The International Day of Persons with Disabilities: What’s the Point?
By: Logan Stewart
The International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) happens each year on December 3rd. This year, IDPD’s theme is “Amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future.” If you’re not already(!) aware, people with disabilities make a huge difference to your community and beyond.
Now, you may be wondering, how? Here are some examples:
Outspoken advocates: Disabled people often have to advocate for themselves in many ways. For example, how to do their personal care and how they deserve to be treated. Having a disabled person in your life or your workplace could be beneficial because it could help you learn to speak up when things aren’t how you want them. People with disabilities are often the first people to speak up in a bad situation and try to make it right. Personally, if a friend is struggling, I’m the first person to speak up and try and get them to help they need because I know what it’s like to not feel supported.
Innovation Geniuses: Unsure if your space is friendly to everyone? Ask a wheelchair user! People who use wheelchairs know what buildings need to make a space accessible, like having washrooms that accommodate those with mobility challenges and families. These can be simple changes, like having the right ramp or door to an establishment. With 27% of the Canadian population having one or more disabilities, you don’t have to look hard to find an expert who can help you improve the experience for everyone.
And in the true spirit of today, let’s celebrate just a few of the MANY leaders in our community who are working tirelessly to build an inclusive and sustainable future:
Andrew Gurza
Andrew Gurza (he/they) is a Canadian award-winning Disability Awareness Consultant and the Chief Disability Officer and Co-founder of Bump’n, a sex toy company for and by disabled people. Andrew is a proudly disabled and LGBTQIA+ individual whose work has been featured in many forms including but not limited to the BBC and CBC. Andrew also shares stories and some of the struggles he experiences as an LGBTQIA+ person with his many social media followers.
Maayan Ziv
Maayan Ziv (she/her) is the founder and CEO of AccessNow, a website and smartphone app focused on finding accessible venues of all types for all. Similar to other map apps, users can create reviews, post photos and answer questions about the venue. The difference? Accessibility is at the forefront. It asks accessibility-related questions such as if it’s fully, partially, or not at all accessible. This promotes more independence and opportunities for disabled people to live their best lives, without having to worry. Maayan’s advocacy is fueled by her experiences living with Muscular Dystrophy.
Rick Hansen
Rick Hansen (he/him) founded The Rick Hansen Foundation after experiencing a spinal cord injury, and has been a decades-long advocate for people with disabilities. Rick is widely known for his across-the-world marathon (all of which he did using his wheelchair) to advocate for those living with disabilities and to try and find a cure for paralysis, raising tens of millions of dollars. Rick’s Foundation has many disability-centered programs and charitable efforts that are creating a world without barriers.
Stephanie Cadieux
Stephanie Cadieux (she/her) is Canada’s first-ever Chief Accessibility Officer (CAO). Stephanie began serving as CAO in 2022, after a long career in provincial politics in British Columbia. Stephanie is a wheelchair user with long-term experience living as a disabled person, AND she is an advocate for change having worked tirelessly as a volunteer for many disability-based organizations.
Varun Chandak
Varun Chandak (he/him) is the founder & President of Access to Success, Canadian not-for-profit that supports the development of future leaders with disabilities and assistive tech. Varun and Access to Success run ATS Labs, Canada’s first accelerator for accessibility startups (including Whimble!), and the Access to Success Fellowship, which provides scholarships to MBA students with disabilities. It was announced today that ATS will receive the prestigious Zero Project Award in Vienna in 2025!
Logan Stewart is an Ottawa-based public relations graduate and communications professional who is passionate about not-for-profit work, specifically in the LGBTQIA+ and disability space. With over 10 years of experience in social media, and as a not-for-profit ambassador involved in many charitable efforts, Logan brings a unique, creative, and caring approach to all of his work - always being a strong advocate for those who can’t.
Follow Logan’s journey and social media here.