International Day of Persons with Disabilities

This girl and her mother are speaking with sign language. People have been using different kinds of sign language for hundreds of years! This is one way that people can communicate.

In December, some people celebrate the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. It started in 1992. The goal of this day is to promote the rights and the health of people who have disabilities. It’s also a day to increase awareness and understanding of people with disabilities.

Remember that people have different ways of moving in and experiencing the world. Maybe someone in your family uses a cane or someone in your class has a hearing aid. You might know someone who uses a wheelchair to get around. Do you wear glasses? They help you see better!

Have you ever seen people using sign language? Sign language is just another way of communicating. It’s not better or worse than speaking. People show their happiness in different ways, too. You might smile or laugh, and someone else might spin around in circles or rock back and forth. Those are all ways that people might show joy.

We can’t always see a person’s disability, but the disability is just as real. It’s OK to ask questions and do research. It’s important to keep learning more and to understand that all people deserve to be treated with respect and kindness.

What Do You Think? Why do you think the International Day of Persons with Disabilities is an important day? What more would you like to learn about disabilities?

Photo Credit: Andrey_Popov/Shutterstock