Dec. 3 has been proclaimed as International Day of Persons with Disabilities in Airdrie, following City council’s approval of a Volunteer Airdrie request at a Nov. 18 meeting.
The annual observance of this event began in 1992, according to David Maffitt, Volunteer Airdrie Society chair, in an effort to promote the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities in all spheres of society and development, and to increase awareness of persons with disabilities in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life.
“Persons with disabilities, ‘the world’s largest minority,’ have generally poorer health, lower education achievements, fewer economic opportunities and higher rates of poverty than people without disabilities,” he said.
This is largely due to a lack of services available to them, Maffitt added, as well as the obstacles they face in their everyday live – obstacles that may relate to the physical environment, or be a result from legislation or policy, or from societal attitudes or discrimination. Additionally, he said, people with disabilities are at a much higher risk of violence.
“Evidence and experience show that when barriers to their inclusion are removed and persons with disabilities are empowered to participate fully in societal life, their entire community benefits,” Maffitt said. “Barriers faced by persons with disabilities are, therefore, a detriment to society as a whole, and accessibility is necessary to achieve progress and development for all.”
This year’s theme focuses on empowering persons with disabilities for an inclusive, equitable and sustainable development, he added.