International Day of Persons with Disabilities

Media Release
3 December 2012

With over 530,000 New Zealanders with arthritis, it is timely to pause and think about the member of your family who has arthritis on this International Day of Persons with Disabilities

The International Day of Persons with Disabilities is observed each year on 3 December. This year the theme is about promoting the benefits of accessibility to all people and communities.

“People with arthritis are 5% less likely to be employed than those without arthritis, and there are 17,940 people receiving sickness or invalids benefits as a result of musculo-skeletal conditions, the bulk of which will be arthritis,” said Acting Chief Executive, Rob Mitchell.

Advocacy on behalf of people affected by arthritis is one of the priorities of Arthritis New Zealand, and a network of advocates is being formed around New Zealand to give voice to this often overlooked disability. Contrary to outmoded stereotypes, arthritis affects people of all ages including the very young, and arthritis advocates include young adults and teenagers.

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