International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2025 (UN)

Wed, 03 Dec 2025 14:18:01 -0500
access, accessibility, accommodation, day, disability, international, nations, person, service, technology, umbc, united

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. The event will be streamed online from 10:00 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. 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:

Nominating a faculty member as an accessibility champion for this academic year.

Become a UMBC disability ally/ambassador by signing up for an Accessibility Tour (next one is December 8)

Students registered for testing accommodations are reminded to schedule their finals here.

Sign up for Instructional Tech's Accessible PDF Training on December 5

Volunteer for Commencement when the world comes to UMBC, and connect people with accessible seating, ASL seating, and a captioned and live-streamed event.

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