Australia's peak national cross disability advocacy organisation is celebrating the achievements and contributions of people with disability across Australia and throughout the world on this year's International Day Of People with Disability (IDPwD) on 3 December.
People With Disability Australia (PWDA) President Samantha Connor: "This IDPwD is an opportunity for all Australians to contribute towards making positive changes to the lives of the 4.4 million Australians with disability. As a national Disabled People's Organisation (DPO), PWDA echos this year's United Nations theme reminding us it is through the leadership and participation of all people with disability that we'll be able to build an inclusive, accessible, and sustainable society that welcomes all people with disability.
"IDPwD provides a platform for us and our allies to recognise and dismantle the systemic social, physical, technological and attitudinal barriers which continue to impact people with disability socially, economically, politically and culturally, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. People with disability must be visible and present at every level of society participating fully, equally, and effectively in society alongside others with equity and dignity.
"After what has been a difficult year for people with disability, our community has showed our resilience – we have fought through a global pandemic, harsh austerity measures and adverse policy changes and we've come out the other side.
"This year also marks 40 years of PWDA advocating for people with disability. So, we'd like to take the opportunity to thank our members and supporters for their incredible work over the last four decades which has delivered significant improvement for the lives of people with disability right across Australia."
"To mark this IDPwD, PWDA is launching a new edition of our popular Disability Language Guide today. This is just one way that PWDA works to influence the social narrative around respectful and inclusive language about people with disability and to improve the lives of people with disability.
