On the 3rd of December, we commemorate the International Day of People with Disabilities. On this day, the University of Limassol joins partners around the world to call for action to achieve a fairer, more inclusive and equitable society for, with, and by people with disabilities.
Over 1.3 billion people, or 16% of the global population, experiencing significant disability, which is manifested in poorer health outcomes and lesser quality of life. People with Disability are called to overcome barriers imposed by discrimination, inequitable policies, and limited access to quality care. Addressing these injustices is essential to achieving greater levels of inclusion in society, as well as health and well-being for all.
As a society, we often focus on the medical conditions of the people with disabilities, emphasizing impairments, difficulties, and what is labelled as ‘abnormal. From this point of view, disability is seen a problem, with attention placed solely on what a person cannot do or cannot be. However, more contemporary approaches, such as the biopsychosocial model, challenge this view and suggest that disability should be understood as the result of interactions between individuals with impairments and an environment that imposes physical, attitudinal, communicative, and social barriers. For example, consider workplaces that are inaccessible to individuals who use wheelchairs. This is clearly problematic—so who is at fault in such cases?
Based on the principle “leaving no one behind”, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development holds a deep promise for people with disabilities around the world. The 2019 UN Disability Inclusion Strategy has sparked transformative progress, proving that systemic planning needs to take place to bring meaningful change.
Everyone has a vital role to play in achieving this, with some non-exhaustive suggestions outlined below.
– People with disabilities can advocate for inclusive practices in the training of healthcare professionals and workplace policies.
– Organizations representing people with disabilities can actively engage in health sector decision-making and processes, including those that impact workplace inclusion.
– Governments can collaborate with organizations of people with disabilities to shape health policies, workplace regulations and programs.
– Healthcare providers can involve people with disabilities in evaluating the quality of services, including those related to employment and workplace accommodations.
– Health researchers can partner with people with disabilities in designing and conducting research projects that address health outcomes in the workplace and beyond.
The University of Limassol contributes to the promotion of inclusion and equality for people with disabilities. This contribution is reflected at all levels of the university, from the faculty members who conduct research on the topic and incorporate inclusive educational practices, to the administrative efforts focused on creating accessible infrastructure, and the student initiatives that raise awareness and drive systemic change.
On this day, society is called upon to recognize that people with disabilities are not merely recipients of charity, medical care, or social support but are individuals with fundamental human rights who can advocate for themselves, make informed decisions about their lives, and actively contribute to society.
Dr. Maria Charalampous
Director of MSc in Human Resources and Organizational Behaviour at University of Limassol
English (UK) 
Ελληνικά