“This year’s International Day of Persons with Disabilities reminds us that we need the leadership of people with disabilities more than ever,” Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in his message. He highlighted their important role as change agents and leaders in communities around the world.
’Without us, nothing for us’The day comes at a time when countries have recently signed the Pact for the Future) has been adopted. Under this, it has been resolved to address the long-standing inequalities faced by more than one billion people with disabilities around the world. The 2024 theme – “Promoting leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future” – reinforces the core principle of the disability rights movement “Without us, nothing for us”. Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) have launched community-led It has played an important role in promoting inclusive growth through initiatives, advocating universal access to basic services, and data collection, consultation and accountability efforts. The day comes at a time when there is widespread awareness of the need to remove barriers that prevent people with disabilities from participating in all aspects of society. The Secretary-General warned that “from conflicts and climate disasters to poverty and inequality “People with disabilities continue to be disproportionately impacted by the crises plaguing our world.” He said these challenges are compounded by “persistent discrimination, stigma, and barriers to access to basic rights and services.” He said people with disabilities are often “denied the right to contribute to solutions to these crises.” Shaping the Digital FutureThis year’s International Day of Persons with Disabilities focuses on the role of people with disabilities in technological innovation. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stressed that the participation of persons with disabilities in technological progress is essential. The Secretary-General said, “It is important to recognize the important role of persons with disabilities in shaping a future equipped with digital and assistive technologies… It becomes an agent of change in communities.” The Secretary-General said that with emerging technologies increasingly integrated into daily life, people with disabilities “must be actively included in the decision processes that affect their Looking to the future Secretary-General António Guterres said that next year’s World Summit on Social Development is a unique opportunity to take forward these commitments. “People with disabilities are agents of change in every community,” the Secretary-General said. And are peacekeepers. He is also a leader.” The Secretary-General called for collective action to ensure inclusion and representation at all levels of society. Secretary-General António Guterres said, “On this important day and every day, let us join hands with people with disabilities to build an inclusive and sustainable future for all. “Pave the way for.”