Palau celebrated the International Day of Persons with Disabilities yesterday with a parade and walkathon to mark the day and increase public awareness, understanding and acceptance of people with disabilities and celebrate their achievements and contributions.
President Tommy Remengesau Jr. in a presidential proclamation declared Dec. 3, as International Day of Persons with Disabilities in Palau.
Remengesau said the 2015 Palau Census indicates that there are over 1,000 persons with disabilities in Palau.
“The observance of the International Day of Person with Disabilities aims to promote an understanding of disability issues, mobilize support for the dignity rights and well-being of persons with disabilities, and to increase awareness of the gains that can be obtained, through the integration of Persons with disabilities, in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life,” Remengesau said in the proclamation..
During the Wednesday press conference, Tessie Nobuo from Omekesang placed great emphasis on “inclusivity, accessibility, and sustainability”
She said disability is “a cross cutting issue and in the proclamation, it states that it should be considered in the implementation of the Agenda’s 17 sustainable development goals.”
Omekesang is also prioritizing preparation of the members and their families from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
She said that after the theme was announced as “Building Back Better. Toward a Disability-Inclusive, Accessible, and Sustainable Post COVID-19 World” that their work is in line with the theme and they are continuing their work for it.”
President Remengesau said that since it’s the day for the disabled, the leaders, parents, and people from the community should come together and share what has been done and what still needs to be done to help people with disabilities.
He said that “if we are honest with ourselves there is some work that has been done, but there’s a lot that still needs to be done”
He also said that “we need to be inclusive, we need to be accessible, and we need to be sustainable to everyone”
He added, “we need to plan for a world beyond COVID to accommodate everyone.”