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.

About Award

Steve Estey Legacy Award

Nominations are now open for the Steve Estey Legacy Award, presented annually on December 3rd, the United Nations International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

This Award honours the legacy of Steve Estey, recognizing a Nova Scotia youth who demonstrates exceptional commitment in advancing the human rights, dignity, and inclusion of persons with disabilities, both locally and globally. It celebrates youth leadership grounded in a global worldview, principled advocacy, and respect for the lived experiences of persons with disabilities, reflecting the values embodied by Steve Estey throughout his life.

The Award celebrates youth who:

• Approach disability through a human rights and global perspective
• Center the voices and lived experiences of persons with disabilities
• Challenge ableism and systemic barriers
• Demonstrate leadership, initiative, and future promise
• Reflect the values of justice, solidarity, and inclusion embodied by Steve Estey

How to Nominate

• Nominations may be submitted by individuals, organizations, or community groups
• Self-nominations are not permitted
• Complete the nomination form by October 19th, 2026

Award Presentation

• The Award will be presented on December 3, in recognition of the United Nations International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

Eligibility Criteria

Nominees must meet all of the following requirements:

• Be a Nova Scotia youth (suggested age range: 15–30)
• Be eligible regardless of disability status; nominees may be persons with disabilities or allies
• Demonstrate a clear commitment to advancing the rights and inclusion of persons with disabilities
• Centre the voices, leadership, and lived experiences of persons with disabilities in their work
• Exhibit a global or international perspective on disability rights and inclusion
• Be engaged in formal, informal, community-based, grassroots, or institutional initiatives

Award Criteria

Nominees will be assessed based on the following criteria:

• Global Worldview and Human Rights Perspective
• Demonstrates understanding of disability as a global human rights issue
• Shows awareness of international frameworks, including the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD)
• Engages with disability issues across cultures, borders, or global systems
• Commitment to Disability Rights and Inclusion
• Actively works to advance accessibility, equity, and participation of persons with disabilities
• Challenges ableism, discrimination, and systemic barriers
• Promotes inclusive practices grounded in dignity and respect
• Youth Leadership and Initiative
• Demonstrates leadership, initiative, or innovation in disability-related work
• Takes meaningful action to create positive change
• Shows accountability, integrity, and perseverance
• Centering Lived Experience and Intersectionality
• Respects and amplifies the voices of persons with disabilities
• Applies a cross-disability and intersectional lens
• Engages collaboratively with persons with disabilities and/or organizations of persons with disabilities (OPDs)
• Impact and Future Potential
• Has achieved measurable or meaningful impact, or shows strong potential for long-term leadership
• Demonstrates learning, reflection, and growth
• Inspires others, particularly youth, to engage in disability rights and global citizenship
• Alignment with Steve Estey’s Legacy
• Reflects Steve Estey’s commitment to global solidarity, justice, and principled leadership
• Demonstrates humility, respect, and belief in the inherent dignity of persons with disabilities
• Articulates a vision for a more inclusive and accessible world

Click on the button below for the PDF form that will open in a new tab. Please email completed nomination to programs@nsleo.com to be considered.

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.

Click on the button below for the PDF form that will open in a new tab. Please email completed nomination to programs@nsleo.com to be considered.

About Claredon

Originally from Meteghan, Digby County, Claredon came from a family of six siblings of which four were wheelchair users. He attributed his parents’ Acadian decent for his strong work ethic. Before the onset of Muscular Dystrophy when he was 19, Claredon was a former hockey and baseball player, and licensed scuba diver. After he graduated from Saint Mary’s University with a Bachelor of Commerce in 1979 he worked for the TD Bank in New Brunswick for thirteen years and returned to Nova Scotia with his wife Delia in 1993. Once back in his home community of Clare in southwest Nova Scotia, he founded Transport de Clare, a door-to-door transit service for persons with disabilities and seniors. Under his guidance, the service grew exponentially into the model for Nova Scotia’s community-based transit service.

He also used his considerable talents in numerous important disability-related initiatives including the Easter Seals Wheelchair steering committee; the NS Disability & Poverty Reduction Strategy; the Disability Partnership Strategy; NS Aging in Place initiatives; and as a disability voice in the setup of Tourism Industry Association of Nova Scotia (TIANS). Claredon’s volunteerism included being a 20-year member of his local Lion’s Club; six years as a provincial representative on the Council of Canadians with Disabilities; four years on his local Community Health Board and more than ten years with the Nova Scotia League for Equal Opportunities.

Claredon’s contributions were publicly acknowledged in 2002, as the recipient of Her Majesty the Queen Golden Jubilee Medal, and in 2012, as the recipient of Her Majesty the Queen Silver Medal. In December 2017, Claredon received the Nova Scotia Human Rights Award for his work with the Bill 59 Alliance on Nova Scotia’s Accessibility Legislation. Sadly, Claredon unexpectedly passed away early in January 2018.

About Event

Ability To Rise: Celebrating Leaders in Disability Inclusion

Join us to celebrate the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. The event will focus on creating inclusive, accessible, and profitable workforces for persons with disabilities.

Save the date for December 3rd for Ability to Rise 2026 at Cedar Event Centre!

Look back at what happened at our Ability to Rise 2024 event.