International Day of Disabled People in Latin America
The UN established the International Day of Disabled Persons in 1983. Each year, all over the world, people celebrate all that the disability community has accomplished in terms of equal human and civil rights for persons with disabilities on December 3rd. Most Latin American countries observe the International Day. See some examples below:
Nicaragua
This year, a celebration was held in Nicaragua to recognize disabled Nicaraguans for their work on making the electoral process accessible to persons with disabilities through Braille voting mechanisms and physically accessible voting places for those using wheelchairs. Fernando Caldera, president of the Federación Nicaragüense de Organizaciones por la Rehabilitación e Integración (Nicaraguan Federation of Organizations for Rehabilitation and Integration) was present at this event, and praised those who have collaborated with him and other organizations in breaking the barriers down so that persons with disabilities can be fully integrated into all aspects of civil society.
Uruguay
As part of the December 3rd celebration of the International day of Disabled Persons, the Asociación de Padres y Familiares de Personas Discapacitadas De la Costa del Río Uruguay (a Parents and Family Association), showed its commitment to the furthering of equal civil and human rights for citizens with disabilities by outlining their goals and beliefs regarding these issues. One of their major emphases was the issue of the rate of poverty among persons with disabilities; they also focused on issues of integration, equal access to education and health services, and the elimination of architectural physical barriers in the country.
Argentina
Argentina has declared December 3rd to be its National Day of Disabled Persons in addition to the International Day of Disabled Persons as recognized by the UN. The Tourism Foundation for All has recognized this day and plans to make strides in providing persons with disabilities with equal access to recreational and touristy activities. On this day, they also recognized the journalistic work of Arq. Santiago Varela, who wrote an article entitled "En Buenos Aires no se puede pasar por ningún lado" (In Buenos Aires one cannot move around) in 1984 in which he examines the lack of accessibility in the city. The significance of this article is that it is still true in some respects today, and the disability community of Argentina must continue to work toward its goal of total equal access and the elimination of physical barriers.
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