International Day of Persons with Disabilities
December 3rd marks the International Day of Persons with Disabilities—a moment to reflect not just on rights and recognition, but on practical solutions. As our global population ages, the intersection of disability and aging presents unique challenges that demand thoughtful, compassionate responses. By 2030, over 25% of adults will be over 60, with many experiencing disability alongside aging. This isn’t merely a demographic shift; it’s a call to reimagine inclusion.
The challenges older adults with disabilities face are often invisible yet profound. Imagine navigating a world where your body no longer cooperates as it once did, while societal barriers—physical, digital, and attitudinal—remain stubbornly fixed. A retiree with mobility limitations might struggle with inaccessible public transport, making medical appointments feel like military operations. Someone with hearing loss may withdraw from social gatherings, not from choice but from exhaustion at constant communication barriers. These aren’t isolated inconveniences; they’re daily erosion of dignity and autonomy.
But here’s the truth we often overlook: disability isn’t the problem—our environments are. The solution begins with universal design. When cities prioritize curb cuts, audio announcements, and digital accessibility, they don’t just help wheelchair users or the visually impaired—they create smoother experiences for parents with strollers, delivery workers, and tourists. Inclusion is inherently multiplicative.
Technology offers transformative potential when designed thoughtfully. Simple apps that convert speech to text empower those with hearing impairments to participate fully in family dinners. Smart home systems allow individuals with limited mobility to control lighting, temperature, and security independently. Yet adoption gaps persist—often because training isn’t tailored to older learners. Community centers that offer patient, one-on-one tech mentorship see dramatic increases in confidence and connectivity among seniors. The lesson is clear: tools alone aren’t enough; human-centered implementation matters.
Perhaps the most insidious barrier, however, is discrimination—the quiet assumption that older adults with disabilities are burdens rather than contributors. This mindset manifests in patronizing language (“You’re so inspiring just for going shopping!”), exclusion from decision-making, or workplaces that value youth over experience. Combatting this requires cultural rewiring. Intergenerational programs, where tech-savvy teens collaborate with seniors on digital projects, shatter stereotypes while building mutual respect. Companies like Japan’s Panasonic now actively recruit older workers with disabilities, recognizing their unparalleled problem-solving skills and institutional knowledge.
Policy must catch up to principle. The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities provides a framework, but implementation lags. We need housing policies mandating adaptable design features, healthcare systems training staff in disability etiquette, and pension structures that don’t penalize part-time work for those managing chronic conditions. Most crucially, older adults with disabilities must lead these conversations. Nothing about us without us isn’t just a slogan—it’s effective policy-making.
On this International Day of Persons with Disabilities, let’s move beyond awareness to action. Check if your neighborhood park has accessible benches. Ask your local library about large-print collections. Challenge jokes that mock aging or disability. Support businesses owned by older entrepreneurs with disabilities. These micro-actions accumulate into cultural change.
Aging and disability aren’t tragedies to overcome but dimensions of human diversity to embrace. By designing flexible environments, challenging discriminatory mindsets, and amplifying lived experiences, we honor not just December 3rd’s significance but our shared humanity. The most powerful accessibility tool isn’t a ramp or an app—it’s imagination. Let’s imagine a world where every older adult, regardless of ability, lives not just with dignity, but with joy. That world is within reach—if we build it together.
Assistant Professor at the University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences in Tehran, Iran. He earned his Ph.D. in Gerontology with honors in 2017, following his Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Rehabilitation Sciences. Dr. Rashedi is an esteemed member of several prestigious organizations, including the Gerontological Society of America (GSA), the International Society to Advance Alzheimer's Research and Treatment (ISTAART), and the American Psychological Association (APA). His research primarily focuses on mental health and psychogeriatrics. Since 2019, Dr. Rashedi has been a Senior Collaborator for the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) at the Institute for Health Metrics Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington in the United States.