Without inclusion there is no economic and social progress: this is the theme chosen by the UN for the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
Every year, on 3 December, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities shines a spotlight on a reality often overlooked by the governments of individual states: without truly inclusive policies, social development is not possible.
The theme chosen by the United Nations for 2025 is“Promote inclusive societies for people with disabilities to promote social progress“. Building societies that integrate people with disabilities must not be considered an “extra” ethical objective, but a prerequisite for making the economy, welfare and social cohesion work. This means that every person with a disability can actively participate in economic, social and cultural life, contributing their potential to collective development.
The data. Worldwide, over 1 billion people live with some form of disability, equal to approximately 15% of the global population. One in ten children in the world, or almost 240 million children, has a disability (Unicef data).
In Italy, the most recent estimates indicate the presence of approximately 7.6 million citizens with disabilities, many of whom still face difficulties in accessing education, work and essential services. Furthermore, it emerges that only 33.5% of people between 15 and 64 years of age with serious disabilities are employed. These employees, however, do not always hold job positions that correspond to the skills and qualification levels acquired.
Disability and development. According to United Nations reports, people with disabilities all over the world face barriers that hinder their personal development. First of all, disabled people are more likely to live in precarious economic conditions, also due to fewer educational and work opportunities, as well as being more exposed to discrimination in the workplace, receiving lower wages, and being more employed in sectors where protections and rights are reduced. Furthermore, in many countries social protection proves inadequate: many welfare systems do not adequately cover the additional costs linked to disability.
Therefore, disability and development are not two parallel paths, but the same path. And without equal access to resources, rights and opportunities, no progress can be defined as “for all”.
Inclusion as a driver of progress. More than thirty years after the establishment of this International Day, the message spread by the United Nations is that inclusion must not represent a cost, but a social investment.
Societies that eliminate barriers – physical, economic, cultural – are more productive, more innovative societies.
