Welcome to the United Nations
Children with disabilities deserve to have the same rights as everyone else, which is something that will have a "tremendous impact" on society as a whole.
This is the message from Emmanuel Elisha Ford, a 16-year-old Guyanese-American disabilities activist, speaking at an event at UN Headquarters on World Children's Day, observed on 20 November.
Elisha stressed that children with disabilities have dreams despite the challenges they face, and his wish is "for every child to have a fair chance." His speech drew attention to the challenges faced by 93 million children globally, noting how they vary from person, to place, to circumstance, to disability.
“In addition to being born blind, I face some mobilities challenges,” he began, saying that despite sometimes needing a wheelchair, he dreams of becoming a meteorologist, calling for “action to change this uneven playing field.”
The speech he made on the recent World Children’s Day underscored the importance of accessibility and inclusion in the contexts of development. In order to realize in inclusive society where everyone’s rights are protected and equal chance are ensured, the United Nations works side by side with governments and civil society.
The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) is both a human right and social development instrument available to make a difference.
Every year on 3rd December, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) is commemorated worldwide to promote awareness and mobilize support on critical issues to ensure that persons with disabilities are included in society and development.
This year the IDPD will be celebrated at UN Headquarters on 1st December, in collaboration with Member States, the UN system, academic institutions, civil society disabled persons organizations and private sector. Attendees will together discuss on various topics such as experience and practice from disability related to building resilient and sustainable societies; innovative analysis to create implementation mechanisms; future strategies and actions on “building future societies for all”.
The theme for this year’s IDPD is “Transformation towards sustainable and resilient society for all”. It focuses on the enabling conditions for the transformative changes envisaged in the 2030 development agenda for Sustainable Development.
With the innovative technologies for persons with disabilities, as well as effective participation of them, inclusive and accessible urbanization and development for all can fast track the transformation towards a sustainable and resilient society.
Check out more details about Universal Children’s Day 2017.
Learn more about International Day of Persons with Disabilities and our special event.
Source: UN News Centre, UNSDN