Key points:
- International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD) is observed annually on 3 December to promote the rights and inclusion of people with disability worldwide.
- This year’s theme, Amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future, focuses on the importance of inclusive leadership on a global and local scale.
- Eight Australian ambassadors have been selected to represent diverse experiences of disability, helping to raise awareness, shift attitudes and promote inclusion across Australia.
Observed annually on 3 December, the International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD) was established by the United Nations in 1992. This initiative highlights the challenges faced by people with disability, promotes their rights and well-being, and encourages a more inclusive society.
Each year, the UN sets a specific theme to focus discussions and activities on relevant issues, and events are organised globally to celebrate the day. This year’s theme is Amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future.
The theme reflects current international political and policy contexts, including the Pact for the Future and the upcoming 2025 World Summit for Social Development. It emphasises the importance of inclusion in leadership roles for people with disability, both globally and locally.
Meet the 2024 Australian ambassadors.
Each year, Australia selects eight ambassadors who work to elevate the voices and experiences of people with disability and help shift societal attitudes. Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth noted that this year’s ambassadors genuinely reflect the diversity of people with disability in Australia, playing an important role in raising awareness of what it means to live with disability.
“This year’s ambassadors particularly highlight how disability can intersect with other factors such as age, gender identity, sexual orientation and cultural background. We hope to dismantle stereotypes and challenge misconceptions by providing a platform for people with disability to stand up as influential voices for the disability community,” Minister Rishworth said.
The 2024 IDPwD Australian ambassadors are:
- Uncle Paul Constable-Calcott, an artist and disability advocate who shares his journey as a gay First Nations man with disability in urban Australia. Uncle Paul works closely with his community, coordinating exhibitions and leading initiatives like the NunnaRon Art Group for artists with disability.
- Marcus Dadd, a farmer from Mudgee, NSW, and Australian National University Environmental Science and Agriculture honours graduate, focusing on sustainable beef production. He currently works on a large cattle station in the Northern Territory. Marcus is passionate about inclusivity, sustainability, and climate-positive practices in agriculture.
- Khadija Gbla, an award-winning speaker, human rights activist, and compassionate thought leader. Born in Sierra Leone, Khadija came to Australia as a refugee at age 13. She is dedicated to building a more inclusive, culturally aware, and accepting society for all.
- Hayden Moon, a dancer, writer, and advocate for LGBTQIA+, First Nations, and disability issues. Hayden has written extensively on his experiences, including a chapter in Nothing to Hide – Voices of Trans and Gender Diverse Australia.
- Sara Shams, a disability advocate, model, speaker, and healthcare professional. She is passionate about equal opportunities and increasing representation of people with disability, particularly those from diverse cultural backgrounds. Sara advocates for an intersectional approach to inclusion, working with the fashion and media industries to amplify diversity and ensure authentic representation of all disabled communities.
- Cooper Smith, a DJ and music producer with cerebral palsy who communicates through his music. Cooper champions diversity and inclusion in the music industry and has performed at events such as Ability Fest and the Australian Open. He also speaks to primary and high school students about disability and inclusion.
- Sean Skeels and Marley Whatarau, best friends who create dance and cooking videos together on social media. Their popular series, Get Down with Sean and Marley, earned them the TikTok Good Award in 2023 for creators fostering positive change.
Plan or attend an event.
If you would like to find out more about attending an event there’s a community event calendar for International Day of People with Disability, which has lots of events and activities throughout Australia and online.
If you’d like to plan an event for IDPwD, check out the event information kits for inspiration and ideas to help you plan, theme and deliver your event. There are different kits for schools, community groups and workplaces.
Whether you’re planning an event that’s big, small, in-person or online, you’ll be helping to break down barriers and promote inclusiveness. Make sure you register your event at: https://www.idpwd.com.au/events/.
How you can get involved.
- Plan or attend an event.
To celebrate IDPwD, consider attending or hosting an event in your community. Check the IDPwD event calendar for activities across Australia and online. Whether you organise a school, community or workplace event, IDPwD provides downloadable information kits to help with planning. - Share stories and start conversations.
You don’t need to organise an event to get involved. Simply starting a conversation about disability or sharing personal stories online helps foster inclusion in the community.