Empowerment of persons with disabilities and their communities around the world

International Day of Disabled People on the third of December

Making the MDGs Inclusive:
Empowerment of persons with disabilities and their communities around the world”
The third of December each year finds the world celebrating the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, a day for recognition of the contributions and achievements of people with disabilities from around the world. On this day people from every nation, take note of the skills, achievements, contributions, and abilities of persons with disabilities in society. They promote a positive image of persons with disabilities, and who we are in the community at large through activities which both celebrate and raise awareness of this day.
The United Nations and the global community continue to work for the mainstreaming of persons with disabilities in all aspects of society and development. Although many commitments have been made to include disability and persons with disabilities in development, the gap between policy and practice continues.
Ensuring that persons with disabilities are integrated into all development activities is essential in order to achieve internationally agreed development goals, such as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The MDGs can only be achieved if persons with disabilities and their family members are included. This in turn will ensure that people with disabilities and their family members benefit from international development initiatives. Efforts to achieve the MDGs and implement the Convention are interdependent and mutually reinforcing.
More information on the MDGs and persons with disabilities http://www.un.org/disabilities/default.asp?id=1470