This year’s Theme

Each year the UN announces a theme to observe for International Day of People with Disability. The annual theme provides an overarching focus on how society can strive for inclusivity through the removal of physical, technological and attitudinal barriers for people with disability. This has been occurring since 1992 when the General Assembly proclaimed 3 December as the International Day of Disabled Persons.

The theme for 2017 International Day of People with Disability is “Transformation towards sustainable and resilient society for all.” The overarching principle of this theme is to ‘leave no-one behind’ and empowers people with disability to be active contributors of society. It is based on transformative changes envisaged in the 2030 agenda for Sustainable Development.

This global framework aims to strengthen the resilience of people with disability by providing full access to justice, health care services, infrastructure and accessible communities. It is focuses on inclusive education, lifelong learning, and sustainable economic growth through employment.

In Australia, the National Disability Strategy 2010–2020 commits all governments to a nationwide approach aimed at improving the lives of people with disability, their families and carers. The Strategy’s 10 year national framework for reform focuses on better inclusion for people with disability and seeks to create a society that enables people with disability to fulfil their potential as equal citizens.

Today, countries all around the world celebrate the day.