In 1992, the United Nations proclaimed December 3 as the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. Since then, this day has been dedicated to raising awareness about disabilities and promoting the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities.

This year’s specific theme is “Fostering disability inclusive societies for advancing social progress”, reaffirming the need to build a more accessible and sustainable world, where all segments of society feel included, comprising an estimated 1.3 billion people (1 in 6 people) experiencing significant disability. 

While progress towards inclusion is being made, barriers like a lack of opportunities and facilities remain. Disability is, for example, one of the main reasons for not practising any sport. Strongly convinced of the fundamental role of sport, EUSA is putting concrete effort into making it more accessible and inclusive. For this reason, in September, EUSA donated sports equipment to the Varstveno delovni centre (VDC) Toncke Hocevar in Ljubljana, Slovenia. This care and work centre supports more than 250 adults with mental and physical disabilities, 50 of them already compete in Special Olympics events.

In 2016, EUSA introduced para sports in its competitions program, including Para Swimming and Para Table Tennis in the third edition of the European Universities Games. Next summer, inclusive dance and sitting volleyball will integrate the EUG Salerno 2026 program. The engagement of volunteers with disabilities at EUSA sports events is supported as well.

EUSA has also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with both the European Paralympic Committee and Para Volley Europe, collaborating with both organisations to pursue various efforts to promote sports for students with disabilities. 

EUSA is proud to be engaged in improving the involvement of young people with disabilities in sport. We will keep increasing our efforts to include sports competitions for student-athletes with disabilities at our events and continue taking part in projects aiming for inclusivity and visibility of people with disabilities. 

For more information about the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, please visit https://www.un.org/en/observances/day-of-persons-with-disabilities