Palestinians celebrate International Day of Persons with Disabilities

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The International Day of Persons with Disabilities, celebrated on 3 December, was established by the UN General Assembly following the 1976 declaration that 1981 would be International Year for Disabled Persons. The day aims to promote a better understanding of disability issues with a focus on 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 goal of full and effective participation of persons with disabilities in society and development was established by the World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1982.

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These commitments provide an international policy framework, which has been further strengthened by the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, adopted in 2006. The Convention provides an impetus and unique platform for advancement of the international disability rights agenda in development from which to engage the wider global development community. Work within this community is framed by the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and other internationally agreed development goals. (http://www.un.org/disabilities/default.asp?id=1540)

Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip celebrated the IDPD in a number of ways, including a special programme by the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) to highlight its job creation scheme. Almost 40,000 Palestinians are classified as “disabled” according to the criteria agreed by the technical committee of the Palestinian census body. The numbers increased with people injured and disabled as a result of Israel’s Operation Cast Lead almost two years ago.

Over the past few years, international and local NGOs have made greater efforts to improve the provision of facilities for people with disabilities. In Khan Younis, in the south of the Gaza Strip, the Red Crescent continues to provide important services for those with special needs. Sections of the city hospital have been converted into areas dedicated to much-needed rehabilitation. The Rehabilitation Centre consists of kindergartens, libraries and areas for training and exercise for those still suffering from the physical and psychological effects of the Israeli occupation. It provides an array of educational, social and health services and has a recreation area for the young children of those who use the facilities. The Centre also caters for the needs of those with hearing difficulties, with special programmes for their educational and social needs.

The effectiveness of such services has been widely applauded by the local communities and continues to add quality to the lives of all Palestinians even as the illegal siege of the Gaza Strip continues relatively unabated.

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MEMO Photographer: Mohammed Asad