Shine a Purple Spotlight on Disability on Saturday 3 December #IDPwD #PurpleLights22

Press Release Wednesday 30 November 2022 - Immediate Attn: Newsdesks and Social Affairs Correspondents

Shine a Purple Spotlight on Disability on Saturday 3 December  #IDPwD #PurpleLights22

The countdown is underway to this year's International Day of Persons with Disabilities and the Purple Lights campaign which will take place on Saturday 3 December.

The Purple Lights campaign sees Government buildings local and national, major companies, civic and educational institutions turning purple to celebrate the UN International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 3rd. 

Speaking about #PurpleLights22, the campaign’s founder, disability activist Gary Kearney said, “As a person who acquired my disabilities in my 40s, I found it extremely hard to come to terms with my new life. Becoming disabled never came into my head. It took years and a lot of work to come to terms with everything.

“Purple Lights is a day of celebration, inclusion and awareness. For me personally, it is a way of celebrating my disabled life and the people I have met along my journey. Disabled people deserve to be recognised and celebrated for who we. We don’t want to be pitied or applauded as inspirational – we just want to be seen as people! That is why I celebrate the UN International Day of Persons with Disabilities as I am proud of who I am and what I have achieved, so far. We still have a way to go.”

Quite a few landmark buildings will be turning purple again this year including City Hall in Dublin, The Convention Centre, Garda HQ and many more. The Rock of Cashel will be lit up in purple as well as White’s Bridge in Athlone. Cork City Council will also be illuminated in purple. Venues across Kildare are also lit up in purple for their annual Disability Awareness Week which coincides with #IDPwD and #PurpleLights. More landmarks and buildings are being added to the list daily. There will also be some buses wrapped in purple in Dublin and in Cork.  

You can follow the campaign on social media on the hashtags #PurpleLights22 and #IDPwD22.

Notes to editors:

• The annual observance of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) on 3 December was proclaimed in 1992 by the United Nations General Assembly resolution 47/3. The observance of the Day aims to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilise support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities.  The theme this year is “Transformative solutions for inclusive development: the role of innovation in fuelling an accessible and equitable world“.  You can read more about this year’s theme on our website www.disability-federation.ie
• Follow us on social media for more on #PurpleLights22 and #IDPwD22 Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Tik Tok 

For media contact:

Brenda Drumm, Communications Manager on 086 0764114