International Day of People with a Disability, held on 3 December 2008, is the time when New South Wales celebrates the contribution of people with a disability with the Don't DIS my ABILITY campaign.

2008 also marks the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. On 13 December 2006, during the 61st session of the General Assembly of the United Nations, the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities was adopted. On 30 March 2007, Australia signed the convention and has joined 128 other nations
to acknowledge the rights of people with a disability.

Approximately 650 million people, or 10 per cent of the world's population, have a disability. The convention promotes and protects the human rights of people with a disability in civil, political and social life.

This is an ideal time for the NSW Government to reaffirm its commitment to people with a disability. The Don't DIS my ABILITY campaign offers the broader community a chance to think about what we can do as individuals and communities to provide the 1.2 million people who have a disability in NSW, with better opportunities to participate in community life.

I am proud of what has been achieved so far in this state and proud of the work the Don't DIS my ABILITY campaign does to promote the values of diversity, inclusion and participation.

The Hon. Nathan Rees MP

Premier