International Day of Disabilities

Disability Day, or International Day of Disabilities, is a United Nations awareness day. It aims to encourage a better understanding of people affected by a disability, help raise awareness of disability rights, dignity and welfare of disabled people. It also promotes the benefits of integrating disabled persons into every aspect of life, from economic, to political, social and cultural realms.

Who celebrates?

Everyone – it’s a global awareness day!

How do people celebrate?

People and organisations celebrate via educational events about different disabilities, raising awareness of disability rights and promoting accessibility internally and externally.

What should I know?

• Disability Day is not concerned exclusively with either mental or physical disabilities, but rather encompasses all known disabilities
• 14.1 million people in the UK have a disability
• 19% of working age people in the UK have a disability
• The spending power of people with disabilities in the UK is over £16 billion.

How can I support others?

• Learn about the social model of disability and disability facts in the UK using the additional resources
• Talk about the people with disabilities in your life and how disability does not define them
• Talk to your colleagues about the disability representation among your volunteer, employee and service user population and what you’re doing to ensure you are representative
• Make your colleagues and service users aware of the accessibility and adjustments available in your organisation.

Scope’s disability factsheet: https://www.scope.org.uk/media/disability-facts-figures/

Scope’s information on the social model of disability: https://www.scope.org.uk/about-us/social-model-of-disability/