Around 15% of the world’s population, or one billion people, live with disabilities. People are often unaware of the great number of persons living with disabilities around the world and the challenges they face. The United Nations along with the World Health Organization (WHO) has started a mission to enhance the quality of life for people with disabilities through national, regional and global efforts and to raise awareness about the magnitude and consequences.
Since 2009, the Department of Economic and Social Affairs organizes a film festival as a part of the events at UN Headquarters to commemorate the Day. The United Nations Enable Film Festival (UNEFF) includes short disability-related films selected on the basis of their content and message that can help raise awareness of disability issues and further promote the full and effective participation of persons with disabilities in society.
Theme
Every year a theme is dedicated to this Day and then efforts are made to implement these themes.
Based on the main theme of IDPD 2013, sub-themes can be selected to cover all aspects of society and development, including removing barriers to education, employment, transportation, travel and tourism or sports.
Based on the main theme of IDPD 2013, sub-themes can be selected to cover all aspects of society and development, including removing barriers to education, employment, transportation, travel and tourism or sports.
In India
India has had full participation in the observance of "International Day of Persons with Disabilities" with various Government Organizations and NGO s taking it as a platform to spread awareness amongst the people about the disability issues. A "Walk to Freedom" is organized every year on 3rd December in every State and Union Territories of India symbolizing the distance that disabled people still have to cover to achieve true freedom – freedom which can come with self-reliance and economic independence. The first Walk to Freedom was organized in Delhi on 3rd December, 1997 from India Gate to Vijay Chowk. In 2012, along with the Walk to Freedom, an event will be held at the National Institute of Technology (Calicut) for school children entitled "Role of technology in improving the quality life of people with Disabilities".
(Source : UN- Enable & WHO )
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When we will find the theme of 2018 celebration.
Thanks