03/12/2024
When I sat down at my desk this morning, I sighed and thought, "How do I possibly fit everything I want to say about today into just one post?"
Today, as you may already know, is International Day of Persons with Disabilities—a day for reflection, celebration, and amplifying voices within the disability community. You’ll see brands and individuals sharing posts about what this day means to them, and I think that’s wonderful. But as I started to write, I quickly realized that what I wanted to say couldn’t be contained in a single post—or even a single article. So instead, I let my thoughts flow, capturing just the beginnings of a conversation I hope to expand on in the future.
This year’s theme—“Amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future”—reminds us of the incredible power of leadership within our community. In my post, I touch on the progress we’ve made, the challenges that remain, and the importance of recognizing the leaders driving change.
I also celebrate some truly inspiring individuals, like Cristina Căluianu, Josh Grisdale, Anette Parviste, and Sharol Avento Signorelli, alongside the incredible Sinead Burke and the late, great, powerful Judy Heumann. Judy, in particular, deserves the gratitude of not just the disabled community in the USA but around the world for her lifelong fight for disability rights.
This day is about so much more than recognition—it’s about fostering (and continuing) meaningful conversations about accessibility, inclusion, and leadership. Let’s celebrate today, yes—but let’s carry that energy forward through all 364 days to come.
Wishing you all a reflective, empowering, and joyful International Day of Persons with Disabilities. 💙
- Anthony
Celebrating Leaders and Trailblazers on International Day of Persons with Disabilities “International Day of….” Three simple words that precede a vast array of topics and demographics, each enjoying its moment of recognition and celebration. Some of these days verge on the silly or trivial, li...