International Day of Persons with Disabilities!

Today is International Day of Persons with Disabilities!

International Day of Persons with Disabilities was proclaimed as an international, annual day of observance day by the United Nations in the year 1992. To quote, “it aims to promote the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities in all spheres of society and development, and to increase awareness of the situation of persons with disabilities in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life”.

The 2017 theme is: “Transformation towards sustainable and resilient society for all”.

The 2030 agenda is to “leave no on behind”. To further explain –

The Secretary-General’s message on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities –

“Resilience is central to achieving sustainable development. In its pledge to leave no one behind, the 2030 Agenda embodies a commitment to building the capacities of those who face marginalization and exclusion, in order to reduce their vulnerability to economic, social and environmental shocks.

In recent years, the international community has achieved notable progress in advancing the rights of the world’s one billion persons with disabilities. Disability is recognized as a cross-cutting issue in the 2030 agenda, the New Urban Agenda and the Sendal Framework on Disaster Risk Reduction.

Yet, persons with disabilities remain too often excluded from the design, planning and implementation of policies and programmes that have an impact on their lives. Too often they face discrimination in labour markers and in access to education and other services. To overcome this challenge, services and products must be ensured by, for and with persons with disabilities. We must build on their agency, working together to design, develop and implement affordable and innovative solutions to realize equality for all.

On the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, let us remove physical and cultural barriers, build resilient societies and create opportunities that truly leave no one behind.”

Quick Facts:

-       over 1 billion individuals in the world have a form of disability

o   1 in 7 people

-       more than 100 million of these individuals are children

-       80% live in developing countries

-       the disability population is considered the “world’s largest minority” population

-       individuals typically experience:

o   typically have poorer health

o   academic achievements are lower/less

§  poor access to education in many developing countries

o   fewer job opportunities

o   higher rates of poverty

In Haiti, individuals with disabilities are viewed as worthless and non-human. It is common that children with a disability are neglected, abused, and/or abandoned. Disabilities are viewed as a curse and it is a common belief that disabilities are contagious. A great deal of fear surrounds disability, as there is a significant lack of understanding of disability.

BUT so much GOOD is occurring in Haiti – MANY organizations, individuals are fighting for the rights of those with disabilities. Many individuals are opening their hearts and minds and advocating for disability in Haiti. It’s a slow process, but there is movement occurring. Each little thing, plants a seed. That seed will grow into something much larger than the initial seed planted. Together, the seeds will blossom into something BIG!!

I pray for the day that education and awareness surrounding the disability population in Haiti expands and branches out to reach all communities. I pray for the day that individuals with disabilities are accepted and loved without conditions. I pray for the day that cultural and social stigmas are wiped away and the fear and misunderstanding of disabilities disappear. I will be looking forward to seeing the 2030 vision come to live in Haiti and all other areas of the world. 

As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth.

His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?"

"Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world."

John 9: 1-5

Psalm 139: 13-16
For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; 
your works are wonderful, 
I know that full well. 
My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, 
when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. 
Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.