In 1992, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed Dec. 3 as the annual observance of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. This observance is designed to promote the rights and well-being of people with disabilities in every aspect of life, as well as to increase awareness in their communities.
The 2023 theme of the observance is united in action to rescue and achieve sustainable
development goals for, with and by persons with disabilities. The goals were adopted by the United Nations
in 2015 as a universal call to action to balance social, economic and
environmental sustainability. Many of the goals align with FEMA’s commitment to
equity.
"Lived experiences that involve disabilities are universal;
culture, language, and social attitudes play a critical role in making space
for people with disabilities to see their greatest potential," said FEMA
Disability Integration and Coordination Director Sherman Gillums, Jr. “How one navigates
life when using a wheelchair, sign language, screen reader, or other assistive
aids to function independently has evolved over time, and people with
disabilities around the world are becoming more self-determined once they see,
understand, and appreciate the fullest expanse of what they can do with the
right help and support when they need it. This also positions those same people
to help others by potentially making their lived experiences a chapter in
someone else’s survival guide.”
FEMA is committed to equitably delivering programs and services,
as well as shortening the disaster lifecycle for people with disabilities. The
agency works with state, local, tribal and territorial stakeholders to provide
innovative solutions for identifying and addressing concerns and barriers to
access for people with disabilities.
