Wednesday, December 3, marks the International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD) and provides an opportunity to celebrate the lives, contributions and achievements of the 4.4 million Australians with a disability.

The Day aims to raise awareness and take steps towards a more inclusive and accessible community. The United Nations Official Theme has been announced for 2025: “Fostering disability-inclusive societies for advancing social progress”.

In “Fratelli Tutti” (2020), Pope Francis called us to ensure the active participation of people with disabilities in the civil and ecclesial community. Currently, many people with disabilities do not enjoy access to society on an equal basis with others.

The problem of disability is not so much the impairment but the ignorance, intolerance, injustice and exclusion that misses the dignity and humanity of the person. It is also necessary to recognise the range and vast diversity of experiences within disability.

Each person in the community needs to be accepted as a brother or sister. Our aim should be to speak no longer about ‘them’, but rather about ‘us’. Catholic social teaching and the theology of disability offer a rich and more human basis for care of people with disabilities. All people are created in the divine image; this indicates how essential it is for us to listen and understand, to become a friend of people with disabilities.

All should feel welcome at the Lord’s table and be encouraged to fulfil any ministerial roles to which he or she is called, competent and capable. Sometimes we make assumptions about what people living with a disability need or want. Any discussion of inclusion of people with disabilities must begin with the understanding that people living with a disability know best what is needed, based on their own experiences, so should be included in all consultations. Their participation enriches every aspect of Church life.

A new ‘Community Conversation Guide” is now available to help you discuss IDPwD and disability. Check these websites for resources:
Department of Health, Disability and Ageing OR international-day-of-people-with-disability.

The UN Theme this year is emphasising the need for inclusive practices in all aspects of life. Perhaps, as a parish community, we need to reflect on our practices and strive for greater inclusivity.
I encourage you to start the conversation and advocate for policy changes that support people living with a disability.

Return to Sandpiper e-News 112 (28 November 2025) 

Mary Pianta
Disability Contact Coordinator. Diocese of Sandhurst.