The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed in 1992 the first International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
The purpose is to bring awareness and understanding of problems and difficulties which people with disabilities face around the world.
UN reports state that, “Today, the world population is over eight billion people, and more than one billion people, or approximately 15 percent of the world’s population, live with some form of disability; 80 percent live in developing countries.”
People with some sort of disabilities are human beings like others. They need to be treated as human beings with respect.
Help them without showing your pity, but undestand them with empathy.
Their dignity and rights need be respected and promoted. Their inclusion and participation in social, political, economic and cultural areas need to be acknowledged and accorded.
The 2023 theme for the International Day is “United in action to rescue and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for, with, and by persons with disabilities.”
The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, a United Nations international human rights treaty adopted in 2006, is intended to protect the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities. It was adopted on September 13, 2006. It has 8 guiding principles:
- Respect for inherent dignity, freedom to make one’s own choices, and independence.
2.Non-discrimination.
- Full and effective participation and inclusion in society.
- Respect for difference and acceptance of persons with disabilities as part of human diversity.
- Equality of opportunity.
- Accessibility.
7.Equality between men and women.
- Respect for the evolving capacities of children with disabilities and the preservation of their identities.
Persons with disabilities should not be treated as objects of charity. They should be respected as persons capable of making their own decisions based on their informed consent.
The Indian Parliament passed the The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 as a disability law. This Act replaces the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995.
As the first case law, an Uttar Pradesh cabinet minister was the first one to be booked under this new legislation. A disability activist Doctor Satendra Singh filed case against him on publicly humiliating a disabled employee.
A Chhattisgarh girl with thalassemia obtained from the Supreme Court an order to get medical admission with reference to this law.
