December 3 marks the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, we have seen how challenges long faced by persons with disabilities have been exacerbated in many ways, through gaps in programmes and support services, to stigma and discrimination all the more. This incudes a crucial focus on sexual and reproductive health and rights, and a response to gender-based violence. 

We have created this first-of-its-kind video at UNFPA, seeking to make the film truly accessible to persons with a range of disabilities, including visual impairment. As such, the video treatment may be new for many viewers. But the more you watch, the more you realise how crucial accessibility - something the majority of us take for granted - is to millions of persons living with disabilities the world over.

We must all do what we can to understand the needs and challenges of persons with disabilities, to foster inclusion and respect, in the spirit of rights and choices for all.

Respect, recognise, engage!

The video was produced in consultation with persons living with disabilities themselves, and created in partnership with Quo-Global, a Bangkok-based production house. We thank all those who provided valuable input, which allowed us to create this product through multiple iterations. We recognise we can do even better going forward, and pledge to do all we can to ensure that our communications content is as accessible as feasible to serve a range of constituencies.