What do Stevie Wonder, Andrea Bocelli, Nick Vujucic and Alex Zanardi have in common?

They belong to the group of over one billion people worldwide with disabilities – that’s around one in every seven people you meet.

On 3 December, we observe International Day of Persons with Disabilities and National Disability Rights Awareness Day, to promote the rights and wellbeing of persons with disabilities, and to raise awareness around the challenges they face.

Advances

Disabilities an be physical, behavioural, developmental or sensory, and range from slight to severe. But while living with a disability is a challenge in itself, the way society responds to disability can be more challenging still.

Fortunately, there’s been significant progress in this regard. Through awareness-building, persons with disabilities now have more rights and opportunities than in the past. And many companies are expanding their efforts to be more inclusive.

Mattel unveils a blind Barbie

Mattel’s release of its blind Barbie in July 2024 follows Barbies with diverse conditions such as Down syndrome, vitiligo, scoliosis or alopecia. Mattel has also released dolls that come with a wheelchair, with prosthetic legs and with hearing aids. Designed in partnership with the American Foundation for the Blind, the doll comes in a box with Braille lettering. It also has a red-and-white cane with a marshmallow roller tip, sunglasses for light-sensitive eyes, clothing that was tested for tactile satisfaction with blind and low-vision children, and bendable arms for cane use.

Brands are focusing on accessibility

Magnetic packaging and new clothing ranges are making it easier for those who are visually impaired or have physical disabilities.

Starbucks modifies stores

As part of its strategy to provide greater accessibility for employees and patrons, Starbucks is incor- porating:

  • Lower counters for those who are short, and those in
  • Order status boards for employees who can’t verbally let patrons know when they can collect their order.
  • Gentler lighting for those with visual
  • Background noise reduction with special acoustics for those who’re neurodivergent or hearing

What persons with disabilities wish the world knew about them:

  • Beyond the disability is a human being who has the same kind of hopes, dreams, talents and emotions as anyone else.
  • Disability doesn’t discriminate. It can happen to anyone.
  • Just because you can’t see a disability (such as a prosthetic leg), it’s no less of a disability and doesn’t mean it’s not a challenge.
  • Many spaces are still inaccessible, which makes it difficult for persons with disabilities to go to certain places and enjoy certain activities.

Bottom line

If our society truly wants to become more accessible, disability-friendly and accommodating of those of us who’re different, curiosity and kindness need to meet.
Be open to engaging in conversations with persons with disabilities. Ask them about their life and experiences. Invite them to share what they need and what they want. Not only are you likely to discover someone with a remarkable life story, but you’ll probably walk away from the encounter wiser and more accessible yourself.