International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2025 (UN) Disability Inclusion Matters

December 3 is the UN International Day of Persons with Disabilities, honoring the United Nation's commitment for promoting the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities - more than 1 billion people worldwide are in this demographic, the world's largest minority. The day raises awareness of the political, economic, social and cultural aspects of disability that affects people around the world.

The theme for 2025 is: Fostering Disability-Inclusive Societies for Advancing Social Progress, reaffirming the commitment to building a just, inclusive and equitable world.  The theme the important role that persons with disabilities play in creating a more inclusive and accessible world for all. It also emphasizes the importance of the participation of persons with disabilities in decision-making processes that affect their lives. More information about the UN In-Person New York Commemoration event is from 10-11a.  You can watch it live at the following link: https://zoom.us/j/91600322753.


Working toward an accessible future is everyone's responsibility. As a campus, we engage together to create a future which insists that people are not needlessly excluded due to health conditions that create substantial limitations in how people engage with the world. Currently some ways that  campus members can participate are:


UMBC's Accessibility & Disability Services partners with the entire campus community -departments, groups, and individuals - to overcome barriers. Student Disability Services  is a resource for all students with disabilities. We have a strong partnership with Facilities Management and  UMBC Sustainability as well.

If there is an accessibility concern on campus - report it via this linked form.  With Facilities Management as central for maintenance or repair reporting - the best, first step is to report repairs to Work Control via 410-455-2550 or Workorder@umbc.edu.  For residential hall repair conditions, non-emergencies can be reported to http://fxit.umbc.edu, and emergencies can be called in to the FXIT line: 410-455-3948.

Looking for more content?  ADA Live Episode 88 A Day For All discusses IDPD

Need a theme song?  Artist James Ian's song "Spaces" and inclusive, collaborative process with his Spinal Muscular Atrophy community were featured on CANVAS (link).  (Spaces song link).

Musician Gaelynn Lea shares how Accessibility is the New Punk Rock live on stage at The Moth 

Peace Corp Worker Josh Swiller on What I Lost in Africa

Professor Sara Hendren shares on Our Bodies, Aliveness and The Built World via the On Being podcast.





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December 3 is the UN International Day of Persons with Disabilities, honoring the United Nation's commitment for promoting the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities - more than 1 billion people worldwide are in this demographic, the world's largest minority. The day raises awareness of the political, economic, social and cultural aspects of disability that affects people around the world. 

The theme for 2024 is: Amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future.  The theme the important role that persons with disabilities play in creating a more inclusive and sustainable world for all. It also emphasizes the importance of the participation of persons with disabilities in decision-making processes that affect their lives. More information about the UN In-Person New York Commemoration event is from 10-11a.  The event will be streamed online from 11:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. You can watch it live at the following link: https://webtv.un.org/en/asset/k1w/k1wej4fsjh.


Working toward an accessible future is everyone's responsibility. As a campus, we engage together to create a future which insists that people are not needlessly excluded due to health conditions that create substantial limitations in how people engage with the world. Currently some ways that  campus members can participate are:


UMBC's Accessibility & Disability Services partners with the entire campus community -departments, groups, and individuals - to overcome barriers. Student Disability Services  is a resource for all students with disabilities. We have a strong partnership with Facilities Management and  UMBC Sustainability as well.

If there is an accessibility concern on campus - report it via this linked form.  With Facilities Management as central for maintenance or repair reporting - the best, first step is to report repairs to Work Control via 410-455-2550 or Workorder@umbc.edu.  For residential hall repair conditions, non-emergencies can be reported to http://fxit.umbc.edu, and emergencies can be called in to the FXIT line: 410-455-3948.

Looking for more content?  ADA Live Episode 88 A Day For All discusses IDPD

Need a theme song?  Artist James Ian's song "Spaces" and inclusive, collaborative process with his Spinal Muscular Atrophy community were featured on CANVAS (link).  (Spaces song link).

Musician Gaelynn Lea shares how Accessibility is the New Punk Rock live on stage at The Moth 

Peace Corp Worker Josh Swiller on What I Lost in Africa

Professor Sara Hendren shares on Our Bodies, Aliveness and The Built World via the On Being podcast.





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December 1 is the UN International Day of Persons with Disabilities, honoring the United Nation's commitment for promoting the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities - more than 1 billion people worldwide are in this demographic, the world's largest minority. The day raises awareness of the political, economic, social and cultural aspects of disability that affects people around the world. 

The theme for 2023 is "united in action to rescue and achieve Sustainable Development Goals for, with and by persons with disabilities.  The theme reflects recent consideration of the impacts of COVID-19, climate change, and the invasion Ukraine. More information about the UN Virtual New York Commemoration event, including registration is linked here.  To view the December 1 10a-1p activities remotely, click here at that time.


Working toward an accessible future is everyone's responsibility. As a campus, we engage together to create a future which insists that people are not needlessly excluded due to health conditions that create substantial limitations in how people engage with the world. Report barriers when you encounter them - at UMBC our accessibility concern form is available 24/7 to report any issues that arise: https://accessibility.umbc.edu/report-campus-accessibility-concern/.

UMBC's Accessibility & Disability Services partners with the entire campus community -departments, groups, and individuals - to overcome barriers. Student Disability Services  is a resource for all students with disabilities. We have a strong partnership with UMBC Sustainability as well.

If there is an accessibility concern on campus - report it via this linked form.  With Facilities Management maintenance or repair reporting - the best, first step is to report it to Work Control via 410-455-2550 or Workorder@umbc.edu.  For residential hall repair conditions, non-emergencies can be reported to http://fxit.umbc.edu, and emergencies can be called in to the FXIT line: 410-455-3948.

Looking for more content?  ADA Live Episode 88 A Day For All discusses IDPD

Need a theme song?  Artist James Ian's song "Spaces" and inclusive, collaborative process with his Spinal Muscular Atrophy community were featured on CANVAS (link).  Spaces song link.

Musician Gaelynn Lea shares how Accessibility is the New Punk Rock live on stage at The Moth 

Professor Sara Hendren shares on Our Bodies, Aliveness and The Built World via the On Being podcast.

A thumbnail of a signpost with more than ten colorful directional arrows  naming several countries and their distances in French/kilometers 




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December 3rd is the UN International Day of Persons with Disabilities, honoring the United Nation's commitment for promoting the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities - more than 1 billion people worldwide are in this demographic, the world's largest minority. The day raises awareness of the political, economic, social and cultural aspects of disability that affects people around the world. 

The theme for 2022 is transformative solutions for inclusive development: the role of innovation in fueling an accessible and equitable world.  The theme reflects recent consideration of the impacts of COVID-19, climate change, and the invasion Ukraine. More information about the UN Virtual New York Commemoration event, including registration is linked here.

UMBC is recognizing this important day with the screening of the documentary, I Didn't See You There on Monday December 5 at 4p in Admin 101 (link) - please join us for this award-winning film, which will be followed by discussion/Q&A.


Working toward an accessible future is everyone's responsibility. As a campus, we engage together to create a future which insists that people are not needlessly excluded due to health conditions that create substantial limitations in how people engage with the world. Report barriers when you encounter them - at UMBC our accessibility concern form is available 24/7 to report any issues that arise: https://accessibility.umbc.edu/report-campus-accessibility-concern/.

UMBC's Accessibility & Disability Services partners with the entire campus community -departments, groups, and individuals - to overcome barriers. Student Disability Services  is a resource for all students with disabilities.

If there is an accessibility concern on campus - report it via this linked form.  With Facilities Management maintenance or repair reporting - the best, first step is to report it to Work Control via 410-455-2550 or Workorder@umbc.edu.  For residential hall repair conditions, non-emergencies can be reported to http://fxit.umbc.edu, and emergencies can be called in to the FXIT line: 410-455-3948.

Looking for more content?  ADA Live Episode 88 discusses IDPD

Need a theme song?  Artist James Ian's song "Spaces" and inclusive, collaborative process with his Spinal Muscular Atrophy community were recently featured on CANVAS (link).  Spaces song link.

Photo still from I Didn't See You There documentary accompanies this post: Closed reflective doors with fill the screen, showing a large red circus tent with a silouhette of a man in a power wheelchair in the foreground.




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December 3rd is the UN International Day of Persons with Disabilities, honoring the United Nation's commitment for promoting the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities. The day raises awareness of the political, economic, social and cultural aspects of disability that affects people around the world.

More than 1 billion people in the world have a disability. At fifteen percent (15%) of the world’s population, persons with disabilities account for the world’s largest minority. Furthermore, one out of every seven people is affected by disability. 

Read more from the WHO about Why is the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Important?

The theme for IDPD this year is "Leadership and participation of persons with disabilities toward an inclusive, accessible and sustainable post-COVID-19 world."   The Secretary-General's message on International Day of Persons with Disabilities is linked here.

Working toward an accessible future is everyone's responsibility. We engage together to create a future which insists that people are not excluded due to their health conditions that create substantial limitations in how they engage with the world. Report barriers when you encounter them - at UMBC our accessibility concern form is available 24/7 to work with any issues that arise: https://accessibility.umbc.edu/report-campus-accessibility-concern/.

UMBC's Accessibility & Disability Services partners with the entire campus community -departments, groups, and individuals - to overcome barriers. Student Disability Services  is a resource for all students with disabilities.

If there is an accessibility concern on campus - report it via this linked form.  With Facilities Management maintenance or repair reporting - the best, first step is to report it to Work Control via 410-455-2550 or Workorder@umbc.edu.  For residential hall repair conditions, non-emergencies can be reported to http://fxit.umbc.edu, and emergencies can be called in to the FXIT line: 410-455-3948.

Looking for more content?  ADA Live Episode 88 discusses IDPD

Need a theme song?  Artist James Ian's song "Spaces" and inclusive, collaborative process with his Spinal Muscular Atrophy community were recently featured on CANVAS (link).  Spaces song link.

Photo of two parallel rows of flags of over 100 nations on a grass path leading to a brown United Nations building  illustrates this post. Credit: Mat Reding via Unsplash.com




]]> December 3rd is the UN International Day of Persons with Disabilities, honoring the United Nation's commitment for promoting the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities. The day raises... https://www.un.org/development/desa/disabilities/international-day-of-persons-with-disabilities-3-december/idpd2020.html https://beta.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/115440/guest@my.umbc.edu/93ad563217574b8ecf38c094af40765c/api/pixel access accessibility accommodation day disability international nations person service technology umbc united Office of Accessibility & Disability Services https://beta.my.umbc.edu/groups/accessibility https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/xsmall.png?1565792941 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/original.jpg?1565792941 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/xxlarge.png?1565792941 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/xlarge.png?1565792941 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/large.png?1565792941 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/medium.png?1565792941 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/small.png?1565792941 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/xsmall.png?1565792941 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/xxsmall.png?1565792941 Office of Accessibility & Disability Services https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/115/440/16aeb5d063dda0f5f77ad6238190afff/xxlarge.jpg?1638542305 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/115/440/16aeb5d063dda0f5f77ad6238190afff/xlarge.jpg?1638542305 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/115/440/16aeb5d063dda0f5f77ad6238190afff/large.jpg?1638542305 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/115/440/16aeb5d063dda0f5f77ad6238190afff/medium.jpg?1638542305 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/115/440/16aeb5d063dda0f5f77ad6238190afff/small.jpg?1638542305 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/115/440/16aeb5d063dda0f5f77ad6238190afff/xsmall.jpg?1638542305 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/115/440/16aeb5d063dda0f5f77ad6238190afff/xxsmall.jpg?1638542305 2 0 false Fri, 03 Dec 2021 10:19:52 -0500 Fri, 03 Dec 2021 10:20:19 -0500 On Language and Disability: Some Considerations Person-first, Identity first and more. Ask.
Words matter, especially when it comes to disability, and oftentimes, our department engages in both formal and informal outreach and informal communication about how disability - as an identity, a function of identity, concept and experience. - is communicated.  While the National Center on Disability and Journalism has a Disability Language Style Guide (linked here) remains an excellent in-depth resource, it's good to cover some basics.

The two primary ways that we identify with disability in language are person first (person who uses a hearing aid) and identity first (Sandra Mae Frank is a Deaf actor).  Both options have implications for how we, as a community, think about disability, and it is important, when working with individuals to glean  their preference for either centering on identity, or identifying as a person first, which can create distance, especially based on their lived experiences to date. Someone with a person-first perspective may state, "I identify as a person with a disability to separate my Self from the stereotypes and stigma that others associate with disability."

Similarly, identity-first language challenges the miasma of negativity by claiming disability directly.  This directness embraces the diversity of how brains and bodies work, and the how inaccessible systems, structures and environments  persist and are slow to evolve.  It's important to emphasize that identity-first language is an option.  Lenny Letter exemplifies this with  "I don't have autism, I am Autistic." The National Association of the Deaf embraces identity-first language and also acknowledges that Deaf and hard-of-hearing people have the right to choose what they wish to be called.

When referencing disability, naming it explicitly is important.  Accessibility and Disability Services and Student Disability Services embrace the word  "disability" and work with people with any health condition that may qualify as a disability, regardless of how the person self-identifies.   In the same vein, avoid coming across as condescending by not using euphemisms such as handi-capable, diverseability or differently-abled.  We agree with Lawrence Carter Long's #Say the Word Campaign.  Other terms have been retired or don't apply in higher education where the emphasis is access and on not being "Special" and acknowledging that "handicap" is very Last Century. 

The following resources (many with direct links to content) were informed by recent communications from our professional association the Association of Higher Education and Disability/AHEAD. If you would like to explore further, check out these links and books:


●    Becoming Disabled: Rosemarie Garland-Thomson*, New York Times, 2016

●    Being Heumann: An Unrepentant Memoir of a Disability Rights Activist: Judy Heumann (Beacon, 2020)

●    Brilliant Imperfection: Grappling with Cure: Eli Clare (Duke UP, 2017)

●    Claiming Disability: Knowledge and Identity, Simi Linton (NYU Press, 1998)

●    Disability as Diversity: Lilah Burke, Inside Higher Ed., 2020

●    Disability Visibility Project: Alice Wong

●    Disabled: Just Say the Word: Barbara J. King, NPR, 2016

●    Disabled Person or Person with a Disability: Annie Elainey

●    Guidelines: How to Write About People with Disabilities, University of Kansas, Research and Training Center on Independent Living

●    Guidelines for Writing About People with Disabilities: ADA National Network

●    Identity-First Language: Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN)

●    Language and Disability: Explore Access, UA Partners for Inclusive Communities

●    The Language of Disability Activity: Disability as Diversity Toolkit, Explore Access, UA Partners for Inclusive Communities

●    Language Guide: Disability Cultural Center, Syracuse University

●    Leaving Evidence (blog): Mia Mingus

●    PC Labels Do a Disservice: Stephen Stern, Inside Higher Ed., 2020


*Rosemary Garland-Thomson came to UMBC as a speaker for the Dresher Center's Humanities Forum on May 8, 2019



A photo of Scrabble letters stating "choose your words" illustrates this post. Credit: Brett Jordon via unsplash.com

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December 3rd is the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, honoring the United Nation's commitment for promoting the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities. The day raises awareness of the political, economic, social and cultural aspects of disability that affects people around the world.

More than 1 billion people in the world have a disability. At fifteen percent (15%) of the world’s population, persons with disabilities account for the world’s largest minority. Furthermore, one out of every seven people is affected by disability. 

Video Message from Ms. María Soledad Cisternas Reyes, Special Envoy of the United Nations Secretary-General on Disability and Accessibility for the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, 3 December 2020

Read more from the WHO about Why is the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Important?

Working toward an accessible future is everyone's responsibility. We engage together to create a future which insists that people are not excluded due to their health conditions that create substantial limitations in how they engage with the world. Report barriers when you encounter them - at UMBC our accessibility concern form is available 24/7 to work with any issues that arise: https://accessibility.umbc.edu/report-campus-accessibility-concern/.

UMBC's Accessibility & Disability Services partners with the entire campus community -departments, groups, and individuals - to overcome barriers. Student Disability Services  is a resource for all students with disabilities.


Looking for more content?  ADA Live Episode 88

Photo of two parallel rows of flags of over 100 nations on a grass path leading to a brown United Nations building  illustrates this post. Credit: Mat Reding via Unsplash.com

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Each year on December 3rd, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities is honored as the United Nation's commitment for promoting the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities. The day raises awareness of the political, economic, social and cultural aspects of disability that affects people around the world.

More than 1 billion people in the world have a disability. At fifteen percent (15%) of the world’s population, persons with disabilities account for the world’s largest minority. Furthermore, one out of every seven people is affected by disability. 

Working toward an accessible future is everyone's responsibility. We must work together to create a future which insists that people are not excluded due to their health impairments. Report barriers when you encounter them via our accessibility concern form here: https://accessibility.umbc.edu/report-campus-accessibility-concern/ and work with us to overcome barriers.

Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' message is linked below.


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