Contributed by Alicia Neptune, Communications Specialist
While we encourage inclusion and community connection all year round, we’re always excited for days that bring people together to celebrate those values. This year on December 3rd, an international observance and a global movement happen to coincide.
International Day of Persons with Disabilities
As December nears, so does the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD). The day promotes greater understanding of disability issues, awareness of the rights of persons with disabilities, and inclusion. IDPD celebrates the positive impact of integrating people with disabilities in every aspect of political, social, economic, and cultural life.
This year’s theme is “Promoting the participation of persons with disabilities and their leadership: taking action on the 2030 Development Agenda.”
The 2030 Agenda includes 17 sustainable development goals built on the simple principle “leave no one behind” and recognizes disability as a cross-cutting issue. The goals include ensuring healthy lives, full and productive employment, and equitable quality education for all. Engaging persons with disabilities as active participants is essential for achieving disability-inclusive development. This year’s IDPD theme is focused on the empowerment and leadership of persons with disabilities to take action on those goals and work toward an inclusive future.
For more information about the 2030 Agenda and what it means for persons with disabilities, check out these resources from the International Disability and Development Consortium.
Celebrating IDPD
4th Annual IDPD Public Gathering hosted by Kickstart Disability Arts and Culture
Kickstart Disability Arts & Culture is hosting its fourth annual outdoor public gathering. Why brave the cold outdoors? To be seen! Kickstart aims to bring visibility to the disability community through this public gathering. It’s a casual event where persons with disabilities and allies can come together and celebrate!
Dress for the weather and keep warm with free coffee provided by Trees Organic Coffee and Roasting House.
Date: Tuesday, December 3, 2019
Time: 12 – 2 pm
Venue: Vancouver Art Gallery North Plaza (šxʷƛ̓ənəq Xwtl’e7énk Square), Georgia St., between Hornby St. and Howe St.
Giving Tuesday
With the holiday season nearly upon us, we’re entering a time of celebration, community, and giving. After Black Friday and Cyber Monday comes Giving Tuesday—a day dedicated to giving back to the community. It marks the start of the giving season and celebrates philanthropy and volunteerism.
The movement, which originated in the US and spread to Canada, brings together nonprofits, civic organizations, businesses, and individuals to support causes that are meaningful to them.
Get involved in this global day of giving! There are many ways to participate in the movement. Whatever you have to give, whether it’s money, time, or talent, you can make a meaningful contribution to a cause you care about. Examples of ways to give might include:
- organizing a donation drive
- volunteering with a nonprofit in your neighbourhood
- donating blood
- sharing your giving story by posting your #UNselfie on social media
Search for charities and find more ways to give at givingtuesday.ca.
Give back with Kudoz
Our vision—inclusive communities, enriched lives—is made possible with the support of community members. This Giving Tuesday, consider donating to an initiative that brings novel experiences to individuals with cognitive disabilities.
Kudoz is an experience platform which brings together people with and without disabilities for shared learning experiences.
Community members with a skill or interest to share volunteer as Hosts and offer experiences. It could be anything from writing a song, to kickboxing, to building a birdhouse together. Individuals with cognitive disabilities, called Kudoers, choose an experience that interests them and meet up with Hosts to try something new.
We’ll be directing donations made on Giving Tuesday to Kudoz, to support the platform’s vision for a world where opportunities abound and everyone can learn and grow. Just scroll down to the bottom of our homepage to donate.
