International Day of People with Disabilities – Celebrating their Voices  

Today, 3 December, is International Day of People with Disabilities (IDPD) – a time to celebrate and elevate the voices of people with disabilities within our global community.   

This IDPD, we are platforming the voices that matter, showcasing stories that address barriers to inclusion faced by people with disabilities. These powerful short films cover crucial topics like equity, accessibility, climate impact and gender representation:  

Equity and Inclusion  

Accessibility

 Climate

Gender 

People with disabilities make up the largest minority group in the world, being one in every six people globally. Yet, around the world, they are among the most marginalised.  

80% of people with disabilities live in low- and middle- income countries. They are often systematically excluded from all aspects of society and face greater risk of extreme climate change events, displacement and poverty.   

At CBM, we believe it’s wrong that people with disabilities are routinely denied the most basic opportunities like the chance to go to school, earn a living, access health care or participate in their communities.  

We have played an important role in the progress seen to date toward disability inclusion in international development. Now, we must shift the dial and step beyond ‘inclusion’ towards true equity for people with disabilities.  

Image: Deu (39) has Polio. She accessed sewing training and a new tricycle through our partner Nepal Disabled Women Association (NDWA), and now runs her own sewing business.