In celebration of the International Day of People with Disabilities 2024 on 3 December, we spoke to changemakers in the community to find out what this day means to them, and the changes they hope to see by next year
Brooke-Jade Millhouse
Host of the Disabled and Proud podcast
“International Day of People with Disabilities (IDPWD) is a powerful reminder of the strength and resilience within the disabled community. It’s a day to celebrate our achievements, amplify our voices, and push for the recognition and rights we deserve. It’s about embracing our identities with pride, and challenging societal norms that often overlook or underestimate us.
“By IDPWD 2025, I hope to see a world where accessibility is not an afterthought but a standard. I envision more inclusive policies that empower disabled individuals in all areas of life, from education to employment. I also wish for greater representation in media and leadership roles, where our stories are told authentically and our contributions are valued for our experience and expertise.”
Jay Howard
Influencer and Disability Advocate
“IDPWD is a day where we can all celebrate our authentic selves and be proud of who we are without feeling like we have to hide. It’s a day for our whole community to come together and celebrate our differences – and for the rest of the world to embrace and support the disabled community. It’s an opportunity to show how incredible we are in our own unique way- just because we’re disabled doesn’t mean we aren’t able too!
“By the next IDPWD, I would like to see increased visibility and more disabled people featured across the media and on television. There are millions of disabled people across the UK, and I’d like to see representation that reflects our true presence and proportion in society.”
Tim Rushby-Smith
Writer and journalist
“When IDPWD comes around, I’m often asked to contribute an article or to co-present a show on local radio, as commissioning editors scramble to find someone with a disability to represent their concern for issues around disability. It’s certainly possible to leverage the opportunity to influence the public discourse and maybe even change a few opinions, but that could and should happen on other days too.
“What I would like to see is for people to consider the impact of current global events on those living with disabilities. War and famine are tragedies for all concerned, but when the social fabric breaks down, the consequences are felt earlier and even more harshly by people with disability.”
Jon Sparkes OBE
Chief Executive of learning disability charity, Mencap
“There are 1.5 million people in the UK with a learning disability. Many face shorter lifespans, inadequate access to healthcare, limited employment opportunities, and insufficient social care support, while 2,000 are detained in hospitals instead of receiving community-based support.
“By the next International Day of People with Disabilities, we want the rights and needs of people with a learning disability fully recognised throughout society. To get there, we hope that the NHS 10-year plan will fully reflect the recent recommendations from Lord Darzi to eradicate health inequalities; the social care system will be reformed to deliver the level of care that people need and deserve; and social security support will be improved enough to help people in and out of the workplace.”
Richard Whitehead
MBE Paralympic Gold Medalist
“IDPWD is an opportunity to shine a light on the challenges and obstacles that disabled people overcome every day and promote young leadership in society. Some young people are doing incredible things, either in employment, education or by volunteering.
“It also gives brands, and stakeholders, a chance to educate the wider audience and explain how they are bridging the gap between able-bodied people and disabled people through the technologies they provide.”
Samantha Renke
Writer and broadcaster
“When I became a Disability activist in around 2010, I truly believed my raison d’être was to change the hearts and minds of a pre-disabled world. I wanted people to be our allies, and for us to fight for social justice side by side. Of course, this is still something I very much live and breathe but, over the years as I’ve begun to understand the world and all its nuances, it’s become apparent that this is never going to be a reality. You can lead a horse to water… but you can’t get them to call out ableist BS!
“I’ve now realised that my energy and my voice don’t have to be focussed on getting the world to see my value. It’s better that I spend more time seeing value in myself and those in my community.
“For me, IDPWD is about being seen and living life, because this simple act is powerful enough!”
Victoria Jenkins
Founder of Unhidden Clothing
“My feelings around IDPWD change for me each year and are always more than one thing. It is an opportunity to celebrate and reflect on genuine progress being made, which has been noticeable even from outside our community this year in some spaces. It is also a day to highlight the barriers we are still fighting to remove just so we can live an equitable life.
“This year however I am inclined to say it serves as a lightning rod that – for as long as we do not have effective evacuation plans for our community in conflict zones – we are still leaving disabled people to die and valuing non-disabled lives above ours. I’d like to see policy change around that by next year.”
Ben Branson
Host of the Hidden 20% Podcast
“At The Hidden 20% we are doing everything we can to break the cycle of silence, shame and suffering for the 1.6 billion neurodivergent people worldwide, by spotlighting positive and accurate role models using educational and entertaining media.
“IDPWD marks an important day to spotlight disability, both visible and invisible. In a year’s time I would like to see neurodiversity fully integrated into the Diversity, Equality and Inclusion agenda.”
Steve Ingham CBE
Chair of Business Disability Forum
“I’d like to see disabled people recognised for the unique skills and experience they can bring to the workplace. Every year, Business Disability Forum launches its Disability Smart Awards on 3 December, and I have the privilege of being a judge. I love hearing about the difference that disabled people are making to the businesses they work for and beyond. Often, without the skills of disabled people, great things would never have happened. For me, acknowledging and celebrating disability is what the International Day is all about.”