Dozens of people came out to show support for disabled people during an event marking the United Nations International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

Health Minister, Walter Roban opened Thursday's event with a statement celebrating the diverse range of people with disabilities and a message of tolerance and education.

"We as a community need to be empowered," he said. "This empowerment starts with the recognition and acceptance that a person with a disability is no more or less different than we so called 'normal' people. The truth is nothing is really normal. It is just a perception or acceptance of a condition."

Mr. Roban also emphasised the importance of putting the person before the disability and using "people first language".

He used the example of a person suffering from cancer and said: "Are you cancerous or do you have cancer?"

Representatives from various special needs schools including the Opportunity Workshop, Orange Valley School and The Dame Marjorie Bean Hope Academy described the role of their organisations before a performance by Windreach Music Enrichment Programme.

Windreach Director, Lance Furbert and a representative from the Bermuda Autism Support and Education Society also described the programmes and activities that their organisations facilitate.

The event was closed with another rousing percussion performance by the Windreach Music Enrichment Programme.

Larry Whitter, a para-educator at the Dame Marjorie Bean Hope Academy saw the day as a success.

"It's really rewarding to have an event like this that recognises and celebrates the special needs community," he said.