Every year on 5 May, Europe celebrates the European Day for Equal Opportunities and Non-Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities. The day aims to draw attention to the challenges faced by over 100 million Europeans with disabilities every day and to highlight the importance of action to ensure equality, accessibility and respect for human rights.
Today we remind you that disability discrimination is a violation of fundamental human rights. It manifests itself in inaccessible buildings, lack of sign language interpretation, inability to obtain quality education or employment, limited access to health and social services, as well as stereotypes and exclusion.
Ukraine, as a state that has ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, has committed to implementing the principles of full participation, equality and non-discrimination. However, in practice, these commitments have not yet been fully implemented. Especially in times of war, people with disabilities face increased barriers - both physical and informational, institutional and psychological.
The National Assembly of People with Disabilities of Ukraine (NAPD) has been systematically working to change this situation for many years. We advocate for inclusive policies, the implementation of universal design, ensuring access to rehabilitation and social services, the development of inclusive education, as well as the real participation of people with disabilities in decision-making.
This day is also a call to action: to government, communities, businesses, media, educators, each and every one of us. Because equal rights are not a privilege, but the norm. And only through joint efforts will we be able to overcome discrimination and make society open and fair for all.
#May5 #EqualRightsForAll #StopDiscrimination #NAPD
