Celebrating International Day of Persons with Disabilities

(ABC 6 News) – Thursday evening, people came together for the International Day of Persons with Disabilities event in Rochester.

The event is put on by the Maxability taskforce, a group that supports hiring people with disabilities and also helps an employee resource group at Mayo Clinic.

The annual event included a celebration of talent and an art exhibit of disabled artists. The celebration is open to the public and offers an in-person schedule as well as a virtual one.

"Individuals with disabilities really want equal opportunity to live and enjoy their community as anyone else so the best thing people can give someone with disabilities is equal access to their communities," SEMCIL Program manager Melissa Cummins said.

Inspired by the UN Enable day, this celebration aims to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights, and well-being of persons with disabilities.

This year’s keynote speaker was Judith Heumann. Judith is an international human rights activist and author.