IDPWD: What is International Day of People with Disability?

• What is IDPWD
• What is IDPWD in Australia
• The International Day of People With Disability theme for 2023
• The 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
• How CoAct can help

December 3 is International Day of People with Disability (IDPWD). IDPWD is an internationally observed United Nations (UN) day that has promoted community awareness, understanding and acceptance of people with disability since 1992 when the General Assembly announced 3 December as the annual date.

What is IDPWD in Australia

In Australia, IDPWD is a joint effort between government, schools, organisations, community groups, businesses and individuals, and an opportunity to be part of creating an inclusive and diverse community for the 4.4 million Australians with disability.

The IDPWD theme for 2023

The United Nations theme for IDPWD 2023 is ‘United in action to rescue and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for, with and by persons with disabilities.’

The SDGs are 17 goals countries want to work on by the year 2030 to make the world better and fairer for everyone. This year’s theme highlights the importance of people with disability being part of this work and genuinely having an impact on how these goals are achieved.

The 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015, is a shared blueprint for “peace and prosperity” for the entire planet, now and in the future.

The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are the foundation of this agenda, and an urgent call for action by each country to end poverty and other deprivations.

Goal 1: No Poverty: End poverty in all its forms everywhere.

Goal 2: Zero Hunger: End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture.

Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.

Goal 4: Quality Education: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.

Goal 5: Gender Equality: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.

Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation: Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.

Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy: Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.

Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all.

Goal 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and foster innovation.

Goal 10: Reduced Inequality: Reduce inequality within and among countries.

Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.

Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns.

Goal 13: Climate Action: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.

Goal 14: Life Below Water: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources for sustainable development.

Goal 15: Life on Land: Protect, restore, and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss.

Goal 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions: Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels.

Goal 17: Partnerships to Achieve the Goal: Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development.

How CoAct can help

At CoAct we have chosen to amplify this year’s IDPWD theme of achieving these 17 Sustainable Development Goals “for, with and by persons with disabilities”, and ensuring that people with disability are part of this work and genuinely have an impact on how these goals are achieved. by asking members of our network to share their lived experience of navigating living and working with disability.

Read their stories:

• Patricia’s story
• Joanne’s story

And register here today to find out more about how CoAct and our service partners in your local area can provide dedicated support, resources, funding, training, and programs to help with reaching employment goals.