about IDPWD
International Day of Persons with Disabilities
About IDPWD
International Day of Persons with Disabilities
The International Day of Persons with Disabilities, also known as the International Day of People with Disabilities, is observed globally on December 3rd each year. This day aims to promote the rights, well-being, and inclusion of people with disabilities in society. It serves as a platform to raise awareness about the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities and to mobilize support for their dignity, rights, and well-being.
The International Day of Persons with Disabilities encourages governments, organizations, communities, and individuals to take action and promote the full participation of people with disabilities in all aspects of life, including social, economic, cultural, and political spheres. It seeks to eliminate barriers and prejudices, promote accessibility, and ensure equal opportunities for people with disabilities.
Various activities and events are organized on this day, such as conferences, workshops, art exhibitions, and awareness campaigns. These initiatives aim to foster a more inclusive and accessible society, challenge stereotypes and stigmas, and celebrate the achievements and contributions of people with disabilities.
Registration for the International Day of Persons with Disabilities Holiday Breakfast and nominations for the Claredon Robicheau Lifetime Community Award are now open!
About Award
Claredon Robicheau Lifetime Community Award
The Nova Scotia League for Equal Opportunities is seeking nominations for candidates for the Claredon Robicheau Lifetime Community Award to be presented annually on December 3rd, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. The Claredon Robicheau Lifetime Community Award has been created to reflect his passion for improving the quality of life for persons with disabilities.
Criteria to be considered:
- Be a person with a permanent disability as defined by the Nova Scotia Accessibility Act, 2017; “disability” includes a physical, mental, intellectual, learning or sensory impairment, including an episodic disability, that, in interaction with a barrier, hinders an individual’s full and effective participation in society; page 4, Interpretation – Clause 3 (1) (i);
- Be a permanent resident of Nova Scotia; and
- Demonstrated community involvement.
Call for nominations are now closed. Have somone in mind? Come back in 2024!
About Event
Registration Now Open for IDPWD Holiday Breakfast
During this accessible and inclusive event, we will kick off International Day of Persons with Disabilities Holiday Breakfast with a land acknowledgement and opening remarks to proclaim the day and theme “Human rights: the foundation for a Quality-of-Life for persons with disabilities.”
After breakfast, our guest speaker Amanda MacKenzie, National Director, Public Affairs for March of Dimes Canada will offer background and update on the Canada Disability Benefit and the impact this will have on the quality of life for persons with a disability.
Then NSLEO’s Executive Director Sherry Costa-Lorenz and Dr. Tammy Bernasky will present the work on Nova Scotia’s first Quality of Life Index for Persons with Disabilities with the opportunity for you to provide feedback and insight.
The event will end with the presentation of the Claredon Robicheau Lifetime Community Award which was created to reflect a commitment and passion to improving the quality of life for persons with disabilities.
We hope you join us and others as we recognize the 2023 International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
In-person registration is now closed. However, opportunity to attend virtually is open until December 1st at 8:00 AM. Check out our agenda below!
Agenda
9:00 AM: Opening the event with a land acknowledgement, provincial and municipal proclamation, and opening remarks from Minister of Justice Brad Johns
9:30 AM: Break – In-person attendees having breakfast
10:00 AM: The Canada Disability Benefit: Maintaining Momentum presented by Amanda MacKenzie, National Director, External Affairs for March of Dimes Canada
10:30 AM: Quality-of-Life Index for Persons with Disabilities Update and Consultation presented by NSLEO’s Executive Director Sherry Costa-Lorenz and research Dr. Tammy Bernasky
11:50 AM: Presentation of the Claredon Robicheau Lifetime Community Award
11:55 AM: Closing
Virtual Registration Forms
This event has a virtual option available for those unable to attend in-person. Registrations will be accepted until December 1st at 8:00 AM AST. Emails with information about the event and Zoom link will be sent to those who register will periodically be sent out on the week of Monday November 27th.
Deadline has passed for the form. If you are still interested, email programs@nsleo.com and we will do our best to provide the information.
Online Form
Click on the button below for the online form that will open in a new tab. A copy of your response will be sent as confirmation that we receive your registration.
PDF Form
Click on the button below for the PDF form that will open in a new tab. Please email your completed form to programs@nsleo.com in order to recieve access to the virtual option of the event
About Our Speakers
About Speaker
Amanda MacKenzie
Amanda MacKenzie joined March of Dimes Canada in August, 2020 with a varied background in advocacy, public affairs and government and stakeholder relations. At March of Dimes Canada, Amanda has led the development of a full-service Public Affairs and advocacy program, raising March of Dimes Canada’s profile as both and with federal, provincial/territorial and municipal governments and stakeholders, with a focus on advocating with and for Canadians with disabilities on income security and independence at home and community. Amanda’s professional experience is coupled by a deep personal connection to March of Dimes Canada’s mission, as she was legal guardian for her little brother, Graham, who lived with intellectual and physical disabilities.
Prior to joining March of Dimes Canada, Amanda built and led grassroots advocacy and multifaceted public affairs programs at the provincial and federal levels. Amanda is a Toronto native whose son, Grant, is a carpenter-apprentice living in Calgary. Amanda, her partner and two bonus young teens live in central Toronto with their boisterous dogs, Sprocket and Pippa.
About Speaker
Dr. Tammy Bernasky
Tammy Bernasky has life-long experience of disability and more than 20 years of experience working on disability inclusion efforts at the local, national, and international levels. Tammy completed her PhD in Critical Disability Studies at York University in 2020 where she focused on the community organizing to end gender-based violence in the disability community. Tammy is an Assistant Professor in Political Science in the Department of L’nu, Political, and Social Studies at Cape Breton University and has taught courses on disabling society, disability and culture, disability in the media, and health care policy. Using an intersectional lens, Tammy centers the stories of people with disabilities in her research. She is committed to advancing disability rights and working towards meaningful inclusion of diverse people with disabilities in all areas of life.
About Speaker
Sherry Costa-Lorenz
Sherry is the Executive Director for the Nova Scotia League for Equal Opportunities, a first voice led organization that for 45 years has worked collaboratively across sectors and levels of government to address systemic barriers and challenge discriminatory practices and policies using a rights-based approach through a disability lens.
Provincially, she serves on the Disability Rights Coalition, the Disability Partnership Steering committee, the provincial Employment Support Income Assistance committee, the Community Society to End Poverty – Nova Scotia, and the Community Housing Action Group. She is also the Chair for the Partnership for Access Awareness Nova Scotia, the planning committee of first voice organizations who have delivered Nova Scotia’s Access Awareness Week for more than 35 years. Sherry also brings community organizations together in planning and delivering Nova Scotia’s annual International Day of Persons with Disabilities Breakfast
Nationally, Sherry serves on the Canadian Accessibility Network’s Communities of Practice Policy Committee and the Research, Design and Innovation Committee and the Accessible Housing Network.
Sherry was honoured and humbled to receive the Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee Medal in 2022 recognizing her work in the community.
how to
Get Involved
We envision a future where the abilities of persons with disabilities are fully recognized, developed and living as equals in society.
The Canadian Disability Benefit initiative will bring the many strong voices of the disability movement together and create the space for dialogue and exchange that must be the necessary foundation for creating a successful and enduring Canadian Disability Benefit. Soon, a dedicated site to this initiative will be up and running via Include Me, which is a social movement that engages the disability community to work together to change Canadian society. We’ll be sure to let you know when Include Me is live so you can join the movement!