International/European Day of Persons with Disabilities 2011

The European Day of Persons with Disabilities

In 1992, the United Nations declared 3 December as the date for the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. To mark European Day of Persons with Disabilities, the European Commission holds an annual policy conference on the 1 and 2 December, in close cooperation with the European Disability Forum.

The conference is part of the EU’s wider efforts to promote the mainstreaming of disability issues in line with the EU Disability Strategy 2010-20202 and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD).

The year 2011 was characterised by important positive achievements such as the entry into force of the UN CRPD, which was concluded by the EU in December 2010. However, the economic and financial crisis has continued to make life more difficult for European citizens and in particular for people with disabilities who are often more vulnerable to be adversely affected by recovery measures adopted by the EU Member States.

This is why this year's Conference will explore the way out of the crisis from the perspective of persons with disabilities. Following up to the presentation of the Commission's proposals for the post-2013 Multiannual Financial Framework and the future of the EU's Cohesion Policy, it is now timely to discuss how the European Union can support recovery for all in the context of Europe 2020. This conference will explore how EU legislation, policies and budget can contribute both to enhancing the enjoinment of their rights by people with disabilities and to finding a way out of the crisis.

International Day of Persons with Disabilities, 3 December 2011

This year, at UN level, International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) will be commemorated to draw attention to key areas to mainstream disability in all development processes. The theme for 2011 is: “Together for a better world for all: Including persons with disabilities in development”. This year will also mark the 30th Anniversary of the UN International Year of Disabled Persons (1981). Commemorative events at UN Headquarters will be held on Friday, 2 December and include two panel discussions entitled, “Towards inclusive development: improving data and statistics on disability” and “Mainstreaming disability in the global development agenda: experience in other development issues”.