As the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) approaches on December 3rd, Centennial College reaffirms its commitment to accessibility and inclusion for all. Observed annually on December 3rd, IDPD was established by the United Nations (UN) thirty-two years ago in 1992. This significant day celebrates the valuable contributions and achievements of persons with disabilities in various fields and aims to promote the rights and well-being of the one billion persons with disabilities worldwide. The UN has declared the theme for 2024 to be “Amplifying the Leadership of Persons with Disabilities for an Inclusive and Sustainable Future,” focused on the call for people with disabilities to take agency, leadership, and control over actively shaping the conditions in their lives.
IDPD provides an opportunity to increase awareness of the diverse challenges faced by people with disabilities and to mobilize support for their dignity, rights, and inclusion in various aspects of life. The day falls within the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (November 25 – December 10), which invites us to highlight the disproportionate impact of gender-based violence on women, girls and gender-diverse people with disabilities. Women with a disability are three times more likely to experience violent victimization than women living without a disability (Statistics Canada, 2021). Women with disabilities experience increased difficulty leaving an abuser due to mobility or communication issues, greater difficulty accessing shelter services and/or transportation and higher rates of abuse by institutional caregivers and/or other residents (DisAbled Women’s Network Canada, 2014).
Centennial College's Dedication to Accessibility and Inclusion:
Centennial believes in fostering environments where everyone has the opportunity to thrive, and IDPD encourages communities, organizations, and individuals to work collectively towards creating a more accessible and inclusive world for everyone, regardless of their abilities. The College’s commitment to accessibility and inclusion is unwavering, and the institution continually strives to create an atmosphere that embraces diversity. To learn more about Centennial’s commitment to accessibility and to explore the associated available resources, please visit the Accessibility Webpage. Together, the Centennial College Community can continue building a campus culture that embraces diversity and ensures equitable opportunities for all.