International Day of Disabled Persons
3 December 2005
- United Nations Headquarters, United States of America
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On 2 December 2005, A panel discussion was held on the theme, "Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Action in Development."
Bill Albert of the United Kingdom's Department for International Development (DFID) and the International Disability Equality Agency (IDEA) spoke on "A Rights-based Approach to Disability and Development". Linda Mastandrea, of the International Paralympic Committee addressed "Disability, Sports and Development". Johan Scholvinck, Director of the Division for Social Policy and Development in the Department of Economic and Social Affairs, gave the opening remarks.
Also to mark the International Day, the award-winning documentary Murderball (http:/www.murderballmovie.com) was screened, in the UN Dag Hammarskjold Auditorium, with co-director Dana Adam Shapiro in attendance.
- United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific
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The panel discussion focused on roles media play in portraying persons with disabilities. The panel discussion aimed at providing both regional and global situational analysis of media portrayal of persons with disabilities and forward-looking efforts done in media which contribute to change negative perceptions of persons with disabilities.
- Bangladesh
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The National Forum of Organizations Working with the Disabled (NFOWD) organized activities for International Day of Disabled Persons in cooperation with the Ministry of Social Welfare of the Government of Bangladesh. On 3 December, a rally was held near Parliament House, led by the country's Honorable Minister of Social Welfare. The 2nd National Disability Fair was held 5-9 December in Dhaka.
- Cambodia
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The Cambodian Disabled People's Organization (CDPO) organized a marathon starting at Siem Reap on 26 November. More than 1000 people with various disabilities from different areas and organizations participated.
- Fiji
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The 2005 national celebration for the International Day of Disabled Persons was held in Loutoka, the second largest city in Fiji on 11 November 2005. About 500 people took part in the day's event which also included entertainment by students with disabilities, a speakers bureau, lots of music and fun. On the 3 December, the Fiji Disabled People's Association conducted an access audit in the capital city CBD. Also, the Microfinance Group involving some unemployed persons with disabilities also held a fundraising event on the night of IDD.
- India
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Organisations planned cultural and sports activities in
a festive way; seminars, workshops, awareness camps,
discussion forums, conventions, rallies, and activities
highlighted the issues of non-implementation of the Disability
Act in state capitals and districts.National Disability Network Partners sent representatives to Delhi to participate in the World Disability Day activities organised by the National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People (N.C.P.E.D.P.); associate disability organisations organised a one-hour cultural event followed by a Walk to Freedom from India Gate to Rashtrapati Bhawan. AAMAD and disability theatre.com - a production house and Internet site promoting integrated art and culture for people with disabilities, organised World Disability Week observed from 1 and 7 December - called "Possible". This cultural festival showcased the works created by people with disabilities that would include plays, movies and a painting exhibition.
- Japan
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Japanese Society for Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities in collaboration with Japan Disability Forum (JDF) and Health and Welfare, the Social Welfare and Medical Service Cooperation of Japan organized the International Seminar on "Support Disabled People in Asia Pacific" held on 3 December 2005 at Sony Ginza Building. This seminar was organized as part of the series of relevent events on Disabled Persons' Week in Japan. The purpose of the seminar was to introduce various international cpperation activities in the disability field in Asia and the Pacific. Three representatives from APCD also joined this International Seminar as resouce persons to present APCD activities, its experiences in promoting IL concept and lessons learned from international cooperation. The resource persons also included Ms. Keiko Matsuyama from Association for Aid and Relief (AAR), Japan, Mr. Takeo Ogura from World Federation of the Deaf, Mr. Yutaka Takamine from University of the Ryukyus and Ms. Kozue Kay Nagata, Social Affairs Officer, UN ESCAP.
- New Zealand
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An event was organised by the Museum of New Zealand - Te Papa Tongarewa, in partnership with the Assembly of People with Disabilities and the Wellington City Council.
- Nepal
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National Federation of the Disabled-Nepal (NFDN) planned various celebration activities at national and regional levels, in order to demonstrate the potential of persons with disabilities. The activities were a one-day meeting on 'Positive Discrimination: Need and Importance', a Blood Donation program including Persons with Disabilities, Media Campaign (press conference, articles, publications, interviews, and an interaction programme), National and regional level procession, including relevant Government authorities, Self-help organizations (SHOs), Disabled Peoples' Organizations (DPOs), and all stakeholders.
- Pakistan
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1. Pakistan Association of the Deaf (PAD) staged a
peaceful protest to get the attention of the media and
government concerning the rights of persons with disabilities
followed by a program. -
2. On 3 December the Society for Disabled Women (SDW) staged a general public awareness program. SDW published pamphlets in the Urdu and English languages on the rights and recognition of disabled women and children which were distributed to the general public in schools and offices related to human development stressing the importance of 3 December as the "International Day for Disabled Persons".
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3. Special Talent Exchange Program (STEP) in collaboration with Handicap International conducted a seminar on 3 December 2005 in Islamabad with the theme, "Let's not Leave Them Halfway". About 100 Persons with hearing, visual, and physical impairments participated. One of the most crucial aspects of the disability movement is the inability to speak with the government, policy makers, and civil society.
- Papua New Guinea
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East Sepik Disabled Persons' Association (ESDPA), a new self-help organization for people with disabilities in Papua New Guinea, celebrated the launch of their organization on 3 December 2005.
- Samoa
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The National Council of People with Disabilities in Samoa held the event on the main island of Savaii on 2 December. The day's activities included a march, short ceremony, entertainment, and refreshments. People with disabilities from around the country were in attendance, as well as representatives of the Samoan government.
- Thailand
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1. HRH Princess Soamsawali graciously presided over the opening ceremony of the 41th Day of Disabled Persons organized by the National Council on Social Welfare of Thailand on 12 November 2005 at Suan Am-Porn. There were exhibitions concerning disabled persons and demonstrations on cooking, assistive devices, a singing contest, and shows by prominent actors with the theme Thai Promotion and Development of Well-Being of Persons with Disabilities.
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2. H.E. Mr. Wattana Muegnsuk, Minister of Social Development and Human Security, presided over the opening ceremony of International Day of Disabled Persons 2005 and presented awards of recognition to honour persons and organisations who supported disabled persons as well as their employment. In addition, there was a workshop on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Action in Development held on 1 December 2005 at Prince Palace Hotel, Bangkok.
- Tonga
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In the capital of Nuku'alofa, the Disability Self Advocacy Group (NATA) and the disability service providers run by the Red Cross held a street Float Parade down main street of the city. This parade was followed by a ceremony in a public park with speakers talking about why it is important for people with disabilities to be involved in society. That evening there was a film shown in the same public park, depicting people with disabilities as empowered and involved.
- Viet Nam
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Beauty in Diversity was a joint celebration in honour of World AIDS Day (Dec. 1), International Day of Disability, and International Volunteer Day (Dec. 5). The day was dedicated to recognizing the diverse range of individuals living with or affected by disability and those living with or affected by HIV/AIDS. Moreover, the day is in recognition of the wide range of individuals that volunteer their time and energy to contribute to their community's needs.
The afternoon's events began with opening remarks from a senior government official and Mr. Jordan Ryan, the UN Resident Coordinator in Vietnam. Following the opening ceremony, there was a series of educational, fun, and entertaining activities taking place on stage. In addition, within the park grounds surrounding the stage, there were information booths, additional games and delicious refreshments.
