From the United Nations:The annual observance of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on 3 December, aims to promote an understanding of disability issues, the rights of persons with disabilities and gains to be derived from the integration of persons with disabilities in every aspect of the political, social, economic and cultural life of their communities.
The Day provides an opportunity to mobilize action to achieve the goal of full and equal enjoyment of human rights and participation in society by persons with disabilities, established by the World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1982.
International Day of Persons with Disabilities December 3 will be celebrated with a special event organized by the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) in
collaboration with the World Bank at United Nations Headquarters, Conference Room 4.
The schedule on Dec. 3, 2009:
10.00 a.m. Opening of the Day by UN Secretary-General United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will open the Day and announce the appointment of the new UN Messenger of Peace, Mr. Stevie Wonder (pictured), an internationally celebrated musician. Under Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), Mr. Sha Zukang will host the event and be joined by U.S. Ambassador H.E. Ms. Susan E. Rice, Under Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information (DPI), Mr. Kiyotaka Akasaka and United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCHR), Ms. Navanethem Pillay. The World Bank will be connected via live videoconferencing.
11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Panel Discussion
A panel discussion will take place under the theme of the Day "Making the MDGs disability-inclusive: Empowerment of persons with disabilities and their communities around the world". The panel will be chaired by Ms. Venus Ilagan, Secretary-General of Rehabilitation International (RI), a member organization of the International Disability Alliance (IDA). Panelists are Ms. Joyce C. Kafanabo, Minister Plenipotentiary, Permanent Mission of Tanzania to the United Nations, Ms. Marie Yvette Banzon-Abalos, Second Secretary Permanent Mission of the Philippines, Mr. Werner Obermeyer, New York Office, World Health Organization (WHO), Ms. Aleksandra Posarac, Disability and Development Team Leader, World Bank, Ms. Maarit Kohonen, Coordinator, Human Rights and Economic and Social Issues Unit, Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and Mr. James Forbes, Member, Board of Directors, American Association of Retired Persons (AARP).
2 p.m. to 6 p.m. DESA Disability Film Festival
Commissioner Matthew Sapolin of the New York City Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities will open the afternoon session followed by a presentation by Mr. Mark Leeds, New York State Bar Association.
2.30 p.m. "I am one of you" (11 minutes):
A UNTV film on changing perceptions of persons with disabilities in Hong Kong, SAR China.
2.45 p.m. "Beyond the Light" (60 minutes)
A film by Ivy Goulart that takes us into the universe of the visually impaired through six blind people in Brazil and pays homage to 200 years of Louis Braille.
4.00 p.m. "DEAF: Hear Me" (38 minutes)
A documentary by Wild Mango Films explores what it is like growing up deaf in India.
4.45 p.m. "Rudely Interrupted" (55 minutes)
A documentary about an internationally acclaimed Australian rock band made up of persons with disabilities, their international tour and performance at the UN.
Reception follows, hosted by the Permanent Mission of Australia to the United Nations.