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International Persons with Disabilities Day: Enhancing Accessibility for All

Blog 32, November 2024

Dec. 3 marks International Persons with Disabilities Day, a time to focus on the crucial importance of removing barriers for the over one billion people living with disabilities worldwide. The American Association of Automatic Door Manufacturers (AAADM) is committed to raising awareness about how such efforts benefit society as a whole.

Established by the United Nations in 1992, this day aims to advocate for the rights and well-being of individuals with disabilities and to heighten awareness of their challenges in political, social, economic, and cultural realms.

With a global population exceeding 8 billion, more than 1 billion people—about 15%—live with some form of disability, with 80% residing in developing countries. Among those aged 60 and older, approximately 46% have disabilities. Women are particularly affected, with one in five likely to experience a disability in her lifetime, while one in ten children is also affected.

Often referred to as “the world’s largest minority,” people with disabilities face poorer health, fewer economic opportunities, and higher poverty rates compared to those without disabilities.

Research and experience show that removing barriers and empowering individuals with disabilities to fully participate in society benefits everyone. Barriers to inclusion are detrimental not only to those with disabilities but to society as a whole. Accessibility is crucial for progress and development across all sectors.

AAADM has been a strong advocate for increasing public access by promoting changes to the International Building Code (IBC). This includes requiring automatic doors at public entrances of buildings that meet certain occupancy thresholds, ensuring that at least one door is either a full power-operated or a low-energy power-operated door.

These updates reflect a broad recognition of the role automatic doors play in enhancing accessibility and accommodating various needs that make traditional doors challenging or impossible to use.

Ensuring physical access to facilities—whether for voting, shopping, dining, or essential services—is critical for the independence of individuals with disabilities. Automatic doors are a vital element in providing autonomy and ease of access for those facing physical and mobility challenges.

To make meaningful change in your facility, contact an AAADM member company today.

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