International Day of People with Disabilities
Today is International Day of People with Disabilities (IDPWD). It is a global celebration of people with disabilities. Approximately 13.7% of Canadians are currently living with a disability. One in ten working age Canadians have a disability. In the literacy field, we are conscious of the many learning disabilities that can affect learners’ literacy skills. There are numerous resources available to assist tutors in these areas. However, we also need to consider physical disabilities and how they may affect learners accessing and using the programs we offer. IDPWD is an excellent time for this. The organization behind the event has outlined the key purposes of the day.
What is IDPWD for?
- Celebration – to recognize and value the diversity of our global community, and to cherish the role we all play, regardless of our abilities;
- Learning – to understand and learn from the experiences of people with living with a disability;
- Optimism – to look towards the future and the creation of a world where a person is not characterized by their disabilities, but by their abilities;
- Action – where all people, organizations, agencies and charities not only show their support for International Day of People with Disabilities, but take on a commitment to create a world characterized by equal human rights.
The 2021 theme is “Fighting for rights in the post-COVID era.” While offering programs online has helped some learners with physical disabilities, much more can certainly be done to increase accessibility. People who live with disabilities are among the most affected populations of the COVID-19 pandemic. The video below outlines five ways people with disabilities are affected by the pandemic.
There are many organizations and resources in Canada and British Columbia that can help you improve your accessibility and support for those with physical disabilities.
- Building Accessibility Handbook 2020 (BC)
- Canadian Assistive Technology
- Council of Canadians with Disabilities
- Disability Alliance BC
- Disability Credit Canada
- Inclusion Canada
- Inclusion BC
- Inclusion Canada’s COVID-19 & Disability Resources
International Day of People with Disabilities Resources
Related Blog Posts
BC Child Poverty Report Card 2020
Do you know about child poverty in BC? Read First Call’s 2020 BC Child Poverty Report Card to learn the facts.
Nonprofit Board Governance
Learn about how good board governance is key to a nonprofit’s success.
International Literacy Day 2020
Today is International Literacy Day! This year’s theme is Literacy teaching and learning in the COVID-19 crisis and beyond, with a particular focus on the role of educators and teaching …