International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD-December 3) was observed marred by COVID-19 pandemic crisis. The UN chief, António Guterres, while stating that with the COVID-19 gripping the communities, persons with disabilities are among the worst affected with higher rates of violence neglect and abuse, in his message on the occasion of observance in his message said that we required promoting inclusion for persons with disabilities means recognizing and protecting their rights all the more and prepare ourselves for inclusive, accessible and sustainable post COVID-19 world.
"On this International Day of Persons with Disabilities, let us all commit to work together to tackle the obstacles, injustices and discrimination that persons with disabilities experience," he stated in his message.
Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO, in her message said, "I call on the entire international community to mobilize so that persons with disabilities may actively contribute to the response to the crisis and to the generation of new possibilities. The pandemic has also created a unique opportunity to highlight these fundamental issues and to make decisive progress. Together, let us seize this opportunity and take more concrete steps towards building a more inclusive society which respects difference and human dignity."
The message also stressed the following actions
revamping teacher education and capacity building of teacher educators in inclusive education
developing digital resources and skills aimed at fostering inclusion
creating accessible tools adapted to different learning needs
mobilizing science and technology to meet the specific needs of people, whatever their disability
It has been found that about 10 percent people in the world are disabled making them the world's largest minority which requires 'disability justice' and 'inclusion' in education and society with equity. In schools, individualized education plans are required to be mandatory for affecting inclusion, I feel.
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