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Every year on December 3, the world celebrates the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPwD) – a moment to honor the roles and contributions of persons with disabilities, and to reaffirm the global commitment to ensuring their full and equal participation in all aspects of social life.
In 2025, the United Nations has chosen the theme “Fostering disability inclusive societies for advancing social progress” – a powerful reminder that participation is not only a goal for persons with disabilities, but also the foundation for sustainable development for all humankind. A society can only be truly progressive when every individual has the opportunity to contribute, to be heard, and to be respected.
In Vietnam, this spirit is being realized through a wide range of policies and initiatives that enhance access to education, healthcare, employment, and technology for persons with disabilities. The country currently has around seven million persons with disabilities, accounting for nearly seven percent of the population. Every improvement – from urban planning and transportation systems to digital transformation – helps open the doors of social participation for millions.
However, challenges remain. According to the General Statistics Office and UNICEF survey (2016 - 2017), persons with disabilities in Viet Nam still have significantly lower rates of schooling, employment, and access to public services compared to the national average. They continue to face not only physical barriers but also informational and attitudinal ones – subtle yet deeply impactful obstacles to meaningful participation.
That is why the 2025 theme calls on individuals, organizations, and governments to take collective action – to make “building participatory societies” no longer an abstract idea but a daily practice. Participation begins with small, tangible changes: a more accessible ramp for wheelchair users, an adapted lesson for a student who is deaf or hard of hearing, or simply a respectful and attentive conversation. When everyone is empowered to develop and contribute, communities become stronger, more compassionate, and more resilient.
In celebration of the 2025 International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the Action to the Community Development Institute (ACDC) continues to work hand in hand with national and international partners to promote the values of equality, respect, and participation. Through programs that build capacity, improve accessibility, and strengthen the voices of persons with disabilities, ACDC believes that every action – no matter how small – contributes to meaningful and lasting change.
When persons with disabilities are truly given access, meaningful participation, and opportunities to reach their full potential, society becomes more complete, equitable, and sustainable. The 2025 theme – “Fostering disability inclusive societies for advancing social progress” – is not just a reminder; it is an invitation: an invitation to act, to participate, and to transform.
Let us take action today so that December 3 is not only a commemoration but a step forward – toward a society that is truly participatory and progressive for everyone.
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Themes from previous years
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By Nguyet Ha (compiled and edited)
