The International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPWD) is celebrated annually on Dec. 3. IDPWD was established in 1992 by the United Nations (UN). Each year, the United Nations celebrates this day with a specific theme that highlights issues and goals related to disability rights. This year’s theme is “Amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future,” emphasizing the key role that persons with disabilities contribute to creating an inclusive community like UHart. We celebrate the contributions, achievements and resilience of persons with disabilities both within our community and in the broad spectrum.
UHart as a community is committed to fostering a culture of inclusion, where diversity is celebrated and everyone has the resources and support needed to thrive. This day serves as a reminder of our responsibility to continue to promote inclusivity, accessibility and equal opportunities for all individuals. International Day of Persons with Disabilities rallies support for critical issues relating to the inclusion of persons with disabilities, promotes awareness-raising about disability issues and draws attention to the benefits of an inclusive and accessible society for all.
More Information About IDPWD
Campus Resources
Access-Ability Services
Access-Ability Services at the University of Hartford provides accommodations and services to students with disabilities to ensure a university experience that gives individuals with disabilities the same access to programs, opportunities and activities as all others.
Contact Us: Access-Ability Services
Campus Location: Auerbach Hall, Room 209
Phone: 860.768.4312 Fax: 860.768.4183
Disabilities Affinity
The mission of the Disabilities Affinity Network is to engage the University of Hartford community and raise awareness through support and discussion related to the promotion of equal opportunities and the elimination of barriers for persons with disabilities.
Educational Resources and More:
The Office of Inclusive Excellence and Belonging seek to bring visibility and awareness to persons with disabilities within our campus. The information below was compiled using several resources in an effort to create a starting point for personal educational. We welcome feedback and input to further and/or improve these resources.
Websites
Videos
Podcasts
TED Talks
- Deep Sea Diving… In a Wheelchair
- Four Ways to Design a Disability-Friendly Future
- When We Design For Disability, We All Benefit
Celebrating Heritage Months and Identity Recognitions:
Throughout the year, UHart commemorates national heritage months and identity acknowledgments. These recognitions are an opportunity for all members of the community to continue our learning and engage in meaningful programming that recognizes, examines, and values historical legacies of all identities, celebrates its present, engages the diversity of lived experiences within our community, enhances our awareness, and raises visibility for communities across campus and beyond. Through community spotlights, guest speakers, panels, conversations, and research presentations, we foster an inclusive community at UHart.
Please see below for a listing of heritage months and identity acknowledgments. While these acknowledgments and recognitions are attached to a particular month, week, or day, honoring and learning about these identities is not time-limited. We hope this calendar is a helpful tool to ensure we’re inclusive of all members of our community
- Sept. 15–Oct. 15: Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month
- Oct.: National Disability Employment Awareness Month
- Oct.: LGBTQ+ Heritage Month
- Second Monday of Oct. (Oct. 10): Indigenous People's Day
- Third Wednesday of Oct. (Oct. 19): International Pronouns Day
- Nov.: Native American Heritage Month
- Nov. 13-19: Trans Awareness Week
- Nov. 20: Transgender Day of Remembrance
- Dec. 3: International Day of Persons with Disabilities
- Third Monday of January (Jan. 16): Martin Luther King Jr. Day
- Feb.: Black History Month
- March: Women's History Month
- March 8: International Women's Day
- April: Arab American Heritage Month
- May: Asian Pacific Islander American Heritage Month
- May: Jewish American Heritage Month
- June: LGBTQ Pride Month
- June 19: Juneteenth
- July: Disability Pride Month
Questions, comments, or suggestions? Contact Christine Grant, Assistant Vice President, Inclusive Excellence and Belonging (cgrant@hartford.edu; 860.768.4220) or Jordan Brown, Inclusive Excellence and Belonging Coordinator (jorbrown@hartford.edu; 860.768.4932)