What is IDOA?

The International Day of Acceptance, celebrated every January 20th, is a day dedicated to social acceptance of disability and to honor the late Annie Hopkins, founder of 3E Love and creator of the International Symbol of Acceptance.

Meet Our Late Founder Annie

Annie Hopkins (1984-2009) was advocate, entrepreneur, artist, and student, whose vibrant spirit is 3E Love's guiding light. Her life was a beautiful demonstration on what is possible when you love life. 

"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 Our 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 by demonstrating acceptance and showing the world that you embrace people of all abilities. Embrace. Educate. Empower. Love Life.

Post a #DayOfAcceptance photo and tell your friends what acceptance means to you.

Acceptance Stories

"I hope that one day others will see the job that my daughter's smile brings me each day. That others won't stare or feel sorry for us. That others will understand that parking in an accessible space is something I would give anything for my daughter not to need - not something they should envy because it is closer to the door. Acceptance means that 'Yes, my journey is hard and challenging but every minute of every day I love my daughter profoundly and no differently than my other children!'" 

Angie

"I celebrate acceptance for my students. My students have cognitive impairments that affect their learning and daily living skills. People look at them and think about all they CANNOT do when in fact they CAN do so much! Acceptance is knowing ALL people can do what they want to do; they might just take a different road to get there!" 

Ashley

"I'm so incredibly blessed to have people in my life who love & accept me wholeheartedly. God only knows where I'd be without them, especially my mom. Living life with a disability is not easy & I wouldn't wish it on anyone. There are days I struggle to even accept myself. My hope is for all disabilities to be accepted. My disability does not define who I am. And I refuse to let it." 

Kayla