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  4. International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD), 3 December 2016

International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD), 3 December 2016

Date: Sat, Dec 3 2016 | International Day
Time: All day
International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD), 3 December 2016

Quicklinks:

Theme for IDPD 2016: “Achieving 17 Goals for the Future We Want”

Learn more about the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and disability

Background:

Since 1992, the United Nations International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) has been celebrated annually on 3 December around the world. The theme for this year’s International Day is “Achieving 17 Goals for the Future We Want”. This theme notes the recent adoption of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the role of these goals in building a more inclusive and equitable world for persons with disabilities. This year’s objectives include assessing the current status of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and SDGs and laying the foundation for a future of greater inclusion for persons with disabilities.

Observance of the 2016 IDPD coincides with the 10-year anniversary of the adoption of the CRPD – one of the most quickly and widely ratified international treaties put forth by the United Nations to date.


Events at UN  Headquarters

FRIDAY, 2 DECEMBER

Events for the 2016 IDPD celebration at UN Headquarters in New York City will be organised by the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) in collaboration with Member States, the UN system, academic institutions, civil society, disabled persons organizations, and the private sector.

Opening and High-Level Panel Discussion on CRPD + 10

The Opening of the International Day will include the Day’s message from the UN Secretary-General, as well as statements from Member States and other stakeholders. The President of the General Assembly, in accordance with General Assembly resolution 70/145, will organize a panel discussion to commemorate the 10-year anniversary of the adoption of the CRPD and its universalization.
10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Conference Room 4

Accessible Cities United
Concept note
Mayors of cities from around the world will share their advances and plans for inclusive, accessible and sustainable cities for all, with special attention to persons with disabilities. The event will build on the growing momentum towards universal inclusion and accessibility, emanating from implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals and the recent adoption of the New Urban Agenda at the Habitat III Conference in Quito.
5 - 6.00 p.m., Conference Room 8

Accessible Cities for All
Concept note.
Invitation. 
Organized by DSPD/DESA and NYC Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD) in partnership with Permanent Missions, this event will bring together city leaders, celebrities, practitioners and decision makers to celebrate their successes in reducing inequalities and  promoting inclusive development through improving accessibility in cities.  The event will honour and raise awareness of the importance of inclusive, accessible and sustainable cities. The event is a call to action for leaders at all levels, and in all sectors of society, to make universal accessibility a priority and a reality.
6.30 to 8.00 p.m., ECOSOC Chamber

Global award for Good Practices in the Employment of Persons with Disabilities
The Government of the State of Sao Paolo will organize an event recognizing good practices in the employment of persons with disabilities. The event will be co-organized by DSPD/DESA and sponsored by the Permanent Mission of Brazil. http://pmeri.sedpcd.sp.gov.br
1.15-2.30 p.m., Conference Room 6

CRPD Mobile App (soft launch)
Organised by Institute on Disability and Public Policy, American University. This event will celebrate the soft launch of a beta version of an iOS 10 mobile application on the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the CRPD. This will be the first mobile app of its kind, with the aim to raise awareness of this critical disability policy framework, its contents, and its significance for human rights and disability rights. The beta version of the mobile app will facilitate greater broad public understanding of the CRPD and feature a listing of the articles of the CRPD, as well as indices of countries that have signed and ratified the Convention with corresponding dates.
1.15 - 2.30., Conference Room 8

Disability Inclusive Development in Africa: Building Capacity for Inclusive Development
Program
Flyer
This event will present the main challenges persons with disabilities face in the Africa region, such as exclusion, discrimination and challenges to the enjoyment of their fundamental rights and inclusion in development. UNDESA has developed a Toolkit on Disability for Africa to build the capacity of Government officials and DPOs in the region, with a view to implement solutions in line with the CRPD.
3.00 - 4.30p.m., Conference Room 12

10th Anniversary of the CRPD: A United Nations Celebration, a joint session organized by UNDESA and G3ict
Program
This session will review ten years of progress in implementing the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD)  to achieve inclusive, accessible and sustainable society and development. Experts from the United Nations, civil society, academia and industry will share their perspectives on the progress of disability rights, policies and programs promoted by the CRPD and discuss solutions to foster their implementation by States Parties, in particular as they relate to the accessibility of Information and Communication Technologies.  The session will conclude with a discussion of priorities which CRPD States Parties and stakeholders may pursue for the next ten years.
3.00 - 6.00 p.m., Conference Room 4

Heidi Latsky Dance Installation (On Display Global Sites video)
Heidi Latsky Dance will stage a movement installation of 20-30 performers who together form a living gallery. The installation features different and unexpected bodies in white clothing (signifying all the colours of the rainbow and a metaphor for inclusion) moving as reverent sculptures in the space. The installation is sponsored by New York City''s Mayor''s Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD). Similar installations will take place simultaneously around the world that will be showcased at UN Headquarters. http://heidilatskydance.com.
9.30 to 10 a.m., UN Visitors’ Lobby.

One billion voices: “I am… 1 of 1 billion voices”
A group of students will create a digital exhibit entitled “I am… 1 of 1 billion voices” of persons with disabilities. The exhibit will promote and celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the CRPD by enabling “the voices of persons with disabilities from around the world” to be “heard” through virtual means. All day at the UN Accessibility Centre. Website: http://1billionvoices.org/
What do you want to thank the CRPD for? Share your picture with a message. 


UN Enable Film Festival
The United Nations Enable Film Festival (UNEFF) includes short disabilty-related films selected on the basis of their content and message that can help raise awareness of disability issues and further promote the full and effective participation of persons with disabilities in society.
3.00 to 6.00 p.m., Conference Room 6


UN Enable Photograph Exhibition
The UN Enable Photograph Exhibition works towards the full integration of persons with disabilities in every aspect of the lives of their communities – political, social, economic and cultural, and on an equal basis with others. The photographs selected aim to raise awareness about disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities. In light of the 10th anniversary of the adoption of the Convention, this year the UNEPE will highlight the positive ways in which the Convention has impacted the lives of people around the world.

Final list of photographs selected for UNEPE 2016!

 

MONDAY, TUESDAY, 28-29 NOVEMBER

3rd Expert Meeting on Monitoring and Evaluation for Disability-inclusive Development (MEDD) 

The MEDD is an informal Network experts, researchers and practitioners from the UN system, academic institutions, member states, non-governmental organizations, particularly disabled persons’ organizations, and development partners with experience and expertise in the areas of monitoring and evaluation of the implementation of the international development goals, including expertise in policy-analysis, data, statistics, monitoring and evaluation relevant for disability-inclusive development, particularly in the context of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
28-29 November 2016., 10.00 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. Invitation only.

WEDNESDAY, 30 NOVEMBER

Working Group on Disability and Digital Societies

The Working Group on Disability and Digital Societies explores how digital information can empower persons with disabilities and contribute to disability-inclusive development, in particular the monitoring, evaluation and implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
30 Nov 2016, 10.00 a.m., to 12.30 p.m. Invitation only.

THURSDAY, 1 DECEMBER

Disability Policies and Programmes in Uganda in the Context of the Implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development by Ms. Beatrice Nabulime Kaggya

This talk with present existing disability-inclusive legal and policy frameworks as well as key-interventions to promote inclusion in Uganda, and discuss how these instruments can contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. Challenges in mainstreaming disability will also be discussed.
1 Dec 2016, 1.00 p.m., to 1.45 p.m. in S-2723


How you can commemorate IDPD 2016 in your local community

Include: Observance of the Day provides opportunities for collaborative and inclusive events by all stakeholders – Governments, the UN system, civil society and organizations of persons with disabilities – to focus on issues related to the inclusion of persons with disabilities in society and development, both as beneficiaries and agents of change.
Organize: Hold forums, public discussions and information campaigns in support of the themes of IDPD 2015 to discuss and share ways of including and empowering persons of all abilities to develop and be fully included in their local communities.
Celebrate: Plan and organize performances everywhere to celebrate the contributions made by persons with disabilities as agents of change in the communities in which they live. Celebrate persons with disabilities by creating opportunities to help realize their potential, be it through music, sport, academia or interpersonal skills.
Take Action: A major focus of the Day is practical action to realize the objectives of the Day for persons with disabilities and their communities. So, highlight best practices and think about making recommendations to your local political leaders, businesses, academic institutions, cultural centers and others. Work to ensure that your activity leaves a legacy and brings about lasting change.


Events from around the world

See how IDPD 2016 is being commemorated around the world

[Send us a short description of your event along with a web link and contact details for possible inclusion on our website to showcase innovative and catalytic action to achieve the goals of the IDPD, email us at: enable@un.org.]