemorate the Day. The United Nations Enable Film Festival(UNEFF) includes short disabilty-related films selected on the basis of their content and message that can help raise awareness of disability issues and further promote the full and effective participation of persons with disabilities in society.
Themes for previous years:
- 2013: Break Barriers, Open Doors: for an inclusive society and development for all
- 2012: Removing barriers to create an inclusive and accessible society for all
- 2011: Together for a better world for all: Including persons with disabilities in development
- 2010: Keeping the promise: Mainstreaming disability in the Millennium Development Goals towards 2015 and beyond
- 2009: Making the MDGs Inclusive: Empowerment of persons with disabilities and their communities around the world
- 2008: Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Dignity and justice for all of us
- 2007: Decent work for persons with disabilities
- 2006: E-Accessibility
- 2005: Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Action in Development
- 2004: Nothing about Us without Us
- 2003: A voice of our own
- 2002: Independent Living and Sustainable Livelihoods
- 2001: Full participation and equality: The call for new approaches to assess progress and evaluate outcome
- 2000: Making information technologies work for all
- 1999: Accessibility for all for the new Millennium
- 1998: Arts, Culture and Independent Living
Themes and observances of related International Days
- World Autism Awareness Day
- World Down Syndrome Day
- International Day for Risk Reduction 2013 “Living with Disability and Disasters” (13 October)
- World Telecommunication and Information Society Day: 2008 “Connecting Persons with Disabilities: ICT Opportunities for All” (17 May)
- International Day of Families: 2007: “Families and Persons with Disabilities” (15 May)