The City of St. John’s will join communities around the world in marking International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) on Wednesday, December 3, recognizing the contributions of people with disabilities and promoting inclusion across our city.

Observed annually on December 3, IDPD is a United Nations Day that raises awareness of the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities in all aspects of political, social, economic, and cultural life. This year’s global theme is “Fostering disability inclusive societies for advancing social progress.”

Learn more about how the City will be celebrating IDPD below!

Free Therapeutic Swim on December 3

To mark the day, the City will offer a free therapeutic swim at the H.G.R. Mews Community Centre on Wednesday, December 3, from 2:00 to 2:50 p.m.

This is a reduced-capacity swim designed for adults with disabilities and their caregivers. The session offers a calmer environment to support comfort, accessibility, and enjoyment.

New Sensory Swim Coming in January

The City is also pleased to announce that it will offer a new sensory swim for individuals who enjoy and benefit from a quieter, less busy environment.

Starting January 11, 2026, the Sensory Swim will take place from 9 to 9:50 a.m. on Sundays at the H.G.R. Mews Community Centre Pool.

Standard swim admissions and age restrictions will apply.

Swimmers can expect:

• Lower noise levels and no background music
• Fewer swimmers and more space to move comfortably
• Water features turned off
• Whistles used only in an emergency

These changes are designed to create a more predictable, low-sensory environment for swimmers who may find typical pool settings overwhelming.

Proclamation & Lighting of City Hall

As a visual show of support, City Hall will be illuminated in purple on December 3. Purple is recognized worldwide as a symbol of disability inclusion, dignity, and unity, reflecting the City’s commitment to breaking down barriers and promoting equal participation for all residents. We encourage all residents to wear purple to show your support.

At the December 2 Council meeting, the City will also formally proclaim December 3 as International Day of Persons with Disabilities in St. John’s, reaffirming its support for accessibility, inclusion, and the rights of persons with disabilities.