The International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) was proclaimed by the United Nations in 1992, “to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities.”
At the University of Waterloo, our commitment to developing communities that are accessible, equitable, and sustainable is a core part of our vision that guides our Waterloo at 100 Strategic Vision and Plan.
Observances of IDPD
Learn more about past observances of IDPD at the University of Waterloo.
What is disability?
The Accessible Canada Act defines disability as “any impairment…or functional limitation…that, in interaction with a barrier, hinders a person’s full and equal participate in society”. As this definition highlights, disability is not something that resides solely within an individual – disability emerges as the result of the interaction between the individual and their environment. As Dr. Liu, Dean of Faculty of Health notes, “By this definition, it’s clear that almost all of us can experience a disability at any time”.
Creating a world that includes people through a full spectrum of abilities, allows all of us to consistently and equitably participate and contribute to society.
In this video, Waterloo Undergraduate Student Association (WUSA) Committee on Access & Disability member, Wren Alden, suggests ways to act against ableist beliefs that impact students.
Disability Statistics
Source: Statistics Canada, 2022
Source: Canadian University Survey Consortium (CUSC) 2023 Middle-Years Student Survey
Disabilities & Innovation
Remarkable examples of innovation have ensued from addressing disparities faced by people with disabilities, such as audiobooks that were initially developed for people with visual impairments but are now widely used by the general population. Alexander Graham Bell’s interest in sound technology was inspired by his mother and wife, who were both deaf, and eventually led to the invention of the telephone!
More recent examples include:
- Seeing AI by Microsoft which collects descriptive information on your surroundings through your device camera. Initially designed for the blind and low vision community, this research project harnesses the power of artificial intelligence to describe people, text, currency, colour and objects. Assistance in identifying unfamiliar objects like plants and wildlife, foreign currency, and having images described audibly is something everyone will find useful today.
- Google Action Blocks began intending to make it easier for people with cognitive disabilities to use Android phones and tablets. Actions like booking a rideshare which generally requires unlocking your phone, finding the right app, and typing in your pickup location. With Action Blocks, it can be configured to do tasks with just one tap, for example, call a loved one, share your location, watch your favourite show, and more. While this works to empower people with cognitive disabilities and help them gain independence, who wouldn’t benefit from an app that can simplify the use of our smartphone?
Persons with disabilities are also leaders in innovation. From audiobooks to closed captioning, and automated doors to text-to-speech software, persons with disabilities are designing new tools used throughout our communities. Learn more about 4 everyday innovations you probably didn’t know came from the disability community.
Dr. Lili Liu, dean, Faculty of Health, shares how Waterloo is in a unique position to advance innovation with disabilities in mind. The experience gained during the pandemic can educate us on how recognizing and embedding the needs of persons with disabilities in a post-COVID-19 world can drive innovation to build systems that are better for everybody. Dr. Liu notes, “More than ever, it’s important that persons with disabilities participate and have leadership roles to help ensure that our campus is equitable, and in turn, future generations of students and scholars experience a more equitable society.”