International Day of Persons with Disabilities

December 3 marks the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, commemorated by the United Nations (UN) since 1992. The observance of the day aims to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities. On this day we reaffirm our commitment to continue fighting for disability inclusion at work and in society at large.  

The 2022 observance of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities is around the theme of innovation and transformative solutions for inclusive development in employment and reducing inequality. Read more about this theme at the UN’s IDPWD.org site.

6.2 million Canadians aged 15 years and older identify as having a least one disability. Recent years have  only exacerbated existing inequities, including employment gaps across for the country for persons with disabilities. Workers with compensable work-related injuries have seen a reduction in benefits while insurance companies continue to prioritize employer rebates ahead of worker health and well-being.

UFCW Canada works with national disability organizations like Inclusion Canada and Disability Without Poverty to support their disability justice work, to lobby all levels of governments and to push for a strengthened disability inclusion lens in worker supports.

Right now, the Canada Disability Benefit Act (Bill C-22) is being debated in parliament. This bill has potential to bring economic equality for persons with disabilities across Canada. Write to your MP and Senator to urge them to pass Bill C-22 by the end of the year and to commit to creating the Canada Disability Benefit in 2023.

On the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, UFCW Canada reaffirms our commitment to eliminating workplace barriers, strengthening collective bargaining protections for workers with disabilities and advocating for a strengthened disability inclusive lens which leaves no one behind.

Learn more about this day at idpwd.org or by following along the hashtags of #InclusionIsForEverybody and #IDPWD on social media.