In every country of our world, people and governments are recognizing the importance and value of Early Intervention in children 0-3 with special needs. .
The mission of Early Intervention is to ensure that families who have children ages birth to three, with diagnosed disabilities, developmental delays or substantial risk of significant delays receive resources and supports that assist them in maximizing their child's development while at the same time respecting the family and cultural diversity.
While the cost of supporting these programs falls primarily on governments, without these programs our most vulnerable children around the world will become wards of the states rather than productive, contributors to their societies, to the world.
The Adoption of World Early Intervention Day will enable the prioritization of Early Intervention throughout the world, will foster education and awareness of the role of Early Intervention, will initiate programs in Early Intervention in countries that lack this priority, and act as a reminder to both governments and people of their commitment to not only the needs of our most vulnerable members of society, children 0-3 who have special needs, but to the future of society worldwide.
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We the undersigned, hereby petition for the adoption of the forthcoming draft resolution for World Early Intervention Day to become a United Nations Observance Day, to be observed on May 16th each year, effective from 2012.
We believe that this annual observance will raise awareness and understanding of the necessity for the maintenance or creation of a meaningful program of Early Intervention throughout the world which will allow our most vulnerable children, ages 0-3 with special needs, to receive the necessary services of special education, speech-language pathology, physical and occupational therapies, vision therapy, and nutrition at a time when their brain can integrate the most changes.
We believe that World Early Intervention Day will allow each child in need worldwide to gain access to much needed care and services, each family to feel supported as they assist their child in achieving his/her potential.
The statistics for children with special needs aged 0-3 vary widely worldwide but can be close to 10% or greater in some countries. The UN has demonstrated their commitment to children through their emphasis on "For Every Child, Health, Education, Quality, Protection" in the advancing of humanity, and in their UNICEF Rights of the Child, they indicate that Governments are obliged to takes steps...and to assist families to create an environment where they can grow and reach their potential." In keeping with their enduring support of the child, and their enduring support of adults with disabiities, we encourage the United Nations to support our petition for World Early Intervention Day so that the special needs of children of the world with diagnosed disabilities and/or developmental delays aged 0-3 can be maximized through the existence, awareness, and utilization of Early Intervention.
We urge the United Nations to call on your Member States relevant organizations of the United Nations system and other international organizations, as well as civil society, including non-governmental organizations and the private sector, to observe World Early Intervention Day on May 16th each year from 2012.
