Happy International Day Of People With Disability!

Today is International Day Of People with Disability (IDPwD). IDPwD is a day where we celebrate the achievements and contributions of people with disability and promote a more inclusive and accessible world for all. Today’s theme is Transformative solutions for inclusive development: the role of innovation in fuelling an accessible and equitable world.

I believe this year’s theme has a lot of meaning as innovation throughout the years has played such a vital role in creating a more accessible and equitable world for people with a disability. Innovation is the reason many of us are able to live independently, be employed, travel and actively participate in our communities. It is also the reason businesses like Bryce Pace - Autism Advocate are able to exist as believe it or not, lived experience of disability has not always been valued. We have come such a long way because of innovative solutions, however we still have a long way to go.

The unemployment and school leaver rate for people with disability is double that of people without disability. There is also still a long way to go to make events, services and businesses more accessible to those of us on the autism spectrum as hidden disabilities are so often forgotten about when it comes to disability access. We still need more sensory/quiet rooms provided at shopping centres, airports, train stations, work places and schools. We need sensory kits provided at every event and we also need more resources, services and supports to assist us to live meaningful lives.

Today I would like to ask you all to show your support for individuals with a disability in your local community by attending one of the many IDPwD events available. You could also show your support by frequenting a business run by a person with a disability, or by asking an individual with a disability, or a disability organisation to speak or run a workshop at your place of employment.

Let’s embrace today to not just celebrate the amazing things that people with a disability bring to the world but also make this a day where we assist in making our local communities more inclusive and accessible. Let’s celebrate human diversity, be innovative and make our world accessible to all.

Happy International Day of People with Disability.

Bryce Pace

Autism Advocate, Consultant, Speaker