The International Day of Acceptance, celebrated each year on January 20th, encourages the social acceptance of people with disabilities.
It also honors the late Annie Hopkins, who created the International Symbol of Acceptance, a wheelchair with a heart. Learn more about this special day and how you can take part!
What is the International Day of Acceptance?
The annual Day of Acceptance began to help spotlight the need for social acceptance and inclusion of people living with visible or invisible disabilities.
Whether or not someone lives with a disability, they are still human. The Day of Acceptance reminds us that we all deserve equal access to opportunities and fair treatment, no matter our differences.
Many people with disabilities worldwide join together on this day to share their stories. Allies can also participate by starting a conversation about the importance of social acceptance.
January 20th serves to help encourage us all to create a more inclusive world. We can all take part in creating a society that values each of our diversities and unique strengths.
How Did the International Day of Acceptance Start?
Annie Hopkins was born in 1984 with a disability. She, like many, grew up in a society that put limits on what she could accomplish as a person with a disability. She also saw how many of her peers with disabilities faced discrimination in various ways. However, Annie had a fiery spirit and a desire to live her life how she wanted.
In addition to creating her own YouTube channel to show people some of the daily challenges she faced, she created a unique symbol of a wheelchair with a heart, known as the International Symbol of Acceptance. After that, she started a company called 3E Love to help unite people with disabilities.
The three Es stand for:
- Embrace diversity
- Educate your community
- Empower one another
On January 20th, 2009, Annie tragically passed away after complications from a medical procedure. Her brother Steve, who helped create 3E Love, decided to change January 20th from a day of loss to a day representing Annie’s mission and vision.
Today, 3E Love offers merchandise with the International Symbol of Acceptance. Many feel this symbol helps unify everyone living with a disability.
How to Participate in the International Day of Acceptance
Wondering how you can participate in the International Day of Acceptance for People with Disabilities? You can use social media to help bring visibility and awareness to this movement.
If you feel comfortable doing so, you might share your stories of living with a disability, such as spina bifida, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, spinal cord injury, diabetes, neurogenic bladder or bowel, chronic fatigue syndrome, or autism, to name a few. Let the world know what challenges or discriminations you have faced. Talk about if and how you overcame those challenges.
This is a crucial part of helping people not only accept people with disabilities but also to understand them.
You can post pictures or a video while using the hashtag #DayofAcceptance. Share what acceptance means to you.
Remember, everyone is a valuable part of helping our world become more inclusive.
Acceptance and Community at 180 Medical
From the very beginning, as a company founded by a person with a disability, 180 Medical has been committed to the values of acceptance and inclusion.
We work hard to take care of our customers and treat everyone with kindness and dignity, regardless of our differences.
Our values don’t end with our employees and our customers. We also contribute in many ways to our local communities across America. For example, we proudly support various charitable organizations that provide help and resources for people with disabilities.
One of our favorite annual events is the OKASA Wheelchair Basketball tournament. This great event helps benefit the local youth wheelchair basketball team, Wheels of Thunder. We always love to help sponsor and attend this fun event. Plus, 180 Medical employees volunteer annually to play in the tournament.
Additionally, 180 Medical offers two annual scholarship opportunities for college students who either live with or care for a loved one with a disability. You can learn more about the 180 Medical College Scholarship and the Ron Howell Caregiver Scholarship.
Join Us in Honoring and Celebrating the Day of Acceptance
We hope you’ll join 180 Medical by participating in the International Day of Acceptance on January 20th each year. A more inclusive world with equal opportunities for everyone is ahead.
If you or a loved one requires incontinence, catheter, or ostomy supplies, contact us to experience our renowned customer service. Our specialists are ready to help you find the supplies to help turn your life around.
