International Day
of PWDs

Published by the Visayan Daily Star Publications, Inc.

NINFA R. LEONARDIA Editor-in-Chief & President

CARLA P. GOMEZ Editor GUILLERMO TEJIDA III Desk Editor PATRICK PANGILINAN Busines Editor NIDA A. BUENAFE Sports Editor RENE GENOVE Bureau Chief, Dumaguete MAJA P. DELY Advertising Coordinator

CARLOS ANTONIO L. LEONARDIA Administrative Officer

Approximately 15 percent of the world's population, or one billion people, live with some form of disability. People with disabilities, or PWDs, often called the “world's largest minority”, still face barriers that hinder their full participation in many aspects of society. These barriers come in different forms, from the physical environment, to information and communications technology, to societal attitudes and discrimination. The result is that persons with disabilities do not enjoy equal access to society or services, including education, employment, health care, transportation, political participation or justice.

Today the United Nations observes the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, with this year's theme being “Removing barriers to create inclusive and accessible society for all”. This theme is in line with evidence and experience that show when barriers to inclusion are removed and persons with disabilities are fully empowered to participate in societal life, the entire community benefits. The elimination of those barriers are therefore seen as necessary for progress and development, not just for those with disabilities, but for everybody in the community.

The International Day of Persons with Disabilities may not get as much attention and fanfare as the recently concluded World Aids Day, but the sheer number of people in the world affected by disabilities show that it deserves as much. Let us be aware that today aims to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilizing support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities; as well as seeks to increase awareness of the gains to be derived from the inclusion of persons with disabilities in every aspect of life.

It is highly likely that each of us knows somebody with a disability and yet we take for granted how difficult their life can be because of limited access to many of life's basic needs. There are those of us who assume that once wheelchairs are provided, everything will be alright and fail to see that many barriers, both figurative and literal, still remain. Most sidewalks, modes of public transportation, buildings, and other establishments, whether privately owned or government; are still notoriously unfriendly towards those with disabilities.

To be fair, we have made progress when it comes to making our cities more accessible for persons with disabilities and senior citizens, but the fact of the matter is that there is still a lot of work to be done and the government and the private sector still have to be constantly reminded of the needs of the world's largest minority. Let us keep that in mind for the rest of the year and never stop working to make our society better for everybody, regardless of their abilities or disabilities.*