International Day of Persons with Disabilities: “If working is the norm, inclusion is too”
3 December 2026: International Day of Persons with Disabilities
Work is part of millions of people’s lives—from searching for a job or attending an interview to sharing an idea or having a coffee before the workday begins.
For many people with disabilities, however, the real barriers are not these minor setbacks, but prejudice, limited opportunities, and a lack of accessibility. The figures show just how much these barriers still matter: in 2023, only 35.5 per cent of working-age people with disabilities were participating in the labour market, compared with 78.5 per cent of people without disabilities.
These situations may go unnoticed, yet they shape access, participation, and career development.
That’s why, on this International Day of Persons with Disabilities, we want to focus on one simple idea: if working is the norm, inclusion is too.
Employment inclusion of people with disabilities: Working is the norm. Employment inclusion is the norm
A disability should not prevent anyone from finding work, building a career, or fully participating in the workplace.
Inclusion begins with identifying and removing barriers, improving accessibility, and setting aside bias to ensure that talent remains the central focus.
When everyone can reach their potential, we move towards a more inclusive workplace.
Our campaign uses three everyday situations to help you spot barriers that often go unnoticed.
It’s normal not to know which photo to include on your CV
Choosing a profile photo for LinkedIn can feel a little uncertain. Which one shows the best version of me? Does it look too serious—or maybe too casual?
What isn’t normal is for an image to outweigh a person’s talent
It’s normal to have problems with the coffee machine first thing on a Monday
A coffee that won’t brew, a machine that breaks down, or needing a little extra time to get the day off to a good start are all minor hiccups that can happen during any workday.
What isn’t normal is for a person to be unable to participate, share their ideas, and put forward proposals, regardless of disability.
It’s normal to forget a name in an interview
Nerves can make us imagine things. We may draw a blank, get a name wrong, or take a few seconds to remember the information.
What isn’t normal is encountering spaces that aren’t accessible and make something as important as finding a job much harder.
Workplace inclusion on International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2026
Creating inclusive spaces requires identifying and removing existing barriers, including physical, communicative, and attitudinal barriers, as well as those stemming from our own biases.
By making environments more accessible and prioritising talent over stereotypes, we move towards a society where everyone has the same opportunities to demonstrate their talent.