3 December 2015 – This year’s International Day of Persons with Disabilities is celebrated under the theme “Inclusion matters: access and empowerment for people of all abilities”.
The aim of the Day is to promote the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities and to raise awareness of benefits resulting from the integration of persons with disabilities in all aspects of life.
It is estimated that more than one billion people are living with some form of disability worldwide. Persons with disabilities often face many barriers to inclusion in their societies.Without the full and active integration of persons with disabilities in all aspects of life, and their empowerment to contribute to national development, it is unlikely that any major global development goals will be achieved. To mark this year’s Day, WHO is launching three new products: a manual on community-based rehabilitation indicators, a web training programme on community-based rehabilitation, and the WHO priority assistive products list survey in 53 languages.
WHO is committed to supporting national, regional and global efforts for inclusion and equal opportunities for persons with disabilities at all levels, particularly through inclusive health systems and universal health coverage for all.