December 3 marks the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, a date that serves to remind us of the importance of promoting the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities in all areas of society and development, as well as the need to promote inclusion.
Fostering disability inclusive societies for advancing social progress
In 2025, the theme of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities is “Fostering disability inclusive societies for advancing social progress.” This stems from the commitment of world leaders gathered at the Second World Summit for Social Development to build a more just, inclusive, equitable, and sustainable world, and from their understanding that social development depends on the inclusion of all segments of society.
In all regions of the world, persons with disabilities and their families face challenges and barriers to achieving social development goals:
- They are more likely to live in poverty.
- They continue to face discrimination in the workplace: they receive lower wages and are mostly represented in the informal economy.
- Social protection systems have uneven coverage and are inadequate when considering the additional costs related to disability.
- In addition, many persons with disabilities experience a continued denial of their dignity, autonomy, and capacity for action in care and support systems.
The three central themes of social development are poverty eradication; the promotion of full and productive employment and decent work for all; and social integration. These three aspects are interrelated, mutually reinforcing, and require an enabling environment in order to be achieved simultaneously.
The inclusion of persons with disabilities as agents and beneficiaries of social development is essential. Therefore, the inclusion of disability in all aspects of social, economic, cultural, and political life is imperative.
Managing inclusive care and support systems
On the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, UNICEF issues an urgent call to ensure that all children’s rights are guaranteed.
In accordance with the Models for Local Management of Inclusive and Transformative Care and Support Systems, UNICEF considers it a priority to manage intersectional cases and data in order to identify needs, eliminate barriers, and monitor each child individually, with local observatories that are effectively coordinated. This will ensure individual support and reasonable accommodations—personal assistance, technical aids, and accessible environments—with quality standards in health, education, and protection, from early childhood through adolescence.
Similarly, supporting families and caregivers with respite services, mental health services, economic inclusion, and transfers that compensate for the extra costs of disability and reduce the increased risks of poverty and vulnerability, ensures the rights of children with disabilities, their families, and caregivers.
Recent experiences in Colombia show that it is possible to make rapid progress when there is leadership. The “Inclúyete+” Strategy, led by the Mayor’s Office of Barranquilla, is based on the use of data from disability and caregiver censuses and evidence to strengthen the supply of goods and services, as well as the provision of support so that people can access inclusive services. Among the reported results are greater identification and comprehensive care, educational reintegration with support, expanded access to assistive technologies, and services for caregivers. This initiative is a replicable example for other municipalities and even other countries.
