On December 3rd, International Day of Persons with Disabilities, global citizens can celebrate two major achievements, in Canada and Colombia, to remove barriers for persons with disabilities. Canada has established the Canada Disability Benefit, and in Colombia, lawyer Jeison Aristizábal opened the first university for young people with disabilities.

The Canada Disability Benefit, or Bill C-22, became law on August 16, 2023 and, as a federal benefit, will provide financial support to low income, working age persons with disabilities. This monthly benefit is modelled after the Guaranteed Income Supplement and focuses on poverty reduction and financial security for Canadians with disabilities.

In Cali, Colombia, Jeison Aristizábal grew up with cerebral palsy, became a lawyer, and created a foundation to help persons with disabilities. Aristizábal previously opened a rehab centre, equipped with therapeutic and medical tools, and has supported over 1,000 people to date.

In 2023, his foundation opened the first university for young people with disabilities in Latin America. Classes include computer programming, languages, music and culinary arts. The university has accessible equipment to facilitate learning, such as ocular technology which makes it possible for those who can’t move their hands and feet to operate computers with their eyes.

Both international achievements in 2023 will go a long way towards increasing participation and inclusion of persons with disabilities, whether accessing the Canada Disability Benefit, or Aristizábal’s University in Colombia.