High Peak Liberal DemocratsToday is International Day of Persons with Disabilities, a UN-day. The theme for this year's is: "Break Barriers, Open Doors: for an inclusive society and development for all".
It's an opportunity to celebrate the achievements and abilities of disabled people, with activities taking place around the world, from Gateshead to Australia.
British double leg amputee and Paralympic Gold medalist, Richard Whitehead, highlighted just what could be achieved when he ran a marathon a day this summer from John O'Groats to Land's End, to raise money for Sarcoma UK and Scope.
Holly Greenhow, a seven year old with cerebral palsy, continued to break down barriers by starring in the new Boden advertising campaign.
And five disabled campaigners won their Court of Appeal bid to overturn the Government'sdecision to abolish the Independent Living Fund (ILF), which currently enables 20,000 disabled people in the UK to live independent lives in the community.
But away from the successes spiraling living costs, and cuts to welfare and local care are leaving many disabled people in a critical situation.
Recent research by Scope found that disabled people are three times as likely to draw on doorsteps loans than the general population.
On ITV Daybreak this morning, Scope's chief executive Richard Hawkes warned of a crisis in living standards facing many disabled people, with 1 in 3 older and disabled care users getting in to debt to pay for essential support to get up, get dressed, and get out of the house. Ahead of the Government's Autumn Statement on Thursday, Scope are calling on Chancellor George Osborne to improve the standard of living for disabled people.
Comedian Francesca Martinez was interviewed by ITV Daybreak sofa this morning, explaining her support for a campaign calling on the Government to find out the total impact of all welfare cuts on disabled people. The WOW Petition has now been backed by over 100,000 people - which will enable it to trigger a debate in Parliament.
Francesca Martinez, who has cerebral palsy, has used comedy to challenge attitudes towards disabled people, and to fight for a fairer system. She believes that humour can be used to break down barriers.
Share your examples of people breaking barriers and opening doors this year - in the comments below, on Twitter or on Facebook.
Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
Published and promoted by Barrie Taylor on behalf of High Peak Liberal Democrats all at Daleside, Linglongs Road,, Whaley Bridge SK23 7DS and by Richard Salmon, Derbyshire Liberal Democrats on behalf of Stan Heptinstall (Liberal Democrats) both at 9 Walnut Road, Belper DE56 1RG.
The views expressed are those of the publisher, not of the service provider.
Website designed and developed by Prater Raines Ltd, with modifications by High Peak Liberal Democrats