- International Day of Persons with Disabilities was observed on December 3, 2018.
- The annual observance of the Day was proclaimed in 1992, by a United Nations General Assembly resolution.
- Theme: the theme for this year is ‘Empowering persons with disabilities and ensuring inclusiveness and equality’.
- Objective: International Day of Persons with Disabilities aims to promote the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities in all spheres of society and development and to increase awareness of the situation of persons with disabilities in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life.
- On this occasion, the United Nations will launch the first-ever flagship report on disability and development “UN Flagship Report on Disability and Development 2018 – Realizing the SDGs by, for and with persons with disabilities”.
- The Report provides an evidence base for disability-inclusive policy-making, implementation and monitoring and evaluation of an inclusive, accessible and sustainable global development agenda.
- On the occasion of International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Vice President M Venkiah Naidu conferred the National Awards today on Individuals, Institutions, Organizations, States and Districts for their outstanding achievements and work done towards empowerment of Persons with Disabilities. A total of 56 individuals and 16 institutions were awarded on the occasion.
- Till 2017, the Award Scheme was governed under the National Awards Rules, 2013 which provided 7 categories of disabilities as per the Persons with Disabilities Act, 1995. However, with the coming into force of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 w.e.f. 19th April 2017, the number of specified disabilities increased from 7 to 21 under the new Law. Accordingly, all the 21 disabilities have been included under the National Award Guidelines which have been notified in the Extra-ordinary Gazette of India dated 2nd August, 2018.
