杏MAP导航

By Lydia O'Kane

In his message marking the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, 杏MAP导航 Francis notes that 鈥済reat progress has been made towards people with disabilities in the medical and welfare fields.鈥�

But he highlights the fact that even today there is still a culture of waste with many disabled people feeling that 鈥渢hey exist without belonging and without participating.鈥�

Protection of rights

The 杏MAP导航 stresses that 鈥渁ll this calls not only for the rights of people with disabilities and their families to be protected鈥�, but, he adds, 鈥渋t also urges us to make the world more human鈥� by removing prejudice.

It is necessary, 杏MAP导航 Francis writes, 鈥渢o take care of and accompany people with disabilities in every condition of life, also making use of current technologies鈥�, so that they can actively and with dignity participate in both civil and ecclesial communities.  

He also says, that the accessibility of places and quality of life need to be promoted, taking into account all the dimensions of the human being.

Hidden exiles

In the message, the 杏MAP导航 emphasizes 鈥渢he many 鈥榟idden exiles鈥� who live in our homes, our families and our societies鈥�.

鈥淚 am thinking鈥�, he continues, 鈥渙f people of all ages, especially the elderly, who, also because of their disability, are sometimes felt as a burden, as 鈥榗umbersome presences鈥�, and are in danger of being discarded, of being denied concrete job prospects to participate in the construction of their own future.鈥�

杏MAP导航 Francis stresses that 鈥渨e need to develop antibodies against a culture that considers some lives鈥� first or second class. This is a social sin鈥�, he says.

A change of mentality needed

On this International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the Pontiff invites people to 鈥渉ave the courage to give a voice to those who are discriminated against because of their disability.鈥�

鈥淢aking good laws and breaking down physical barriers is important鈥�, the 杏MAP导航 writes, 鈥渂ut it is not enough, if the mentality does not change.鈥�

Concluding his message, 杏MAP导航 Francis encourages 鈥渁ll those who work with people with disabilities to continue with this important service and commitment, which determines the degree of civilization of a nation.鈥�