Kezia Angel Samar 
“Being disabled should not mean being disqualified from having access to every aspect of life.”
Emma Thompson
The annual observance of the International Day of Disabled Persons was proclaimed in 1992, by the United Nations General Assembly resolution 47/3. The theme this year is “Transformative solutions for inclusive development: the role of innovation in fueling an accessible and equitable world “The cornerstone of this cooperation must be the active participation of persons with disabilities in their full diversity, and their full inclusion in all decision-making processes.
When so many people who have disabilities can feel invisible, being listened to can make a huge difference. It’s important to keep a good line of communication, and to remember that they likely have varying wants and needs at different times. People with disabilities are human. Acknowledge their differences as you would acknowledge anyone else’s uniqueness and treat them “as normal.” Do not talk down to them literally or figuratively. If they use a wheelchair, use a chair to be on their same eye level if you are having a long conversation.
People who have psychiatric disabilities may have varying personalities and different ways of coping with their disability. Some may have trouble picking up on social cues; others may be supersensitive. One person may be very high energy, while someone else may appear sluggish. Treat each person as an individual. Ask what will make them most comfortable and respect their needs to the maximum extent possible.
There are visible disabilities as well as non-visible disabilities, meaning not all disabilities are apparent. A person may make a request or act in a way that seems strange to you. That request or behavior may be disability-related.
Please note it is considered offensive to pretend to have a disability, and disability simulation experiences should be done for design/navigational purposes only.
Words by Kezia Angel Abina Samar
Pubmat by Rhezandy Mae Pamplina
