Thursday, March 19 2009
Recognising the enormous loss to society if people with disabilities are unable to fulfil their potential and fully participate in their communities, laws around the world are changing to promote Access and Inclusion.
After seven years of drafting, and based on empirical research in the area of social development, the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilites came into force on 3 May 2008.
The 8 guiding principles that underlie the Convention are:
- Inherent dignity
- Non-discrimination
- Full and effective participation and inclusion in society
- Respect for difference and acceptance of persons with disabilities as part of human diversity and humanity
- Equality of opportunity
- Accessibility
- Equality between men and women
- Respect for the evolving capacities of children with disabilities and respect for the right of children with disabilities to preserve their identities
42 countries have so far ratified the convention, pledging to ensure local laws grant people with disabilities the same rights to access and be included in society as people without disability. Sounds like a good idea, deosn't it? Amazing it took so long! Has your country signed up? click here.
