International Day of Persons with Disabilities: Amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future

Dec 2

According to the UN website (n.d.), a disability is defined as: “a condition or function judged to be significantly impaired relative to the usual standard of an individual of their group. The term is often used to refer to individual functioning, including physical impairment, sensory impairment, cognitive impairment, intellectual impairment, mental illness, and various types of chronic disease”. However, this definition has been criticized for being associated with the medical model of disability that views disabilities from a narrow and limiting perspective, instead of focusing on the achievements and limitless possibilities of what can be done.

Since its inception in 1992 from the United Nations (UN) General Assembly, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities has been commemorated every year when December 3rd comes along. The purpose of this day is to promote the rights and well-being of people living with disabilities in all areas of life (ie. social, political, economic, cultural, etc.) within society and to raise awareness into the lives they live, including both their struggles and the achievements, and to strive towards creating a world that is more accepting and inclusive where they can live freely. The hope is that with increased accessibility and accommodations to meet the needs of people living with disabilities worldwide, that they can participate fully, equally and just as effectively in society in comparison to people who do not face these barriers throughout their lives.

In the year 2024, the theme for this commemorative day is “Amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future.” This theme highlights the agency and decision-making that people living with disabilities have and their shared responsibility in creating a more inclusive and sustainable world for everyone. In a social work context, this theme also aligns with Guiding Principal 1.2 of the Canadian Association of Social Workers (CASW) Code of Ethics, Values and Guiding Principles (2024) that states that “Social Workers promote the self-determination and autonomy of all people”. One of the few things listed from this guiding principle that social workers can do to promote this right to self-determination and autonomy includes taking the steps necessary to ensure they have access to all information and resources to participate in decision-making.

Statistically, people living with disabilities statistically are more likely to experience poorer health, lower educational achievements, fewer job opportunities and higher rates of poverty compared to their able-bodied counterparts. Additionally, people living with disabilities are more likely to become victims of violence, with children living with disabilities 4x more likely to experience violence than non-disabled children. Also, adults living with disabilities are 1.5x more likely to experience violence compared to non-disabled adults, and adults living with mental health conditions are 4x more likely to experience violence compared to adults not living with any mental health conditions. It is believed that contributing factors to this include the misinformation that people living with disabilities face as well as the stigma, discrimination and ignorance about them and their lack of social supports.

Thankfully, there are many government and community-based advocacy groups and programs available to support people living with disabilities including the Government of Canada disability benefits and supports, the Government of Alberta disability supports, the Alberta Council of Disability Services, the International Day of People with Disabilities (IDPWD), Inclusion Alberta, Voice of Albertans with Disabilities (VAD) and the Canadian Paralympics Committee.

In Alberta alone, there have been numerous examples of monumental athletic achievements from people living with disabilities including:

Joey Moss (1963-2020) a beloved dressing room attendant from Edmonton, AB, that was born with Down Syndrome and became well known for his passion and enthusiasm when working with the Edmonton Oilers hockey club and Edmonton Elks football team. In 2015, Joey Moss was inducted into the Alberta Sports’ Hall of Fame to honour his dedication and contributions to both Edmonton teams throughout his career.

Ryan Straschnitzki (1999 - current) - a former hockey player from Calgary, AB, that played for the Humboldt Broncos junior hockey team and became a survivor of the 2018 highway collision team bus crash that left him paralyzed chest down. In the years since that day, Ryan has now been appointed as the first ever ambassador to the company Vecova, and will support them in their mission to advocate for individuals with disabilities and foster a more inclusive community in Calgary. Ryan is also the founder of the Straz Strong Foundation and his goals are to train and play for the Team Canada Paralympics hockey team in 2026.

Reed De’Aeth (2022 - current) - a rising star in the sport of wheelchair basketball from Sherwood Park, AB, who plays for Team Canada’s Senior Men’s Paralympics national team. Reed was born without a fibula and at the age of four needed to have his left foot amputated, but this didn’t stop him from eventually helping Team Canada secure a bronze medal at the 2023 Parapan American games and a sixth-place finish at the 2023 World Championships.

According to the UN website (n.d.), here are some key goals and calls to action expected from social workers and others worldwide:

Promoting the leadership of persons with disabilities in all areas of life.
Ensuring the inclusion of persons with disabilities in all aspects of society.
Increasing the participation of persons with disabilities in decision-making processes.
Raising awareness of the rights of persons with disabilities.
Celebrating the achievements of persons with disabilities.

I will conclude this article from the late English physicist Stephen Hawking (1942-2018) who once said:

“My advice to other disabled people would be, concentrate on things your disability doesn’t prevent you doing well, and don’t regret the things it interferes with. Don’t be disabled in spirit, as well as physically.” (2011).

Written by MSW Practicum student, Erik Yuson.