Wear YELLOW on Monday in support of persons with disabilities.

Monday 3^rd December, 2012 is International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

“Help to remove barriers to create an inclusive and accessible society for all.” That is the message Shari G Smith, Director of Sunrise Adult Training Centre is sending
out and asking everyone to email it to your contacts and show your support by wearing YELLOW on December 3^rd.

She says, “You may continue your support through the week by coming out to hear the Sunrise Adult Training Centre Christmas Carol performance on Wednesday, Dec. 5^th @ Camana Bay starting at 12:30pm, as well as you may also want support the Sunrise Caring Association Fundraising Corporate Dress Down Day on Friday, Dec. 7^th.

“Thank you all for your support in promoting awareness not only on this day, but daily through your support of the programmes at the Sunrise Centre and other programmes across the islands which provide services to Persons with Disabilities.”

International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD) is a United Nations sanctioned day that aims to promote an understanding of people with disability and encourage support for their dignity, rights and well-being.

This year is the 20^th anniversary of International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD), a United Nations sanctioned day that aims to promote an understanding of people with disability and encourage support for their dignity, rights and well-being. The day seeks to increase awareness of the benefits of the integration of people with disability in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life.

IDPwD brings together individuals, businesses, community organisations, and governments from every corner of the world to celebrate and acknowledge the contributions, skills and achievements of people with disability.

The following is a message from the United Nations Secretary-General ON The International Day of Persons with Disabilities

3 December 2012

This year’s Paralympic Games were a reminder of the immense potential of persons with disabilities to soar and to inspire. One girl wrote to a Paralympic gold-medal champion, “Watching as you overcome the difficulties of life, reaching for new victories and new heights in sports, I derive strength and inspiration.”

Persons with disabilities have a significant positive impact on society, and their contributions can be even greater if we remove barriers to their participation. With more than one billion persons with disabilities in our world today, this is more important than ever.

My United Nations Messenger of Peace focusing on this issue, the legendary superstar Stevie Wonder, embodies the spirit of service to others. After playing a spectacular UN Day concert at our Headquarters this year, he said, “I haven’t even touched one iota of what I want to do for and through the United Nations to help heal this world.”

Our challenge is to provide all people with the equality of access they need and deserve. Ultimately, this will create a better world for all. As negotiators at this year’s “Rio+20” United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development agreed, accessibility is critical to achieve the future we want.

Together, we must strive to achieve the goals of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: to eliminate discrimination and exclusion, and to create societies that value diversity and inclusion.

In order to spur action to bridge the gap between well-meaning commitments and long-overdue actions, the United Nations General Assembly will hold a High-Level meeting on disability and development next year. This gathering will take place as the international community works to forge a post-2015 development agenda, presenting an opportunity to ensure that the rights, concerns and contributions of persons with disabilities are fully taken into account.

This International Day of Persons with Disabilities marks the official opening of preparations for the High-level Meeting. Let us make the most of our commemoration by working to ensure that persons with disabilities enjoy their rights and realize their great potential.

For more information go to:

http://www.un.org/disabilities/default.asp?id=1597