International Day of Persons with Disabilities-2014 Observed at SEVAI

Cultural events by children with disabilities in SEVAI Centre

The annual observance of the International Day of Disabled Persons was proclaimed in 1992, by the United Nations General Assembly. The observance of the Day aims to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities. It also seeks to increase awareness of gains to be derived from the integration of persons with disabilities in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life. SEVAI, a Trichy based NGO observed 2014 theme of sustainable development –the promise of Technology in  Disaster Risk Reduction and Emergency Responses, Creating Enabling Working Environments, Disability-Inclusive Sustainable Development Goals.K.Govindaraju,Founder and Director of SEVAI spoke to the special educators of disabled children,” Persons with disabilities, "the world's largest minority", often face barriers to participation in all aspects of society. Barriers can take a variety of forms, including those relating to the physical environment or to information and communications technology or from societal attitudes or discrimination. The result is that persons with disabilities do not have equal access to society or services, including education, employment, health care, transportation, political participation. The day aims to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities. It also seeks to increase awareness of gains to be derived from the inclusion of persons with

integrated SEVAI School

disabilities in every aspect of life. Disability Day is not concerned exclusively with either mental or physical disabilities, but rather encompasses all known disabilities, from Autism to Down Syndrome to Multiple Sclerosis. The overall aim is to show non-disabled people that a person with a disability can be a vibrant member of society, as it happens that the entirely healthy are not always quite aware of this fact, which can lead to different kinds of discrimination of varying degrees of severity. The disabled, on the other hand, benefit from such performances by proving to themselves that there are many things they can still do, despite their conditions, which can help with their self-esteem and avoid mental issues such as depression from plaguing them. In general, these kinds of events are meant to challenge and they get rid of various stereotypes so that disabled people can enjoy lives free of discrimination and additional hardship”. The children with disability exhibited their skills through performing disabled friendly cultural events on this occasion.-Govin