International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2025

Every year on 3 December, the world observes the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD), a global call to uphold the rights, dignity, and well-being of people with disabilities.

The 2025 theme, "Advancing digital accessibility and fostering inclusion for transformative solutions,” highlights a critical and timely priority: ensuring that technology, digital tools, and innovation are accessible to everyone, and that digital transformation does not leave people with disabilities behind.

In this blog, Anna Nova Galeon explores the significance of IDPD 2025, the growing importance of digital accessibility, and practical steps organisations can take to build inclusive, equitable, and accessible environments for all.

What is the theme for the International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2025?

The IDPD 2025 theme, “Advancing digital accessibility and fostering inclusion for transformative solutions,” underscores the urgent need to address digital barriers and create technology that is accessible, inclusive, and empowering.

As global systems become increasingly digital, this theme calls on governments, organisations, and communities to:

• Ensure digital platforms and services are accessible to persons with disabilities.

• Embed inclusive design into all technological solutions.

• Promote equal participation in digital learning, employment, and public life.

• Strengthen policies and systems that uphold digital rights and accessibility standards.

This theme supports the UN’s commitment to accelerating inclusive development and aligns with global priorities on digital transformation, equality, and social justice.

Why is it important?

Digital accessibility is no longer optional; it is essential.

For more than 1 billion people worldwide living with disabilities, inaccessible digital systems create barriers to education, employment, healthcare, communication, and participation in society.

In the UK and across the globe, people with disabilities continue to face:

• Limited access to digital services.

• Exclusion from online learning opportunities.

• Barriers in recruitment and workplace technology.

• Insufficient accessibility features in everyday digital tools.

IDPD 2025 reminds us that inclusivity must extend into digital spaces. Accessible technology benefits everyone, improving usability, widening access, and strengthening equality across communities and workplaces.

Key facts and statistics

Here are the latest insights reflecting global and UK disability inclusion trends:

• 16% of the world’s population (approximately 1.3 billion people) live with significant disability.

• In the UK, around 25% of working-age adults were identified as disabled in 2024.

• The disability employment gap remains substantial, with disabled people 28.6 percentage points less likely to be employed than non-disabled individuals.

• Digital exclusion continues to disproportionately affect people with disabilities, limiting access to essential services, online learning, and employment pathways.

• The global economic cost of excluding disabled people from the workforce exceeds $2 trillion annually.

These figures highlight the need for urgent investment in accessibility, inclusive design, and digital transformation strategies that empower people with disabilities.

Inspiring initiatives and organisations

Across the UK, many organisations continue to champion disability rights and digital accessibility:

• Disability Rights UK - Advocates for equal participation and provides essential policy guidance.

• Scope - Drives campaigns, training, and support services to promote equality for disabled people.

• Leonard Cheshire - Delivers programmes that support independent living, employment, and education.

• Mencap - Supports individuals with learning disabilities, promoting inclusion in schools, workplaces, and communities.

• AbilityNet - Specialises in digital accessibility, helping organisations build accessible websites, apps, and systems.

These efforts demonstrate how community leadership, advocacy, and collaboration are advancing accessibility across the digital and physical landscape.

How you can support IDPD 2025

You don’t need large-scale initiatives to make an impact. Even small, steady actions promote inclusion and accessibility:

Promote digital accessibility

Check that your website, learning platforms, and internal systems meet accessibility standards such as WCAG 2.2.

Raise awareness online

Use your platforms to amplify the message through stories, facts, and resources.
Suggested hashtags: #IDPD2025 #DigitalAccessibility #DisabilityInclusion

Educate yourself and others

Join webinars, training sessions, and workshops about digital inclusion and disability rights.

Support disability advocacy groups

Donate, partner, or volunteer with organisations working on accessibility and inclusion.

Challenge stigma and exclusion

Encourage open conversations about disability, accessibility barriers, and equality.

Conclusion

The International Day of Persons with Disabilities is not only a day of acknowledgement, but it is also a call to action.

As the world becomes more digitally connected, accessibility must be at the heart of every innovation and solution. By embedding inclusive practices, promoting digital equity, and ensuring people with disabilities can participate fully in society, we create a more just, equitable, and sustainable future for all.

Supporting accessible, inclusive workplaces with The Mandatory Training Group

At The Mandatory Training Group, we are committed to helping organisations create workplaces where accessibility and inclusion are embedded into everyday practice. Through our training, resources, and digital solutions, we support teams in meeting regulatory requirements while promoting equality for everyone.

ComplyPlus™ brings all your compliance needs into one easy-to-use platform, helping you manage:

• Policies and procedures

• Mandatory and statutory training

• Compliance records and documentation

• Evidence needed for inspections

By centralising these essential processes, ComplyPlus™ helps organisations stay organised, consistent, and confident in their compliance while creating safer and more inclusive environments for staff and the people they support.