IIMSAM Official Observed International Day of Persons with Disabilities

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) December 2, 2010 --

Commemorating the International Day of Persons with Disabilities Dr. Naseer Homoud Goodwill Ambassador and Director of Middle East office for the Intergovernmental Institution for the use of Micro-algae Spirulina against Malnutrition (IIMSAM), the Permanent Observer to the United Nations Economic and Social Council while addressing the media said “this day reminds us of the many contributions people with disabilities make to the well-being of our society. We should strive for achieving goal of decent work for persons with disabilities, and reminds us that every person deserves opportunities for productive employment in conditions of freedom, equity, security and human dignity.IIMSAM marks this day by calling on the governments and stakeholders to address long-standing funding problems for the disability support sector”.

IIMSAM joins the rest of the world in promoting the positive message of inclusion of the disabled people. It is of a view that people with disabilities should be given equal treatment and stands proud to join the world in empowering them to gain access to food, education, employment, health and other services. As per United Nations this day is meant to promote an understanding of disability issues, 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 theme of this year celebration is “Keeping the promise: mainstreaming disability in the Millennium Development Goals towards 2015 and beyond”. Dr. Homoud said “this year theme is a powerful statement reflecting the principles of participation and equality for people with disabilities and mandates the inclusion of persons with disabilities in mainstream society so that MDGs are achieved in its real essence”.

Dr. Homoud said that dignity and justice for all persons are established universal principles. Since its inception, the United Nations has recognized that the inherent dignity and the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family are the foundations of freedom, justice and peace in the world. These principles, along with equality and non-discrimination, have guided the work of the United Nations for the past 60 years and are enshrined in various instruments such as the UN Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, as well as in treaties such as the International Covenants on Human Rights, and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. These instruments are among those which make up the international human rights framework, are complementary and reaffirm that all human rights are universal, indivisible, interrelated, interdependent and mutually reinforcing.

The Goodwill Ambassador said international Day of People with Disability is a United Nations sanctioned day that aims to promote an understanding of people with disability and encourage support for their dignity, rights and well-being. “It also seeks to increase awareness of the benefits of the integration of people with disability in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life” added Dr. Homoud. He urged people to work for betterment of person with disabilities as it is important that all individuals and organizations working in disability and development make the most of this opportunity to advocate for inclusive practices in development as well as celebrate achievements to date.

Dr. Homoud further said “the disabled people are special people with rights and society should structure in a way that it meets the needs of all its citizens. Our special brothers and sisters are men and women of great courage. They have taught us, who suffer from no mental or physical disability, that we will never be able to count the blessings of God for bestowing a life free of any disability to pursue a life of their choice”. He said that there is need to take urgent steps to attend to the special needs of special people and the governments should fully realize this and should take steps to achieve a comparable standard of service for disable persons. He further said “we should play a part in this process, by including people with disabilities, as we do for other members of our community, as part of our lives: at school; work; or in community and sporting activities; by working with disability advocacy organizations to achieve positive change; or by supporting the many areas in which all levels of government and private enterprises are facilitating change”.

disability     Dr. Naseer Homoud     IIMSAM