International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPwD) will be celebrated around Australia and the world on Friday December 3.

It aims to increase public awareness, understanding and acceptance of people with disability and celebrate their achievements and contributions.

IDPwD is an opportunity for us to make positive changes to the lives of the 4.4 million Australians with disability.

As an individual, school, community group, business or organisation, there are many ways you can get involved and promote inclusion in your community.

Events will be held around the nation to celebrate people with a disability with the ABC running a three week campaign to celebrate them, because just one day isn’t enough!

From November 19 to December 10, the ABC will feature content created by and for people with disability, with stories exploring the serious issues like housing affordability and access for people with disability, and the lighter side of life.

See more here.

There are an estimated one billion people living with disabilities worldwide. They face many barriers to inclusion in many key aspects of society.

As a result, people with disabilities do not enjoy access to society on an equal basis with others, which includes areas of transportation, employment, and education as well as social and political participation.

The right to participate in public life is essential to create stable democracies, active citizenship and reduce inequalities in society.

Each year the UN announces a theme to observe for International Day of People with Disability.

The theme for IDPwD 2021 is “Leadership and participation of persons with disabilities toward an inclusive, accessible and sustainable post-COVID-19 world”.