Disabled protesters demand end to cuts

The cycle started on Sunday with a big rally of people with disabilities in Madrid, where more than 10,000 people, many in wheelchairs or being led by guide dogs, marched under the slogan: "SOS Disability: Save our Rights, Inclusion and Welfare."

The protest focused on government austerity measures affecting disabled people by reducing services, closing disability centres and forcing care workers from their jobs.

In crisis-hit Greece, thousands took part in a rally in Thessaloniki today.

Greek campaigners say recent austerity cuts have left many disabled people struggling to receive proper care and state support.

Their banner said: "Handicapped people's struggles relate to us all. You walk with us."

In North Korea, disabled schoolchildren sang at a performance in the Mangyongdae Schoolchildren's Palace in Pyongyang, while across the Indian subcontinent events in towns and cities marked the day with rallies and demonstrations.

And in Nepal, disabled people gathered to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilise support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities.

In Ireland, about 2,000 protesters marched to the gates of the Dail to show the government a red card ahead of the 2013 budget.

Members of the Disability Rights Coalition said they are demanding rights, not charity, and called on politicians to maintain social welfare rates.

Spokeswoman Siobhan Kane said: "Everybody talks about the big announcements on budget day, but for people with disabilities it is a gradual drip feed.

"Day by day and week by week, they are told a support or service is being taken away."

There are 600,000 people with disabilities across Ireland - 13 per cent of the population - but the disability sector has already suffered budget cuts of 13.7 per cent since 2008.