International Day of Persons with Disabilities is celebrated worldwide on December 3 every year. This day has been celebrated since 1992 at the initiative of the United Nations to highlight the rights of persons with disabilities, respect and the importance of an inclusive society.

The main objective of the day is to raise public awareness in the government, institutions, communities and stakeholders around the world to take necessary initiatives for their empowerment while ensuring equal access to the economic, social, educational, cultural and political spheres of people with disabilities. By including people with disabilities in the mainstream of development and ensuring their participation in the decision-making process, it is emphasized to deal with their concerns not from the point of view of mercy, but from the point of view of rights. 

Recently, the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which has been ratified by 191 countries including Nepal, has accepted persons with disabilities as holders of equal rights. This day is also becoming important to alert the government and stakeholders for the effective implementation of the provisions mentioned in the convention. If we look at the national level, this day has played an effective role in drawing the attention of all stakeholders and communities to empower the voice of people with disabilities. 

In 2010, Nepal has ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. According to the convention itself, the Constitution of Nepal has addressed people with disabilities in terms of social justice, right to education, right to equality, right against discrimination, directive principles of the state and political rights. In the year 2074, the Government of Nepal rewrote the old law on disability and implemented the Act 2074 on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. It enacted various laws to implement the rights of persons with disabilities including education, health, employment, access to public places, rehabilitation and social security. But the implementation of these arrangements has not yet been effective. For the empowerment of persons with disabilities in Nepal, it is necessary to promote social awareness, inclusive policies, access to physical infrastructure, employment opportunities and disability-friendly services. Ensuring the rights of persons with disabilities is the basis for building a sustainable and equitable society. The slogan of the 33rd International Day of Persons with Disabilities is 'Infrastructure for an inclusive and sustainable future, the strong leadership of people with disabilities is its foundation', which conveys a deep message for developing countries like Nepal. The Constitution of Nepal has ensured social justice, equality and inclusive development for persons with disabilities. But there are still many challenges in the implementation of these rights in practice.

According to the National Census 2078, 2.2 percent of the total population of Nepal i.e. 647 thousand 755 people have disabilities. Out of the total number of persons with disabilities, 54 percent are men and 46 percent are women. After becoming a party to the convention, the legal structure related to disability in Nepal is also strong. However, the implementation of these laws is very lax in meeting the minimum requirements of fundamental rights including education, healthcare, employment, public infrastructure, and social security. Although there are educational policies and legal provisions that should provide children with disabilities the opportunity to get education on an inclusive basis in other normal schools, most of the educational institutions are not accessible for people with disabilities. 

Although information technology has increased access to education for people with disabilities around the world, curriculum, textbooks and teaching and learning methods are still not accessible and inclusive for them in Nepal. The state seems reluctant to invest in it. Specialized health care and therapy services are not readily available at the local level. Health institutions in rural areas lack the necessary infrastructure. In terms of employment and livelihood, employment opportunities for persons with disabilities are limited. Despite employment opportunities, there is a lack of disability-friendly workplaces in the private sector and government services. Most public places, transportation and government offices are not comfortable. Although programs such as social security allowances are implemented, they seem to lack sufficient scope and effectiveness. Nepal has accepted the principle of 'leaving no one behind' as part of the Sustainable Development Goals. Although a strategy has been decided to include people with disabilities in every aspect of development, the implementation is very weak. 

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the state must first make physical infrastructure, public places, transportation, information and communication systems accessible to ensure the accessibility of people with disabilities. For this, national standards should be effectively implemented and monitored. Public awareness and orientation should be conducted regarding creating an accessible environment. Schools, colleges and universities should implement accessible learning methods for children or students with disabilities and flexible methods for examination and evaluation by making maximum use of information technology. The government should implement an incentive program to include private sector employment, while mandatory provisions should be implemented to make government and private sector workplaces accessible. Vocational and skill training centers should be made accessible and mandatory quota system should be arranged to provide training. Vocational training curriculum and learning methods should be made flexible. Due to extreme lack of accessories and equipment, they are deprived of living an active and productive life. For this, the government should make arrangements to provide auxiliary materials easily from the local level and promote the production of auxiliary materials in the country. 

It is important to conduct campaigns at local and national levels to increase awareness about disability. Participation and leadership of persons with disabilities in decision-making processes should be promoted. For this, various mechanisms of the state and political parties should promote their participation and leadership in their structures. The Regulation on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2077 mandates local bodies to provide personal support services and care services to persons with total and severe disabilities in the community, including necessary aids. But even so far these services have not been implemented. For this, the government should prepare a list of people who need such services and make necessary procedures to provide the services. 

Only the strong participation of people with disabilities can be the foundation of a sustainable future for building an inclusive society. The 33rd International Day of Persons with Disabilities should hold stakeholders accountable and responsible for advancing the need for social, economic, cultural and political participation and leadership while ensuring their rights. It seems important to ensure opportunities for leadership development by including people with disabilities in policy making and decision-making processes. Stakeholders including civil society and organizations, educational institutions, commercial and private sectors and the media should play a special role. Civil society and organizations should conduct awareness raising programs and promote the culture of acceptance with social equality and respect. It is also necessary for the media to convey positive messages and help establish the issue of their rights.