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Ohio University Celebrates International Day Of Persons With Disabilities
< < Back toBy Beth Mishler
Seven out of ten people will develop a disability by the time they reach the age of 50. A disability may be physical, cognitive, mental, sensory, emotional, developmental, or any combination of these. Any individual, at any time, could develop a disability.
The United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons (1983-1992) was created to enable governments and organizations to implement measures to improve the life of disabled persons all over the world. The UN has since proclaimed December 3 to be the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) observance day. The goal is to promote an understanding of disability issues and generate support for the dignity, rights, and full inclusion of persons with disabilities. The theme this year is "Break Barriers, Open Doors: for an inclusive society and development for all."
Sponsored by students at Ohio University, the first local celebration of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities will take place at Grover Center on the Athens campus on Dec. 3. A class of graduate students in Media Arts and Studies brought the idea of creating an event to celebrate IDPD to the Athens City Commission on Disabilities, and together, both citizens and students planned and coordinated the event.
You are invited to take part in this unique occasion on Tuesday, December 3 from 4pm – 8pm. The event is free and open to the public, and will have a variety of interesting facets. Those attending the IDPD event will have the opportunity to: actively participate in various disability simulations, watch several independent films about persons living with disabilities, listen to several enlightening speakers, chat with international student panels with diverse perspectives, and participate in a silent auction that has loads of artwork, gift certificates, and much more!
For more information, contact: nelsonj@ohio.edu
We hope to see you there!