IDPD 2021

On 3rd December, we observe the International Day of Disabled Persons (IDPD). It aims at understanding people with disabilities and mobilizing support for the dignity, rights and well-being of such persons. It also seeks to increase the awareness of advantages that can be gained by the integration of persons with disabilities in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life. The annual observance of this day was announced in 1992 by the United Nations General Assembly.

Around 15 per cent of the world’s population, or an estimated 1 billion people, live with disabilities. Eighty per cent of persons with disabilities live in developing countries, according to the UN Development Programme. Persons with disabilities every day face discrimination and barriers that restrict them from participating in society on an equal basis with others. Ninety per cent of children with disabilities in developing countries do not attend school, says UNESCO. In India, as per the national standards and statistics, out of the 121 crore population, 2.68 crore persons are ‘disabled’, which is 2.21% of the total population.

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