What is IDOA?
The International Day of Acceptance, which is celebrated every January 20th, is a day dedicated to social acceptance of disability and to honour the late Annie Hopkins, who founded 3E Love and was the creator of the International Symbol of Acceptance.
Annie passed away on January 20, 2009, from unexpected complications to a simple medical procedure. Instead of mourning the loss of his sister, her brother Stevie kept her ideas alive by celebrating her death anniversary as International Day of Acceptance. January 20 is a day that celebrates Annie’s life, her ideas and the 3E Love movement. Her ‘Wheelchair Heart’ has become a symbol of love, strength and hope internationally.
Meet Annie
Annie Hopkins (1984-2009) was an advocate, entrepreneur, artist, and student, whose spirit is 3E Love’s guiding light. Her life was a beautiful demonstration on what is possible when you love life to the fullest.
“3E Love is more than living disabled but is simply about living. Everyone has the freedom to live their life. We challenge you to do what you love because you’ll meet some amazing people along the way, and that, our friends, is how you’ll enjoy this ride that 3E Love calls life. Embrace diversity. Educate your community. Empower each other. Love life.”
Join The Movement
Acceptance is created from an Empowered movement that Educates others to Embrace diversity and Love Life by seeing beyond abilities. Tell the world you embrace who you are, a person with social rights who has opinions, interests, goals, and loves life. You are a person who is empowered to make a difference in the world and will not be without a voice in society. You are not living disabled; you are living. Tell the world that you are accepting of people with disabilities. As our parents, siblings, relatives, spouses, children, lovers, coworkers, teachers, personal assistants, friends, and anyone else, you also have a role in our culture and life. You can start the change in your community by demonstrating acceptance and showing the world that you embrace people of all abilities. Embrace. Educate. Empower. Love Life.
To support the cause and spread acceptance post a #DayOfAcceptance photo and tell your friends what acceptance means to you.
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