International Day of Persons with Disabilities

International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) is observed annually on December 3rd. It was established by the United Nations in 1992 with the goal to promote the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities in all aspects of society.

Description & History

91´«Ã½

International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) is observed annually on December 3rd. It was established by the United Nations in 1992 with the goal to promote the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities in all aspects of society. This day is also used to increase awareness of the challenges faced by this community, specifically in the areas of human rights, accessibility, and inclusion. By dedicating a day to these efforts, ongoing action ensures that persons with disabilities have equal opportunities to thrive and contribute to society.

Professional Learning Resources

AASL logo on a computer screen sitting on a shelf

This on demand webinar (free for AASL members), focuses on makerspace accessibility, universal design, and real-world scenarios.
AASL logo on a computer screen sitting on a shelf

This on demand webinar (free for AASL members) focuses on serving autistic and/or sensory needs patrons in the library space.
Devices displaying knowledgequest.aasl.org with a faded background of books

Ashley Hawkins shares her personal experiences as a disabled school librarian in this blog post.

This article from Publisher’s Weekly focuses on serving neurodiverse students in the library.

Guidelines for Accessibility and Universal Design - This article from the University of Washington discusses accessibility and design for all students within the makerspace.

This on demand webinar, originally presented on September 7, 2022, focuses on creating acceptance and inclusion for patrons with sensory needs.

This on demand webinar, originally presented on October 17, 2023, focuses on disabilities experiences and providing inclusive spaces and programming.

This on demand webinar, originally presented on August 4, 2021, focuses on expanding services, programming, and outreach to patrons with disabilities.

This on demand webinar, originally presented on March 23, 2022, focuses on practical and dynamic ways to improve the library space for disabled patrons.

Learner Engagement Resources

SBSK features interviews with disabled people of all kinds.

Ideas for celebrating International Disability Awareness Day with your students

Book Lists

This list, curated by Hannah Pohl, features picture books and chapter books representing a wide variety of disabilities. It is ideal for use in PK-12 school libraries.

Schneider Family Book Award

The Schneider Family Book Awards honor an author or illustrator for a book that embodies an artistic expression of the disability experience for child and adolescent audiences.

This list from Mrs. D’s Corner features a variety of picture books on disabilities.

This list from Imagination Soup provides picture books and chapter books for an audience from PK-12.

This list from Read Brightly features books from picture books to young adult ages.

This list from Read Brightly features 12 picture books on a variety of disabilities and differences.

Promotional Resources

91´«Ã½

Utilize hashtags such as #IDPD, #DisabilityRights, #InclusionMatters, and #Accessibility to find and engage with content on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook. Encourage your community to share educational posts, personal stories, or highlight local events.