International Day of Persons With Disabilities

From CUPE National:  The theme for International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2020 is “Not All Disabilities Are Visible.” CUPE recognizes the important message behind this theme. As workers and activists, we need to understand that not all disabilities are immediately noticeable – from mental illness to learning differences, diabetes, chronic pain, cognitive dysfunction and much more.

CUPE strongly supports a disability rights agenda. This commitment on the part of our union is even more urgent given the current pandemic.

COVID-19 has heightened the call for action to make Canada more inclusive, equitable and accessible. Persons with disabilities are at greater risk of contracting the virus and have a higher mortality rate than those who do not have disabilities. New safety protocols have posed additional challenges and concerns for persons with disabilities, impacting access to full participation in society. For marginalized communities that include women, Black, Indigenous, racialized and LGBTQ2+ people, these impacts are even more disproportionate.