BURNABY—CUPE BC is proud to mark the 23rd annual International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
“Both in the workplace and society at large, our union has a strong track record of fighting for the rights of persons with disabilities,” said CUPE BC President Mark Hancock.
In 2012, CUPE launched the disability rights awareness campaign “A Solidarity of Abilities.” It led to the creation of the first “Duty to Accommodate” course for members, workshops across the country, and coalition-building with a number of disability-related organizations.
In 2013, the union’s B.C. Division premiered a video (http://www.cupe.bc.ca/news/3049), “Ready and Able: Disability Rights and the CUPE Activist,” at its fiftieth annual convention. And earlier this year, the National union released the disability rights brochure, (http://cupe.ca/sites/cupe/files/brochure_ready_and_able_singles.pdf) “Ready and Able: Creating an Ability-Smart Work Environment.”
December 3 has been promoted by the United Nations as International Day of Persons with Disabilities since 1992. For two decades, the day has been recognized to increase awareness on disability issues and to gain support for the dignity, rights and well-being of those with disabilities.
This year’s United Nations theme for Disabilities Day is Sustainable Development: The Promise of Technology. For more information, visit the UN web page: http://www.un.org/disabilities/default.asp?id=1620
