International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2024

December 3, 2024

Each year on December 3, people in Saskatchewan around the world observe the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

First proclaimed in 1992 by the United Nations, it is a day to promote widespread understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, well-being, and rights of persons with disabilities everywhere.

According to the 2022 Canadian Survey on Disability, 247,800 people living in Saskatchewan (29.8% of the population aged 15 and over) reported having a disability.[1] Many of these people face barriers in the workplace, in schools, and in society.

With approximately 61% of the complaints we accepted last year relating to disability, the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission remains steadfast in its commitment to protect and promote the dignity and rights of all persons with disabilities in the province.

We do this by:

• Accepting discrimination complaints based on disability,
• Promoting equitable practices through our equity programs and our online Lunch and Learn series,
• Providing public and private education sessions; and
• Conducting research and community consultations through our systemic initiatives (Equitable Education for Students with Reading Disabilities, D/deaf and Hard of Hearing, Accessible Transportation)

 

For more information about disabilities within a human rights context, go to: https://saskhrc.ca/education-resources/information-sheets/accessibility-rights-of-persons-with-disabilities/

[1] The Daily — Canadian Survey on Disability, 2022 (statcan.gc.ca)