International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2024 (UN)

Mon, 02 Dec 2024 16:02:07 -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 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:

Nominating a faculty member as an accessibility champion by December 11th.

Become a UMBC disability ally/ambassador by signing up for an Accessibility Tour (next one is December 11)

Supervisors training on ADA Accommodations and FMLA is being offered on December 16th

Sign up for Instructional Tech's January 24th Ally/Course Accessibility Training

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

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

A thumbnail of the United Nations building with two rows of member-country flags accompanies the post. Image Credit : Pexels.com