Today marks International Day of People with Disability, which aims to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilise support for the dignity, rights and well-being of people with disability. The theme for 2020 is ‘Building Back Better: toward a disability-inclusive, accessible and sustainable post COVID-19 world.’

Carers Australia CEO, Liz Callaghan, said, ‘December 3rd is a longstanding day of significance in the calendar and Carers Australia adds its voice to the calls for greater understanding, acceptance and inclusion of people with disability at all levels of society.’

‘Australia ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) in 2008. The plan to update the expiring National Disability Strategy 2010-20 will play an important role in protecting, promoting and fulfilling the human rights of people with a disability and their carers, and we look forward to its release.’

‘We know that 2020 has brought many challenges for many sections of the community and it’s great to see this campaign striving to turn this adversity into positivity by building and maintaining a more disability inclusive society.’

An updated National Disability Strategy should be focused on the removal of physical, technological and attitudinal barriers for people with a disability – which has been a focus of the International Day of People with Disability campaign since its inception in 1992. More information about the campaign can be found by visiting the official website, where there is information on the achievements and contributions of people with disability via online stories and videos, along with creative work from emerging content creators with disability, showcased in partnership with the ABC.