Assembly Recognizing International Day of Persons with Disabilities

Diversity Club members and Mount students led the community in recognizing the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

As declared by the United Nations, this day observed on December 3rd is the opportunity to reflect on how governments and public and private sectors have to collaboratively find innovative solutions for and with persons with disabilities to make the world a more accessible and equitable place and to “leave no one behind.” 

The club's presentation during an assembly brought awareness to the importance of person-centered language. The focus is on the individual as a whole human being first, not the disability, condition, or diagnosis. Altering our words to say “a person with a developmental disability” rather than “disabled person,” or a “person with quadriplegia” rather than “a quadriplegic” – emphasizes the person, not the disability. Placing the person first, instead of the disability, respects the whole person and emphasizes the individual as the primary, instead of a single characteristic.