WBU statement on International Day of persons with disabilities – 3 December 2020

November 27, 2020 10:47 am Published by Legacy Account

The World Blind Union (WBU), joins the rest of the world on Thursday 3^rd December 2020 to observe the International Day of Persons with Disabilities under the theme “building back better, toward a disability inclusive, accessible and sustainable post Covid-19 world”.

The annual observance of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities was proclaimed in 1992 by United Nations General Assembly. It aims to promote the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities and to increase awareness of their situation in every aspect of political, social, economic, and cultural life.

As the world grapples with the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, many decisions by policy-makers have failed to take into consideration the rights of persons with disabilities enshrined in the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS). This is evident in our recent report – “COVID-19, AMPLIFYING VOICES: OUR LIVES, OUR SAY” – following a global study which examines the extent to which COVID-19 pandemic has exposed some deep structural inequalities in society. Data gathered from the study is evidencing that persons with disabilities, older persons, and persons from lower socioeconomic status backgrounds are among those hardest hit by the pandemic. While this report puts a spotlight on the voices of blind and partially sighted persons, many of the experiences shared strongly resonate with numerous other studies conducted by other organizations of persons with disabilities internationally.

In order to ensure that no one is left behind in any aspect, we take this opportunity to call for effective collaboration with representative organizations of persons with disabilities, governments, communities, civil society, UN and other international agencies, and the private sector as we collectively strive to build and sustain a better, more inclusive post-COVID society.

For further information about advancing the rights of persons with disabilities, please visit the International Disability Alliance (IDA) website.

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The World Blind Union (WBU) is the global organization that represents the estimated 253 million people worldwide who are blind or partially sighted. Members consist of organizations of blind people advocating on their own behalf and organizations that serve the blind, in over 190 countries, as well as international organizations working in the field of vision impairment. Visit our website at www.worldblindunion.org