ASSEMBLY JOINT RESOLUTION

No. 110

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

220th LEGISLATURE

 

INTRODUCED FEBRUARY 14, 2022

 


 

Sponsored by:

Assemblywoman  CAROL A. MURPHY

District 7 (Burlington)

 

 

 

 

SYNOPSIS

     Designates December of 3rd of each year as “International Day of Persons with Disabilities.”

 

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

     As introduced.

  


A Joint Resolution designating December 3rd of each year as “International Day of Persons with Disabilities.”

 

Whereas,  Disability inclusion is an essential condition to upholding human rights, sustainable development, peace, and security; and

Whereas,  People with disabilities are one of the most excluded groups in our society, as these individuals are less likely to access health care, education, employment, and to participate in the community, and are among the hardest hit in this crisis in terms of fatalities; and

Whereas,  The global crisis of COVID-19 is deepening pre-existing inequalities, exposing the extent of exclusion and highlighting that working on disability inclusion is imperative; and

Whereas,  The annual observance of the International Day of Disabled Persons was proclaimed in 1992 by United Nations (UN) General Assembly Resolution 47/3, which aims to promote the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities in all spheres of society and development, and to increase awareness of the situations of persons with disabilities in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life; and

Whereas,  Building on many decades of the UN’s work in the field of disability, the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities has further advanced the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and other international development frameworks; and

Whereas,  The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization marked the International Day of Persons with Disabilities this year with a week-long program under the theme: "Building back better: towards an inclusive, accessible and sustainable post COVID-19 world by, for and with persons with disabilities;” and organized a global awareness raising campaign on its official social media channels, focusing on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on people living with disabilities and on the immediate response to the crisis through open, inclusive and innovative use of digital solutions, tools and resources; and

Whereas,  As an early epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States,  New Jersey suffered heavy losses, which revealed many of the systematic disparities that continue to exist in this State; therefore, it is proper and fitting that this State promotes the public understanding of the inequalities that exclude people living with disabilities, mobilizes support for the dignity, rights, and well-being of persons with disabilities, and increases awareness of the gains derived from the integration of persons with disabilities in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life; now, therefore,

     Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

 

     1.    December 3rd of each year is designated as “International Day of Persons with Disabilities” in the State of New Jersey, and the citizens are urged to observe the day with appropriate activities and programs.

 

     2.    The Governor is respectfully requested to annually issue a proclamation calling upon public officials and the citizens of New Jersey to observe the day with appropriate activities and programs.

 

     3.    This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.

 

 

STATEMENT

 

     This joint resolution designates December of 3rd of each year as “International Day of Persons with Disabilities” in New Jersey to State promote the public understanding of the inequalities that exclude people living with disabilities, mobilize support for the dignity, rights, and well-being of persons with disabilities, and increase awareness of the gains derived from the integration of persons with disabilities in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life.

     The joint resolution respectfully requests the Governor to annually issue a proclamation recognizing December of 3rd as “International Day of Persons with Disabilities” in New Jersey and calls upon public officials and the citizens of New Jersey to observe the day with appropriate activities and programs.