International Day for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (05/05)

On May 5, the world community celebrates the International Day for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

This date dates back to 1992, when on May 5, people with disabilities simultaneously in 17 European countries spent a day of struggle for equal rights for people with disabilities and against discrimination against people with physical, mental or sensory disabilities. Since then, such events have become traditional and are also held on May 5th.

The purpose of today's — date is to draw the attention of the general public to the problems associated with protecting the rights of people with disabilities, because it is obvious that their rights to employment, accessible education and infrastructure are very often not respected even in economically developed countries, not to mention others.

Not a single category of citizens should be left without the attention of the authorities. Regardless of nationality, religion, property status, health status. The World Health Organization estimates that more than 1 billion people worldwide have some form of disability, corresponding to almost 15% of the world's population. More than 100 million disabled people — children. Moreover, disability indicators are growing, this is due to the aging population and the growth of chronic diseases.

On December 13, 2006, the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities —, one of the first comprehensive human rights treaties of the 21st century, was opened for signature in New York. It entered into force on 3 May 2008 following ratification by 50 States and aims to ensure the full participation of persons with disabilities in the civil, political, economic, social and cultural life of society, the elimination of discrimination on the basis of disability, the protection of persons with disabilities and their enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms, as well as the creation of effective legal mechanisms to ensure these rights.

Russia signed the Convention in 2008, and on May 3, 2012, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev signed a federal law on its ratification, which created additional guarantees for ensuring, protecting and developing the social and economic rights of people with disabilities in the country.

In Russia, disabled people — is one of the most vulnerable categories of the population (Photo: gillmar, licensed by Shutterstock.com)

In Russia, disabled people — is one of the most vulnerable categories of the population. According to Rosstat and the Pension Fund (as of February 1, 2022), the number of disabled people in the country — is more than 10.6 million people, of which more than 700 thousand are children. More than 700 thousand people become disabled every year. Many of them need constant outside care and expensive medications.

Therefore, on the International Day for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, events «Disabled — equal member of society» are held annually in many Russian cities, as well as many other charitable and educational events, special conferences and rallies with the sole purpose of — fighting for the rights of people with disabilities to live a normal, full life.

Let us remind you that the International Day of Persons with Disabilities is celebrated annually on December 3.



• Infographics – poster «5 May — International Day for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities» • Story «"You restored my faith in people"»

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