IDPD to be celebrated with various events

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Dec. 3: The 33rd International Day of Persons with Disabilities is being celebrated in Nepal by organising various programmes on Tuesday. 

International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) is observed on December 3 each year worldwide to promote the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities in all spheres of society and development. 

This global day, initiated by the United Nations in 1992, aims to generate awareness about the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities, highlight the importance of inclusive policies and celebrate the contributions of disabled individuals to society.

The day is being celebrated with the international theme of Amplifying the Leadership of Persons with Disabilities for an Inclusive and Sustainable Future.  

In Nepal, as in many other countries, the day holds significance in raising awareness about disability rights and encouraging the inclusion of people with disabilities in all aspects of life.

Organising a press meet on Monday, the National Federation of the Disabled Nepal (NFDN) and National Disabled Fund (NDF) informed that various events, programmes and activities will be organised by government institutions, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and Disabled People's Organisations (DPOs) to mark the week-long programmes. 

Speaking at the press meet, Devi Datta Acharya, President of NFDN, said that fully disabled people living in remote areas are in poor conditions and are still deprived of the services provided by the government. 

President Acharya informed that a study conducted by the NFDN revealed that only one in eight people received support materials. 

Although the National Standard on Assistive Technology Services 2078 has been issued for the distribution of assistive materials according to the criteria for persons with disabilities, it has not been used in government mechanisms.

Due to the lack of disabled-friendly physical infrastructure and communication services, the daily life of many people with disabilities is tough and they have not been able to use the services and opportunities as others, he said. 

He further said that the government has not been able to provide education and health-related services to people with complete disabilities, people with intellectual disability, autistic persons and people having hemophilia, Down syndrome, hearing impairment and psychosocial disabilities.

Many children with disabilities are still out of school, while children studying in schools are still not able to participate in educational activities equally as others.

The reports published by the Department of Education and a 2016 Standard of Living Survey of Persons with Disabilities also show that children with disabilities drop out of school due to social discrimination, physical barriers and lack of need-based education. 

The week-long programme of IDPD began on Monday organising a press meet and lamp lighting programme at Sundhara.