International Day of Persons with Disabilities (UN)

December 3, 2008: International Day of Persons with Disabilities (United Nations)

December 3 is the day designated by the United Nations in 1992 as the International Day of Persons with Disabilities

the first major international action on the rights of the disabled occurred in 1976, when Libya proposed, and the UN General Assembly agreed, to designate 1981 as the UN’s International Year of Disabled Persons (IYDP). The goal of IYDP was to encourage nations to examine the conditions of disabled citizens and establish initiatives to transform existing inequitable structures.

In a joint message from UNESCO, the ILO, UNICEF, the World Health Organization, and the UN, it is stated that, “Every child has the right to an appropriate, high-quality education. In the last few years, there has been a major thrust towards inclusive education, creating a school that accommodates all children, regardless of their physical, intellectual, social, emotional, or other conditions. The development of inclusive schools is a crucial step in helping to change discriminatory attitudes, creating welcoming communities, and developing an inclusive society.”

This is a day to not only celebrate the wonderful initiatives that have been launched in achieving an equitable schooling environment, but to also reaffirm our commitment to creating and sustaining equal opportunities for education and development among students with disabilities. Schools should be acknowledging this day through a variety of activities that promote learning and understanding among students and staff.

Print

Hale, Marian. The Truth About Sparrows. New York: Henry Holt & Company, 2004. ISBN 0805075844.

Khan, Rukhsana. King of the Skies. Markham, ON: Scholastic, 2001. ISBN 0439987253.

Videos

Extraordinary People: Born to Eat: Prader-Willi. Videocassette. BBC Learning, 2005. (50 minutes)

Extraordinary People: Facing It. Videocassette. BBC Learning, 2005. (50 minutes)

Extraordinary People: Stepping Out: Neurofibromatosis. Videocassette. BBC Learning, 2005. (50 minutes)

This series of videos contains stories of extraordinary people—people whose biggest obstacle in life is the body with which they were born. In a world bombarded with images of perfection, this film follows the personal journeys of individuals affected by Goldenhar syndrome, which results in facial deformity: NF1, which produces deforming growths that can distort the body and face; and Prader-Willi, which causes such an insatiable appetite that even pet food can seem tempting. It examines how these conditions affect their victims and their families, and considers what the future holds for them in a world that tends to judge by appearance.

 Videos

Angry Girls. Dir./Prod. Shelley Saywell. Prod. Bishari Film Productions, Inc. Videocassette. McNabb Connolly, 2004. (52 minutes) (#107335 – Available from Library Media Resources: media.tdsb.on.ca/av).

This is a story of teenage girls living in Toronto’s inner core, raised in shelters and housing projects. These girls feel so isolated and disconnected that joining a clique or gang becomes the only way to belong. For them, violence is empowerment. The film looks at the sources of their violence—racial tension, family problems—and at some programs that help them cope and overcome their destructive behaviour. Sensitive – previewing recommended.

It’s a Girl’s World. Dir. Lynn Glazier. Prod. Sylvia Sweeney, Gerry Flahive, and Silva Basmajian. Videocassette and DVD. National Film Board of Canada, 2004. (52 minutes) (#106701 – Available from Library Media Resources: media.tdsb.on.ca/av).

Takes us inside the tumultuous relationships of a clique of popular 10-year-old girls. Playground bullying captured on camera shows a disturbing picture of how these girls use their closest friendships to hurt each other—with shunning, whispering and mean looks—to win social power in the group. Meanwhile, their parents struggle through denial and disbelief as they become aware of the serious consequences of this behaviour. By comparison, the tragic story of a 14‑year-old girl is a stark reminder that social bullying can spiral out of control. Believing she had no other choice, Dawn-Marie Wesley killed herself after enduring months of rumours and verbal threats. This documentary shatters the myth that social bullying among girls is an acceptable part of growing up. Note: This documentary presents 6 modules: Modules 1–4 (Grades 4–12); Modules 5–6 (14 years and older). French-language translation available on DVD354 entitled Une affaire de filles. Sensitive – previewing recommended.

The Problem with Boys. CBC Newsworld Series. Prod. Canadian Broadcasting Corp. Videocassette. CBC Educational Sales, 2004. (41 minutes) (#107134 – Available from Library Media Resources: media.tdsb.on.ca/av.)

Examines the issues around the growing trend of underachievement in young men. Host Kathleen Petty is joined by a panel of specialists, educators, and parents to discuss the issues and concerns. Also examines the cultural influences on boys’ lives. David Gray conducts a frank and open conversation with a group of boys about their first-hand thoughts on school, life, and all the expectations they face. Sensitive – previewing recommended.

Her Brilliant Career. Dir. Ian McLaren. Prod. Patricia Gabel and Ian McLaren. Videocassette. Prod. Productions Grand Nord. Ciné Fête, 2005. (43 minutes) (#107244 – Available from Library Media Resources: <media.tdsb.on.ca/av>).

Whenever power and money come together, no matter what the profession, women still remain notably absent. Although women make up more than 46 percent of the labour force in Canada, less than half of all public corporations have any women on their boards. What is it about women that blocks their progress? Her Brilliant Career examines discrimination in the workplace and politics, and introduces the viewer to a controversial program for women executives. Jean Holland has developed a unique workshop in California that aims to help ambitious female executives get ahead. She calls it the Bully Broads program. Sensitive – previewing recommended.

Websites

"Educators.” The White Ribbon Campaign. http://www.whiteribbon.ca/educational_materials.

“National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women.” Answers.com. www.answers.com/topic/national-day-of-remembrance-and-action-on-violence-against-women.

“National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women.” Wikipedia. www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Day_of_Remembrance_and_Action_on_ Violence_Against_Women.