Pope calls for full participation of disabled persons in society
(Vatican Radio) International Day of People with Disability is a United Nations sanctioned
day that aims to promote an understanding of people with disability and encourage
support for their dignity, rights and well-being. The day also seeks to increase awareness of the benefits of the integration of people with disability in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life.
Speaking on Sunday after the recitation of the Angelus Prayer, Pope Benedict XVIth focussed his attention on this annual observance and urged legislators and leaders to protect disabled persons and to promote their full participation in society. He pointed out that "every single person, notwithstanding even serious physical and mental limitations, represents a priceless value, and as such must be considered".
The 2012 theme of the International Day of People with Disability is: “Removing barriers to create an inclusive and accessible society for all“.
This observance which was proclaimed in 1992 by the United Nations is celebrated each year on December 3rd.
Vatican Radio’s Linda Bordoni spoke to Tom Shakespeare, who trained as a sociologist and works as a technical officer at the WHO in Geneva about this special day, but more importantly about the reality of so many people across the world…
Listen to the interview…
Shakespeare points out that that a special day, is a reminder, but every day is the reality so many disabled persons have to contend with...
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