International Day for Persons with Disabilities
Overview
International Day of Persons with Disabilities, held on 3 December every year, was established by the United Nations in 1992. It aims to "promote the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities in all spheres of society and development, and to increase awareness of the situation of persons with disabilities in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life."
The CPA works to empower persons with disabilities in a number of ways. The mission of the Commonwealth Parliamentarians with Disabilities (CPwD) network, established by the CPA in 2017, is:
to encourage Commonwealth Parliaments to enable effective and full participation of persons with disabilities at all levels.
Disability is also one of the six thematic priorities in the CPA's Strategic Plan 2022-2025. We are committed to mainstreaming disability considerations throughout our operations and workstreams.
CPA Resources: Accessibility
Online Course: Making Parliaments Accessible
From the CPA Parliamentary Academy
This course is designed for elected or appointed parliamentarians and parliamentary staff. Throughout the course you will explore how to make your parliament accessible. It will focus on accessible communication strategies, unmasking misconceptions around disability and the importance of international frameworks. In addition it will look at Equality and Inclusion Departments as well as the social benefits of increased accessibility. By the end of this Course, you will be able to ensure your Parliament is accessible for persons with disabilities.
