December 3rd is a day to commemorate the challenges and achievements individuals with disabilities face on a day-to-day basis.
This year’s theme from the United Nations is: Fostering disability inclusive societies for advancing social progress.
Advocating for global inclusiveness for all; in particular, for individuals who are employable. The United Nations emphasizes poverty reduction as a huge global issue and hasn’t been corrected through political allies. In Canada, each province has differing income assistance programs that do not, currently, align with cost-of-living, causing mental, physical and financial stress. For individuals with disabilities to become successfully employed, many have educational requirements in job postings, which can restrict many from applying and given an opportunity to flourish. I am grateful for the 9+ years of consistent employment offering me transferrable skills for my next career journey. Financial stability provides positive mental well-being and future security in retirement.
Many individuals affected by disasters lose the financial stability to support themselves during the recovery phase. Many organizations and Disaster Financial Assistance (DFA) have limited resources to assist individuals and families; in particular, Indigenous communities that have children and family members with disabilities that require extra assistance. Financial barriers during stressful times have compounding factors for an individual with a disability if and when mental and physical health deteriorates. Essential services, such as financial assistance, for PWDs need to be prioritized to ensure they do not “fall through the cracks”.
For more information about IDPWD, visit the United Nations web site:
https://www.un.org/en/observances/day-of-persons-with-disabilities