As the holiday season kicks in full force, there is a lot to think about. Some are scrambling to make sure they pick up all of the items on their list before items are not available. Others focus on the splendor of Christmas by getting their fill of lights, music and various events.

I found it interesting that during all of the hustle and bustle, the United Nations would select Dec. 3 as a day to raise awareness of individuals in our world and communities with disabilities. “The International Day of Persons with Disabilities has been commemorated by the UN since 1992, with each year focusing on a different issue faced by people with disabilities. A disability describes a condition that is very impaired in an individual, and it can be physical, sensory, cognitive, intellectual, or a chronic disease. Disabilities impact people not only physically and mentally, but also in all other aspects of their lives, and people with disabilities are often discriminated against.”

There has been so much intense discussion in the last year about what constitutes discrimination. Many people become defensive at the suggestion that they may be discriminating against others in different classes, races, cultures, religions and abilities. Instead we can just look at the more subtle things that people with disabilities experience. As I often find myself in the community with some of my friends, it is not really discrimination that I see — in some cases it feels more like indifference. I think often people who have not had experience with individuals with disabilities are not sure how to respond or react, so they just avoid. For example, instead of talking to them, they will direct questions to their caregiver. They will tell their children not to stare instead of encouraging them to engage in conversation. All of us, including people in the disability community, have things to share and want to be recognized.

“By calling attention to the lives of “Persons with Disabilities the United Nations wants to create discussions and actions towards a world that is more disability-friendly, and a society that is inclusive. It is important that infrastructures and commodities are prepared to cater to people with disabilities, and that they get the same rights as everyone else.”

Let us continue to opening ourselves and our children up to the idea of inclusion of all and understand that there we have more in common than differences.

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