UN International Year of Disabled Persons

1981. In 1976, the UN General Assembly proclaimed 1981, the Year of Disabled Persons. It called for action regionally, nationally, and internationally to provide equal opportunities for people with disabilities, and to integrate people with disabilities more fully into society.

The year was also created to increase public awareness and acceptance of disability, and to encourage organizations to be created by people with disabilities, so that their actions and views can be advocated.

The International Year of Disabled Persons grew at the end of the twentieth century, when push towards community-based care and integration of people with disabilities was becoming more popular. After the year ended, the International Decade of Disabled Persons was launched in 1982, culminating in the creation of the International Day of People with Disability on December 3, 1992.

-Erna Kurbegovic and Colette Leung

UN International Year of Disabled Persons

1981. In 1976, the UN General Assembly proclaimed 1981, the Year of Disabled Persons. It called for action regionally, nationally, and internationally to provide equal opportunities for people with disabilities, and to integrate people with disabilities more fully into society.

The year was also created to increase public awareness and acceptance of disability, and to encourage organizations to be created by people with disabilities, so that their actions and views can be advocated.

The International Year of Disabled Persons grew at the end of the twentieth century, when push towards community-based care and integration of people with disabilities was becoming more popular. After the year ended, the International Decade of Disabled Persons was launched in 1982, culminating in the creation of the International Day of People with Disability on December 3, 1992.

-Erna Kurbegovic and Colette Leung