Thirteen pianists with disabilities from seven countries held a concert Monday at the United Nations to coincide with the annual observance of the International Day of Disabled Persons.
The performers from Japan, Malaysia, France, South Korea, the United States, Spain and Portugal ranged in age from elementary school students to adults and played selections from standard classics to popular hits.
In the program titled "Unheard Notes," they gave a two-hour performance as part of efforts to raise global awareness about disability issues ahead of a Carnegie Hall performance slated for Wednesday.
"I believe respecting their inherent dignity, independence and inclusion in society, protecting them from discrimination and accepting and embracing their differences should be a standard for all member states of the United Nations and indeed for all mankind," said Jiro Kodera, a Japanese diplomat, in remarks introducing the concert.