International Day of Acceptance is a holiday observed annually on January 20th that encourages everyone to accept all people. Unfortunately, many do not embrace individuals who have different abilities, which means they are not accepting them for who they are.

Approximately 15% of people in the world have some sort of disability, and many of these individuals are ostracized, lack basic access to education, and live in poverty. Fortunately, things are slowly beginning to change in some areas. It’s becoming clear that people of all abilities should be celebrated and not ostracized, which is why this holiday is important.

The History of International Day of Acceptance

This holiday was created by 3E Love, a company founded by Annie Hopkins and her brother Stevie. The goal of this company is to spread the word about the importance of embracing diversity.

It also aimed to help empower people of all abilities. In 2009, Annie Hopkins passed away on January 20th. To continue her legacy, her family and friends created the International Day of Acceptance. Since 2010, it has been observed every year around the world.

Some Important Facts About Acceptance

Although everyone has heard of the word acceptance, not as many people understand its true meaning. Sure, people know that “acceptance” is the process of viewing a person as adequate or suitable to be treated with the same respect that every other member of the community is afforded.

But there are plenty of things that people don’t realize about it. We’ve decided to list some of these things below so that everyone understands acceptance a little better and practices it in their day-to-day life.

• Acceptance is an active process, which means it must be practiced regularly.
• Acceptance also means not trying to control the feelings of others.
• It involves accepting people for who they are and not judging them for what they are not.
• Accepting individuals do not compare people with one another.

Observing the International Day of Acceptance

Individuals with disabilities should use this holiday to share their stories of acceptance. It’s also a day for everyone to reflect on whether they are accepting of all people, regardless of ability. Additionally, it’s a good day to learn ways to empower people of all abilities.

To spread the news about this holiday, people can use the International Symbol of Acceptance (the Wheelchair Heart) or use the hashtag #InternationalDayOfAcceptance on social media.