Many activities can be planned on disability issues. The following are only examples of the kinds of activities which can be organized to mark International Day of Disabled Persons:
- Organize forums on disability issues to initiate discussions on the needs, interests, and aspirations of disabled persons. This could be a conference or seminar with expert speakers.
- Take stock of the progress made throughout the year as well as obstacles encountered during the implementation of disability policies and programmes. Schools, universities, community groups, and public offices should all have policies and plans regarding accessibility.
- Organize and participate in local, national and international activities to advance the status of disabled persons globally. Raise awareness of disability issues by putting up a display at your local shopping centre, library, council chamber or school. Public events are important vehicles to draw attention to disability issues.
- Write a letter to the editor of a newspaper or magazine regarding access, transport or services (or lack of). Encourage media persons to cover stories and events on disability issues.
- Organize a writing/poetry competition at a local high school to discuss human rights issues, in particular focusing on the lives of people with a disability.
- Do some research to find out more about the lives of people with disabilities and how you can help make a difference. Your local library or council may have suitable information.
- In this International Year of Older Persons (1999), consider how disability issues affect older persons.
- Plan a lesson or activity in the classroom about disability issues, such as having students cope with a disability for a day. Teaching students about how disabilities impact individuals and how to cope with a disability is important in developing open minds and an understanding of disability.
