December 3rd marks the Inteternational Day of Disabled Persons, adopted by the United Nations in 1992. The day is aimed at bringing attention to the situation of people with disabilities, with a view to securing their equal dignity and participation in society. In 2007, the Council of Europe celebrated the one year anniversary of its Disability Action Plan on this day.
19/12/2007 ::
The Council of Europe consider the situation for people with disabilities important. The organisation works, in particular through the Disability Action Plan, to safeguard the quality of life and general position of people with disabilities in society. Secretary General of The Council of Europe, Terry Davis, emphasizes that the best way to achieve a truly accepting and including society is by focusing on a person’s talents, abilities and possibilities rather than his or her limitations, disabilities or medical condition. The degree of disability is less determined by the actual physical functioning of a person than by the way that person is perceived by his or her fellow citizens. By doing this, people with disabilities may be respected as equal citizens rather than being treated as patients.