International Day of Persons with Disabilities

Last year, on 3 December, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities was celebrated under the theme: “Strengthening the leadership of people with disabilities for a sustainable and inclusive future”. In 2025, the theme is “Supporting Inclusive Societies with Disabilities for Social Progress”. It is an interesting thematic transition; from a focus on the responsibility, agency and visibility of people with disabilities in the public and political space, to a broader perspective that encompasses the whole community. This year's slogan emphasizes that the OZn community (short for “persons with disabilities”) is not a group living in isolation from current social life, but an obvious, living part of it. In the same way as any other community - for example, metropolitan or national - co-creates society through daily, mutual cooperation. First of all, this year's theme refers to the commitment of world leaders, gathered at the Second World Summit for Social Development, who committed themselves to working towards a more just, inclusive, equal and sustainable world. They stressed that social progress depends on the inclusion of all groups, and in many areas it is not possible without their full participation. So why the reference to the World Summit for Social Development? International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPWD) is a holiday celebrated by the United Nations every year on December 3. Its aim is to promote social awareness, understanding and acceptance of people with disabilities. The reference to the Summit is therefore natural and clearly underlines that the UN's work on UN inclusiveness is an integral part of the broader vision of global social development.

Poland and the ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

Although this day, as well as the actions of the UN and the UN, sound glorious, the reality of the UN often deviates from perfection and requires not only slogans and ad hoc initiatives, but rather real, systemic support. Looking at the situation in Poland, we still need a lot of political changes to make society truly inclusive towards the UN. According to the Ombudsman's website, Poland, despite having acceded to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2012, has still not ratified it. What does this mean in practice? The fact that even though Poland is in the Convention, Polish citizens with disabilities cannot complain about Poland's non-compliance with the UN Convention. Thus, its ratification is simply making available to citizens the possibility of holding Poland accountable for fulfilling the objectives of the Convention. And its objectives are, among others:

to promote, protect and ensure the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by all persons with disabilities, — and to promote respect for their natural dignity.

What is the solution? Last year, the Ombudsman, Marcin Wiącek, asked the Ministry of Family and Social Policy to consider initiating the process of ratification of the Optional Protocol. Such a protocol gives the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities the opportunity to consider complaints lodged by individuals or groups of persons who believe that the State has violated their rights under the Convention. After considering such a complaint, the Committee may transmit its recommendations to the State. However, in Poland it is not possible to use this procedure because our country has not ratified the Protocol.

Reply of Agnieszka Dziemianowicz-Bąk, Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy (22.01.2025) to the Ombudsman's request:

In conclusion, in view of the circumstances mentioned at the beginning of the letter, I would like to confirm the readiness and willingness to take steps towards the signing and ratification of the said Protocol. At the same time, I assure you that the issue of the realization of the rights of persons with disabilities, including procedural guarantees of their realization, is the subject of constant attention of me and the Government Plenipotentiary for Persons with Disabilities.

Ratification of the Protocol would be a real step towards strengthening the rights of the UN, not just their symbolic recognition. And above all, I would allow the legal and legal syntax of complaints.

This year's UN initiatives

Some of the most valuable actions for the UN, beyond the obvious legal regulations and systemic actions, are those that involve the stakeholders themselves, and especially those that are based on social dialogue, in which rigid divisions between “we-them” disappear. Such an event was recently organized by the SWPS University in Warsaw under the slogan “Co-present” as a dialogue-lecture session. During the meeting, participants were able to learn more about the everyday life of people with disabilities, the challenges they face, infrastructure and social barriers, as well as ways to build an inclusive urban space.

Franciszek Matuszewski, 3rd year student of Public Life at SWPS University in Warsaw:

Last Thursday, the Disability Dialogue Session “Co-Present” was held. The event was organized by the participants of the 9th edition of the Warsaw Academy of Young Leaders in cooperation with the Scientific Circle for Research on Public Life and SWPS University. As one of the many people with disabilities at our university, I had the opportunity to attend this session. Its main part was a living library, during which the participants asked questions to the guests (OzN), among others about their daily life in Warsaw. The event broke some stereotypes and gave people with disabilities the opportunity to express their point of view. It is extremely important to be reminded of this, especially on this day. The goal I wanted to achieve during this session was to show the participants that OZn is no different from disabled people (despite their limitations). I hope and I am deeply convinced that after seeing such a perspective, there has been a mental change in the participants and thanks to this event they will approach people like us differently...

Thanks to Frank's comment, we can take a closer look at the meaningfulness of such an action, especially in the academic space, which is supposed to be a diverse and open place. This shows how important it is to include people with disabilities in the educational process and social debate. Each such meeting builds greater awareness, breaks down barriers and inspires to create a more inclusive environment for all.

summary

The International Day of Persons with Disabilities reminds us that an inclusive society requires both systemic solutions and a daily dialogue with people with disabilities. The ratification of the Optional Protocol and educational initiatives such as “Co-Present” show that real change is possible when the UN community is actively involved and listened to. Every step towards understanding, cooperation and visibility of people with disabilities contributes to a more just and open society.

Sources:

1. https://bip.brpo.gov.pl/pl/content/3-grudnia-miedzynarodowy-dzien-ozn-2024
2. https://www.un.org/en/observances/day-of-persons-with-disabilities
3. https://bip.brpo.gov.pl/pl/content/rpo-protokol-fakultatywny-konwencja-niepelnosprawni-mrpips-odpowiedz
4. https://swps.pl/my-uniwersytet/aktualnosci/wyklady-i-spotkania/37799-sesja-dialogu-wspolobecni