On International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD) we explore this year’s theme: “United in action to rescue and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals for, with and by persons with disabilities”. We also share ways you and your organisation can participate in this significant day. The 2023 theme for IDPwD encourages collective efforts to improve the world for people with disability.

The United Nations (UN) states that more than one billion people, or 15 percent of the global population, live with some form of disability, constituting the world’s largest minority. Alarmingly, 80 percent live in developing countries. In Australia, approximately 4.4 million people, or one in six, live with a disability. Disabilities vary widely, and some disabilities are invisible. Since 1992, IDPwD has been promoting awareness of disability issues and advocating for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities.

The 2023 IDPwD theme aims to include those with disabilities in the efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs reports that the SDGs are at risk:

• The world is not on track to reach numerous SDGs targets by 2030.
• Preliminary findings from the forthcoming UN Disability and Development Report 2023 indicate that the world is even more off track in meeting several SDGs for persons with disabilities. Unfortunately, the world’s poorest and most vulnerable are often the hardest hit in times of crisis.
• The goal to rescue the SDGs for, with and by persons with disabilities need to be intensified and accelerated, given that persons with disabilities have historically been marginalised and have often been among those left furthest behind.
• A fundamental shift in commitment, solidarity, financing and action is critical. Integral to this is the inclusion of the voices, needs and priorities of the global community of persons with disabilities in all their diversity.
• Encouragingly, with the adoption of the Political Declaration of the recent SDG Summit, world leaders have recommitted themselves to achieving sustainable development and shared prosperity for all, by focusing on policies and actions that target the poorest and most vulnerable, including persons with disabilities.
• This calls for re-energised efforts by Member States, the United Nations system, civil society and the global community of persons with disabilities, through enhanced actions and international cooperation, to make the SDGs a reality for, with and by persons with disabilities.

How to participate in IDPwD 2023

For ORGANISATIONS, IDPwD is an ideal opportunity to:

• hold or attend an event on, or around, 3 December to celebrate
• attend an official IDPwD event in person or online
• join or start a conversation in your community to promote awareness, understanding and acceptance of people with disability
• read, watch and listen to the stories and experiences of people with disability to challenge your attitudes and assumptions
• take action in your workplace to remove barriers and improve accessibility for people with disability
• help spread the word and share your messages of support for #IDPwD online
• work on a Disability Action Plan
• co-design a new program with employees with disability,
• launch an organisation-wide policy, plan or initiative that places disability inclusion on the agenda, through:- develop a new disability action plan- support local disability organisations- encourage conversations.

For INDIVIDUALS:

• Use social media to spread the word about IDPwD 2023 using the hashtags #IDPwD and #lookbeyond
• Engage with the 2023 IDPwD ambassadors.
• Discover events and activities in your area or online to participate in.

Victoria’s Action Plan

Victoria has a “Getting to Work: Victorian Public Sector Disability Employment Action Plan 2018-2025” in place to increase the representation of people with disability in the public workforce, from 4% to 6% by 2020 and then 12% by 2025. As of the 2022 People Matter survey, the VPSC report that 7.8% of the VPSC identify as a person with disability.

The plan's 21 actions are categorised into three focus areas:

1. Build awareness through access of information
2. Attract and recruit people with disability
3. Support employees with disability.

The plan acknowledges the uniqueness of every workplace and the necessity for various approaches to increase awareness and foster change.

Resources

• International Day of People with Disability
• IDPwD events
• World Health Organisation IDPwD
• IDPwD Ambassadors
• IDPwD
• VPSC Getting to Work
• VPSC Data

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IMAGE: IDPwD

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A participant in the UN Global Compact, CourtHeath seeks to raise awareness about the sustainable development goals and the principles of the Global Compact with business and government organisations in Victoria. The elimination of all forms of discrimination in respect to employment and occupation is Principle 6 of the Global Compact. The Global Compact repudiates labour discrimination internationally.

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