International Day of Persons with Disabilities

"Transformation towards a sustainable and resilient society for all" is the theme chosen by the United Nations to celebrate the International Day of Persons with Disabilities for this year. Since 1992, the United Nations has celebrated the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 3 of each year all around the world, coinciding with the anniversary of the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities—one of the international treaties concluded by the United Nations to date.

This year's celebration theme focused on the fundamental principle of equal opportunities, which is that we "will leave no one behind", seeking to activate the roles of persons with disabilities at all levels and emphasizing that they are an integral part of progress and advancement. Hence comes the importance of effectively including persons with disabilities in society, given its great significance in creating opportunities and equality. It is worth mentioning in this regard the initiative of the Royal Commission in Yanbu to replace "special needs" signs with "People of Determination".

This year's theme carries within it 17 goals to empower changes and transformations in societies: the first is eradicating poverty, as well as zero hunger, alongside good health and well-being, quality education, also gender equality, clean water and sanitation services, in addition to affordable and clean energy, decent work and economic growth, as well as industry, innovation and infrastructure, reducing inequalities within countries, in addition to working on sustainable cities and communities, responsible consumption and production, also climate action, life below water, life on land, striving for peace, justice and strong institutions, and finally building partnerships to achieve the goals.

In recent statistics cited by the United Nations, one billion people of the world's population (1 in every 7 people) suffer from some form of disability,

and more than 100 million people with disabilities are children, and 50 percent of people with disabilities cannot afford healthcare expenses.

The United Nations has addressed several themes in previous years: in 2016, the theme was "Achieving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals for Our Desired Future"; in 2015, it focused on inclusion issues "Access and Empowerment of People of Diverse Abilities"; in 2014, "Sustainable Development, Promises of the Technology Era"; prior to that in 2013, it focused on breaking barriers, open doors "For an Inclusive Society and Development for All"; in 2012, "Removing Barriers to Create an Inclusive and Accessible Society for All"; in 2011, "Together for a Better World for All Including Persons with Disabilities in Development"; 2010 was about fulfilling the promise: "Mainstreaming Disability in the Millennium Development Goals towards 2015 and Beyond"; in 2009, including the Millennium Development Goals: "Improving the Lives of Persons with Disabilities and Their Communities around the World"; in 2008, it was about the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: "Dignity and Justice for All"; in 2007, "Decent Work for Persons with Disabilities"; in 2006, "Electronic Accessibility"; 2005 was about the rights of persons with disabilities: "Actions Under Development"; in 2004, "Nothing Concerning Us Without Us"; in 2003, the title was "A Voice Stemming from Us"; in 2002, "Independent Living and Sustainable Life"; in 2001, the theme was on full participation and equality: "The Call for a New Principle in Progress and Outcome Assessment"; in 2000, "Making Information Technology Suitable for All"; and the year 1999, "Accessibility for All to the New Millennium"; and in 1998, "Arts, Culture and Independent Living".

Raising community awareness about persons with disabilities and their rights is the foundational building block for achieving structural changes that allow giving everyone their rightful due, and creating an integrated and cohesive society where justice and equality prevail.

Originally published in Arabic. This English version was produced with AI-assisted translation; the Arabic original remains the reference.