Celebrating Inclusion and Ability: Teaching Children About the International Day of Persons with Disabilities

Every December 3, communities around the world come together to celebrate the International Day of Persons with Disabilities — a day dedicated to promoting inclusion, raising awareness, and celebrating the strengths, talents, and rights of people with disabilities.

It’s a day filled with learning, compassion, and connection — an opportunity to help children understand that every person, regardless of ability, deserves respect, belonging, and opportunity.

At Language Kids World, we believe that celebrating meaningful world observances teaches families the values of empathy, accessibility, and global understanding. Honoring this day helps children recognize that people of all abilities enrich our communities and make our world stronger.

 

What Is the International Day of Persons with Disabilities?

The International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) was proclaimed by the United Nations in 1992 to promote the rights, well-being, and inclusion of people with disabilities in every part of society.

This special day reminds families that:

• People with disabilities have the right to access education, play, and community life.
• Everyone deserves to feel safe, respected, and included.
• Diversity — including differences in ability — makes our world more creative, compassionate, and connected.

For kids:
This day celebrates ALL people and encourages everyone to help build communities where everyone belongs.

 

How People Celebrate the International Day of Persons with Disabilities Around the World

 

School Celebrations and Class Conversations

Teachers often lead age-appropriate discussions about disabilities, inclusion, kindness, and accessibility.
Students may learn about assistive devices, practice inclusive language, or meet community members who share their stories and strengths.

Arts, Posters & Inclusive Messages

Children create posters or crafts celebrating:

• Kindness
• Accessibility
• Friendship
• Inclusion
• Everyone’s unique strengths

Many classrooms create “Inclusion Walls” or “Strength Chains,” where children write messages about how they can help others feel welcome.

Stories, Music & Cultural Sharing

Schools and families may read books or listen to music from creators with disabilities, helping children see the many ways people express talent around the world.

Community Events & Family Activities

Communities often host awareness walks, art days, or workshops on inclusion.
Families may watch short videos, read stories, or talk about how to make their home and school environments more accessible for everyone.

Why the International Day of Persons with Disabilities Matters

For adults, ideas like accessibility and inclusion may be familiar — but for children, this day opens the door to meaningful values such as:

• Empathy — understanding that people experience the world in different ways
• Kindness — helping others feel welcomed and supported
• Awareness — learning about different abilities, needs, and strengths
• Responsibility — noticing when something isn’t accessible and thinking of ways to help
• Respect — recognizing that all people deserve dignity and belonging

Pull Quote:
“The International Day of Persons with Disabilities reminds us that inclusion is not an option — it’s a promise we make to one another.”

 

How Families Can Celebrate the International Day of Persons with Disabilities

1️⃣ Create an “Everyone Belongs” Poster or Craft

Using paper, markers, or construction paper, children can create posters with inclusive messages like:

• “Every person matters.”
• “We all learn differently.”
• “Kindness includes everyone.”

Family Idea:
Draw stick figures using different mobility tools — wheelchairs, crutches, hearing aids, service dogs — and talk about how tools help people do amazing things.

 

2️⃣ Read Books That Celebrate Diverse Abilities

Stories help children understand people’s experiences with empathy and curiosity. Here are wonderful options:

• “El Deafo” by Cece Bell — a fun, empowering story about hearing loss and friendship.
• “Susan Laughs” by Jeanne Willis — a joyful look at childhood from a child who uses a wheelchair.
• “My Three Best Friends and Me, Zulay” by Cari Best — celebrating determination and friendship.

After reading, ask:

• “What makes everyone special in the story?”
• “How can we help people feel included?”

 

3️⃣ Celebrate Through Movement and Music

Play music and invite children to move in different ways: hopping, rolling on the floor, moving slowly, moving fast — showing that there isn’t just one way to move, dance, or play.

Family Idea:
Try a short “Accessibility Challenge,” like navigating a toy through an obstacle course blindfolded or using one hand to build a block tower. Discuss how tools or support can make life easier for everyone.

 

4️⃣ Make a Simple “Strengths Snack” Together

Food brings families together.
Prepare a fruit or veggie plate and let each child choose a food that represents a “strength” — something they’re proud of.

Talk about how people have many different strengths — creativity, problem-solving, resilience, or kindness.

 

5️⃣ Explore a Map of Inclusion Around the World

Show your child a world map and talk about:

• Different ways communities support people with disabilities
• Tools that help people communicate or move
• Games and sports created by or for people with disabilities (like goalball or wheelchair basketball)

Let your child draw children holding hands around the map — each one different and important.

 

6️⃣ Share a Message of Inclusion

Encourage older kids to create drawings, messages, or photos celebrating inclusion.

Suggested hashtags:

• #IDPD
• #InclusionMatters
• #EveryoneBelongs
• #AbilityNotDisability

Families can also decorate windows with simple messages such as:

• “Inclusion Begins With Us.”
• “Every Ability Is Beautiful.”
• “Kindness Creates Belonging.”

 

Fun Facts for Kids

• More than 1 billion people in the world have a disability.
• Disabilities can be visible (like using a wheelchair) or invisible (like dyslexia or autism).
• Many inventions — elevators, texting, voice commands — were inspired by accessibility tools.
• The Paralympic Games celebrate incredible athletic achievements by athletes with disabilities.
• Sign languages are real languages — with grammar, structure, and expression!

These facts help children see that differences are a normal, beautiful part of the world.

 

How Teachers Can Join In

Educators can weave inclusion into classroom routines with simple activities:

• Strength Shields – Students design shields showcasing their talents and abilities.
• Kindness Circle – Children share ways they can support classmates.
• Accessibility Walkthrough – Explore the classroom and notice what helps everyone participate.
• “Abilities Around Us” Mini-Lesson – Keep it simple and empowering.

 

Bringing the Message Home

At its heart, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities isn’t just a date — it’s a celebration of dignity and a reminder of our shared responsibility to create an inclusive world.

Every person deserves:

• Respect
• Care
• Accessibility
• Opportunity
• A voice

 

 “Inclusion means everyone has a place, a purpose, and the chance to shine.”

 

How to Talk About This Day With Children

Ages 3–5

Use simple ideas:

• “Everyone is different.”
• “We all need different kinds of help.”
• “Everyone can play and learn.”

Ages 6–8

Add more details:

• “Some people use tools, like wheelchairs or hearing aids, to help them do things.”
• “Inclusion means we make sure everyone can join in.”

Ages 9–12

Discuss deeper ideas:

• Accessibility and unfair barriers
• Why empathy matters
• How they can help create inclusive communities

 

For Houston-Area Families

Here are a few meaningful ways to celebrate locally:

• Children’s Museum Houston – Inclusive Play Exhibits
  Explore hands-on activities designed for different learning styles and abilities.
• Houston Public Library – Inclusive Storytime
  Many branches host storytimes highlighting diverse abilities and neurodiversity.
• Memorial Park Family Walk for Inclusion
  Take a nature walk and talk about accessibility in outdoor spaces.
• Family Art Day at Home or School
  Create “Inclusion Posters” or “Kindness Cards” celebrating everyone’s abilities.

These experiences support the core message of the day — that inclusion helps every child feel valued, seen, and supported.

 

Celebrating Together

The International Day of Persons with Disabilities is more than a global observance — it’s an invitation to celebrate diversity, build empathy, and nurture communities where everyone belongs.

This December 3, take time to honor the values of accessibility, kindness, and inclusion — and to celebrate the incredible strengths of people of all abilities.

Happy International Day of Persons with Disabilities from all of us at Language Kids World!

 

📚 Family Resources

• United Nations – International Day of Persons with Disabilities
  https://www.un.org/en/observances/day-of-persons-with-disabilities
• Children’s Books About Disabilities – Reading Rockets
  https://www.readingrockets.org
• Accessible Activities for Kids – Understood.org
  https://www.understood.org