On Sunday December 3rd we will mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. Announced by the United Nations in 1993, it has the aim of increasing understanding of disability issues and mobilising support for the dignity, rights, and well-being of persons with disabilities. Preliminary findings from the forthcoming UN Disability and Development Report 2023 indicate that, despite good progress being made, the world is not on track to meet the UN sustainable development goals for persons with disabilities. For faster progress we need a cultural shift, where we prioritise policies and actions that target the poorest and most vulnerable in society, including persons with disabilities.

The International Day of Persons with Disabilities is an important way of raising awareness about the challenges persons with disability may face, at all levels of society. However, if we are to be truly inclusive then recognising barriers is not enough – we need to provide the means to remove them altogether. At DGS we do this best when we listen to each other, respond compassionately and thoughtfully to feedback, and acknowledge when we might need to adjust or do something differently. It is our goal to be a school that is truly inclusive, one where everyone can participate and feel known and valued. We recognise the outstanding contribution that persons with disability make to our school, and we wi ll continue to work as a community of staff and students to be the best, most inclusive school, we can be.