International Day of Persons with Disabilities is an international event observed on the 3rd of December each year. The event is promoted by the United Nations since 1992. 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 aims to increase awareness about the gains to be derived from the integration of persons with disabilities in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life. A disability is a condition or function judged to be significantly impaired relative to the usual standard of an individual of their group.
In 1976, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 1981 as the International Year of Disabled Persons. It called for a plan of action at the national, regional and international levels, with an emphasis on equalization of opportunities, rehabilitation and prevention of disabilities. The theme was “full participation and equality”, defined as the right of persons with disabilities to take part fully in the life and development of their societies, enjoy living conditions equal to those of other citizens, and have an equal share in improved conditions resulting from socio-economic development. Then the General Assembly had proclaimed 1983–1992 the United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons to provide a time frame for Governments and organizations to implement the activities recommended in the World Programme of Action.
The theme for the 2016 International Day of Persons with Disabilities was “Achieving 17 Goals for the future we want”. This theme notes the recent adoption of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the role of these goals in building a more inclusive and equitable world for persons with disabilities. These objectives include assessing the current status of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and SDGs and laying the foundation for a future of greater inclusion for persons with disabilities.