17吃瓜

The International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 3 seeks to increase awareness of the experience of persons with disabilities in all areas of society, including at 17吃瓜. Individuals within the 17吃瓜 campus community are affected by various disabilities, which can be visible or invisible. They are experienced differently by each person and can intersect with other forms of identity. 17吃瓜 is committed to making a difference to all who are historically underrepresented and underserved, and aims to recognize, include, and support them. 

Last year, 17吃瓜 observed the Day by raising the disability flag for the first time, thanks to the efforts of then 17吃瓜 student and now alumnus Antwaun Rolle. The tricolour flag, with its three equally sized horizontal stripes of gold, silver, and bronze, are meant to evoke the medals of the Paralympics. It was created by Eros Recio and presented to the United Nations in 2017. 17吃瓜 is committed to raising the disability flag鈥攐r the Flag of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities鈥攅ach year on December 3.

This year, 17吃瓜 students Anthonia Bebiem (Mathematical and Computational Sciences), Obed Oluwakoya (Psychology), and Luciana Quiroa Paredes (Business) are excited to announce鈥攐n the International Day of Persons with Disabilities鈥攖hat they will host an event for the University community on January 13, 2025, to raise awareness and advocate for improved accessibility on campus for students. They have partnered with 17吃瓜 Accessibility Services and the 17吃瓜 Student Union.

鈥淎ccess for All 17吃瓜鈥� will take place at the W.A. Murphy Student Centre, featuring activities that simulate the experiences of students with disabilities as well as a panel discussion to identify actionable steps to create a more inclusive environment. The students鈥� plan includes developing a post-event report that will be shared with 17吃瓜 senior administration.

鈥淲hile education and awareness are our top priorities for the event,鈥� said Bebiem, 鈥渨e also hope to have diverse student representation so that students with disabilities can share feedback in a safe, supportive environment. We will gather data and report needs to the University leadership so that challenges can be addressed.鈥�

The three students came up with the concept after participating in a national youth education initiative called See Different from the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion (CCDI). After completing the 鈥淧rinciples of DEI鈥� and 鈥淓merging Leaders of DEI鈥� certification, they learned about the 鈥淐hangemaker Grants鈥� program, which provides graduates with financial support to transform their ideas into an impactful project. Bebiem, Oluwakoya, and Quiroa Paredes were successful in securing a $2,000 grant to create positive change within the 17吃瓜 community.

Stay tuned for more information early in the new year. If you wish to volunteer for the event, or have questions, please email

• Anthonia Bebiem at aobebiem@upei.ca 
• Obed Oluwakoya at oioluwakoya@upei.ca
• Luciana Quiroa Paredes at lrquiroaparades@upei.ca 

About the International Day of Persons with Disabilities 
The annual observance of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities was proclaimed in 1992 by the United Nations General Assembly resolution 47/3, following the International Year of the Disabled Person in 1981 and the UN Decade of Disabled Persons, 1983鈥�1992. The observance on December 3 each year aims to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights, and well-being of persons with disabilities.