Per the notice below, the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) is highlighting International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

New York State Department of Health Recognizes International Day of Persons With Disabilities

State Health Department Promotes Rights, Health and Well-Being of Persons with Disabilities

The New York State Department of Health recognizes International Day of Persons with Disabilities, observed December 3, and promotes full and meaningful inclusion of people with disabilities in every aspect of daily living.

"International Day of Persons with Disabilities is an important day that we recognize by highlighting the significance of advocacy, independence, respect and collaboration with people with disabilities," State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said.  "The State Health Department remains committed to achieving health equity and overcoming health disparities by ensuring that individuals with disabilities have access to quality health care, and essential services and supports."

Proclaimed by the United Nations in 1992, the annual observance of International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 3 aims to elevate the understanding of disability issues across all aspects of life, including health, political, social, economic, and cultural contexts, and to mobilize support for the dignity, rights, and well-being of individuals with disabilities.  The Department celebrates the dignity, resilience, and immense contributions of people with disabilities everywhere recognizing the progress made towards disability rights and the work that still needs to be done.  For many of the more than one billion disabled people around the world, disability is a source of identity and power, and the State Health Department recognizes our responsibility to ensuring everyone has equal opportunities to reach their full potential.  More than 1 in 4, or 27 percent, of New York State adults have one or more disabilities.  Disabilities are experienced in many forms, including those that impact vision, hearing, movement, mental health, learning, and memory, among others.  Individuals with disabilities experience significant health disparities as evidenced by data revealing higher rates of unmet health care needs due to broad structural inequities.  The Department remains committed to promoting the rights of people with disabilities, as well as addressing structural inequities experienced by people with disabilities, with a focus on increasing opportunities to receive accessible and inclusive health care.

For more information about disability, and promoting health and wellness among people with disabilities, contact the New York State Department of Health, Disability and Health Program at (518) 408-5142, DHP@health.ny.gov or visit health.ny.gov/community/disability/.

Disability Etiquette Training available for the public can be found here.

The Department's Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) Disability Status Report can be found here.

Information on improving mental health for New Yorkers living with disability can be found here.

An infographic on Improving the Health of New York State Adults Living with Disability – Social Determinants of Health can be found here.

The Disability and Health Behaviors Information for Action Report can be found here.