The World Bank marks the International Day of Persons with Disabilities

Overview

As climate change, COVID-19, and conflict continue to escalate globally, building inclusive, cohesive, and resilient communities will be the foundation of making and protecting sustainable development gains. However, the reality is that too often  persons with disabilities are  left out of conversations around these critical issues, even though they are among some of the most affected groups.Without a disabilityinclusive  approach to recovery and building resilience, persons with disabilities are at increased risk of being further left behind and falling further into poverty due to overlapping crises.

The International Day of Persons with Disabilities is a day for championing the rights of persons with disabilities and to increase awareness of the challenges individuals face globally. This international day is observed each year on December 3. It has  two primary goals: first, to promote the full and equal participation of persons with disabilities; and second, to ensure the inclusion of persons with disabilities in all aspects of society and development. 

Learn more about disability inclusion at the World Bank here.

Schedule of Events

Wednesday, December 1

Behind the Mission: Disabilities and Inclusion at the World Bank Group

11:00AM – 11:30AM EST

During this episode of our popular Behind the Mission series, we talk with WBG Global Disability Advisor, Charlotte McClain-Nhlapo, and Sector Leader for Sustainable Development in Maghreb countries, Carole Megevand. They will share their stories and insights and answer questions on disability and inclusion at the World Bank. .

Watch the recording on the World Bank Live page.

Please note: This event will have ASL interpretation.

Thursday, December 2

Breaking Barriers: Disability Inclusion in Latin America and the Caribbean

11:00AM - 12PM EST

About 85 million persons with disabilities live in Latin America and the Caribbean. Their exclusion is unfair and unsustainable: 15% of children with disabilities do not go to school and 1 in 2 persons with disabilities do not participate in the labor market. Join us for the launch of the new World Bank report: "Disability-Inclusion in Latin America and the Caribbean: A Path to Sustainable Development". Learn about the data, the achievements of the last decade, the stories behind the data, and the remaining challenges to ensure that no one is left behind.

Friday, December 3

International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2021

8:30AM - 9:30AM EST

Under the theme of "Leadership and Participation of Persons with Disabilities," this year's flagship event will feature disability champions and experts from around the world from government, the private sector and civil society, in addition to an exciting performance by a deaf rapper and performer Wawa. This event will commemorate the international day with a discussion on how we can move toward a more inclusive, accessible, and sustainable future in a post-COVID-19 world.

To RSVP, check out the World Bank Live page.

Please note: This event will have captioning in English and interpretation in International Sign (IS).

Tuesday, December 7

Cities Accessible for All - a conversation with practitioners on universal access

08:00 – 9:15AM EST

In celebration of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the Urban, Disaster Risk Management, Resilience,and Land Global Practice at the World Bank will host a webinar, bringing practitioners from different parts of the world, to learn from their experiences promoting universal access and discuss how to make cities more functional and accessible to all.

RSVP here and join the session here. (Meeting ID: 996 9484 6782; Passcode: T7HvQwS.b0)