On International Day of People with Disability we discuss this year’s theme: “Leadership and participation of persons with disabilities toward an inclusive, accessible and sustainable post-COVID-19 world.” We also look at ways you and your organisation can participate in this important day.

According to the United Nations (UN), more than one billion people, or 15 per cent of the global population, live with some form of disability. Alarmingly, 80 per cent live in developing countries. In Australia, about 4.4 million, or 18 per cent of people, have disability. This is also known as ‘disability prevalence’.

International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD), which has been observed since 1992, aims to promote the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life.

“Disability inclusion is an essential condition to upholding human rights, sustainable development, and peace and security. It is also central to the promise of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development to leave no one behind. The commitment to realizing the rights of persons with disabilities is not only a matter of justice; it is an investment in a common future.” – UN

Since late 2019, people globally have been significantly impacted by COVID-19, but while challenges have been universal, people with disabilities are among the most adversely affected populations.

The UN recently reported that the pandemic had magnified the challenges and barriers people with disabilities experience due to “reduced access to routine health care and rehabilitation services, more pronounced social isolation, poorly tailored public health messaging, inadequately constructed mental health services, and a lack of emergency preparedness for people with special needs.” 

How to participate in IDPwD 2021

ORGANISATIONS

The Australian Network on Disability believes direct input from employees with disability is vital in any organisation that wishes to truly practice disability inclusion. Storytelling, for example, is a powerful tool of connection. Employees with disability may feel comfortable to share their experiences and stories. Consider sharing the stories of employees with disability, as no two experiences are the same.

IDPwD is also the perfect time to: 

• work on a Disability Action Plan
• co-design a new program with employees with disability
• launch an organisation-wide policy, plan or initiative that places disability inclusion on the agenda.

Alternatively, organisations are encouraged to share the next steps of one of its plans, programs, policies or initiatives that support the equitable inclusion of people with disability.

“We know that familiarity and education can be the biggest opportunity to removing unintentional barriers,” the Australian Network on Disability state. “IDPwD can be a great opportunity to organise training – whether internal or external – where employees can learn about disability, and the benefits of disability inclusion in the workplace.”

INDIVIDUALS

You can join in on social media by spreading messages about IDPwD 2021 using the hashtags #IDPD and #EveryoneIncluded

CourtHeath recommends listening to disability advocate, Dylan Alcott’s podcast, ListenABLE, to connect and listen to stories from people living with disability

You can also attend International commemorative virtual events for IDPD including:

• Reducing Inequalities Through Technologies: A perceptive on Disability Inclusive Development
• Leadership of the new generations: Children and adolescents with disabilities and their voices post COVID-19
• Building an Inclusive and Accessible Post-COVID-19 World: Leadership of Persons with Disabilities.

Find out about Getting to work, the Victorian public sector’s disability employment plan

The aim of the Getting to work: Victorian public sector disability employment action plan 2018-2025 is to “increase the overall engagement, representation and meaningful employment of people with disability across every level of the Victorian public sector.”

Three focus areas group the plan’s 21 actions:

Focus area 1:  Build awareness through access of information

Focus area 2:  Attract and recruit people with disability

Focus area 3:  Support employees with disability.

Overall, the plan acknowledges that every workplace is unique and that a range of approaches will be required to raise awareness and drive change.

Resources

• Get involved: IDPwD
• Getting to work: disability employment action plan (Victorian Public Sector Commission)
• The response to the COVID-19 pandemic for people with disability

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IMAGE: International Day of People with Disability

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A participant in the UN Global Compact, CourtHeath seeks to raise awareness about the sustainable development goals and the principles of the Global Compact with business and government organisations in Victoria. The elimination of all forms of discrimination in respect to employment and occupation is Principle 6 of the Global Compact. The Global Compact repudiates labour discrimination internationally.

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