Information on Disability at International Level
The list below aims to facilitate information on disability related issues, so that organizations, governments and individuals have access to tools that can promote inclusion in their countries.
Although our main concern is helping developing countries to be more inclusive of persons with disability, we chose to provide information in English because it is a more widely spoken language. In any case, you can use the box on the upper right side of the page to choose in which language you would like to access the information.
Patricia Almeida – Editor
![Open Quotes](http://www.worldbank.org/etc/designs/wbg/images/open-quotes.png)
Today, one billion people globally live with some form of disability, and disability prevalence is higher for developing countries. The social exclusion of persons with disabilities is unacceptable in the face of economic and social progress witnessed around the globe.
![](http://www.worldbank.org/content/dam/Worldbank/Experts/expert%20images/Maninder_Gill.jpg/jcr:content/renditions/original)
Director, Social, Urban, Rural, and Resilience Global Practice, The World Bank (3/12/2014)
Disability and the UN
Convention
Ratifications/Accessions: 151
Signatories*: 159
Optional Protocol
Ratification/Accessions: 85
Signatories*: 92
(* Signatories include countries or regional integration organizations that have signed the Convention and its Optional Protocol)
New York
69th session, 2014 – 2015
Resolutions
- Realizing the Millennium Development Goals and other internationally agreed development goals for persons with disabilities towards 2015 and beyond (Adopted by GA Plenary on 18 December 2014 as A/RES/69/142. Advanced unedited text, final official version forthcoming)
Reports:
- Report of the Secretary-General: Realization of the Millennium Development Goals and other internationally agreed development goals for persons with disabilities: a disability-inclusive development agenda towards 2015 and beyond (A/69/187)
Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, Spanish
- Report of the Secretary-General: Status of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Optional Protocol thereto (A/69/284)
Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, Spanish
68th session, 2013 – 2014
Resolutions:
- Outcome document of the high-level meeting of the General Assembly on the realization of the Millennium Development Goals and other internationally agreed development goals for persons with disabilities: the way forward, a disability-inclusive development agenda towards 2015 and beyond (A/RES/68/3)
- Assistance in mine action (A/RES/68/72, OP. 10)
Reports:
- Report of the Secretary-General: The way forward: a disability-inclusive development agenda
towards 2015 and beyond (A/68/95)
67th session, 2012 – 2013
Resolutions:
- Status of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Optional Protocol thereto (A/RES/67/160)
- Realizing the Millennium Development Goals and other internationally agreed development goals for persons with disabilities towards 2015 and beyond (A/RES/67/140)
- Addressing Socio-Economic Needs of Individuals, Families and Societies Affected by Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), Developmental Disorders (DD) and associated disabilities(A/RES/67/82).
Reports:
- Status of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Optional Protocol thereto (A/67/281)
- Report of the Secretary-General: Realization of the Millennium Development Goals and internationally agreed development goals for persons with disabilities: a disability-inclusive development agenda towards 2015 and beyond (A/67/211)
66th session, 2011 – 2012
Resolutions:
- Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Optional Protocol thereto (A/RES/66/229)
- High-level Meeting on Realization of the Millennium Development Goals and Other Internationally Agreed Development Goals for Persons with Disabilities (A/RES/66/124)
- World Down Syndrome Day (A/RES/66/149)
Reports:
- Status of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Optional Protocol thereto (A/66/121)
- Report of the Secretary-General: Realization of the Millennium Development Goals and other internationally agreed development goals for persons with disabilities (A/66/128)
65th session, 2010 – 2011
Reports:
Resolutions:
Commission for Social Development
2015 – 53rd session
- Report of the Special Rapporteur on Disability of the Commission for Social Development: Monitoring of the implementation of the Standard Rules on the Equalization of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities ( E/CN.5/2015/5)
Français | Español | Русский | عربي | 汉语
2014 – 52nd session
Resolution
- Promoting the rights of persons with disabilities and mainstreaming disability in the post-2015 development agenda
(E/RES/2014/6) Français | Español | Русский | عربي | 汉语
Reports
- Report of the Secretary General on Mainstreaming disability in the development agenda towards 2015 and beyond (E/CN.5/2014/6)
- Report of the Special Rapporteur on Disability of the Commission for Social Development: Monitoring of the implementation of the Standard Rules on the Equalization of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities ( E/CN.5/2014/7)
2013 – 51st session
Special Rapporteur on Disability
Mr. Shuaib Chalklen (Statement)
Panel discussion
Toward a disability-inclusive post-2015 development framework: Regional perspectives (12 February, Conference Room 4, 1.15 to 2.30 p.m..
Resolution:
Reports
- Report of the Secretary General on Mainstreaming Disability in the Development Agenda(E/CN.5/2013/9)
- Report of the Special Rapporteur to the 51st Session of the Commission for Social Development: Note by the Secretary-General on monitoring of the implementation of the Standard Rules on the Equalization of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities(E/CN.5/2013/10)
Media
Experts speak to South-South News during the Commission; watch video:http://tinyurl.com/cfqrb2u
2012 – 50th session
Resolution:
Reports
- Report of the Secretary General on Mainstreaming Disability in the Development Agenda(E/CN.5/2012/6)
- Report of the Special Rapporteur to the 50th Session of the Commission for Social Development: Note by the Secretary-General on monitoring of the implementation of the Standard Rules on the Equalization of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities(E/CN.5/2012/7)
Panel Discussion
Inclusion of Disability in Development Policy and Programming
2011 – 49 session
Resolution
Report
Panel Discussion
2010 – 48 session
Resolution
Report
Other documentation
Secretary General
Special Envoy on Disability and Accessibility – Lenín Voltaire Moreno Garces of Ecuador
http://www.un.org/press/en/2013/sga1446.doc.htm
Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA)
Geneva
The Human Rights Council adopted a resolution on “Rights of persons with disabilities: participation in political and public life” without a vote on 22 March 2012.
Read the draft resolution in word format.
Read the adopted resolution in pdf format.
- The Human Rights Council held its fifth interactive debate on the rights of persons with disabilities
- Fourth annual Interactive Debate of the Human Rights Council on participation of persons with disabilities in political and public life.
- Third annual Interactive Debate of the Human Rights Council on ‘International cooperation in support of national efforts for the realization of the purposes and objectives of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
- OHCHR Thematic study on the role of international cooperation in support of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
- Second Interactive Debate on the structure and role of national mechanisms for the implementation and monitoring of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
- First annual Interactive Debate of the Human Rights Council on key legal measures for ratification and implementation of the CRPD (6 March 2009)
- The Human Rights Council adopted a resolution on the “Human Rights of Persons with Disabilities” without a vote on 27 March 2008
- Special Event on the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, 4th Session of the Human Rights Council (March 2007)
Mandate:
Last week, during the fifty-third session of the Commission for Social Development, I presented the areas of interest and priority issues of my mandate in relation to disability and development: post-2015 development agenda; social protection; data collection and statistics; and situations of risk and humanitarian emergencies.
Concluding its fifty-third session, the Commission for Social Development approved by consensus a draft resolution on promoting the rights of persons with disabilities (document E/CN.5/2015/L.5): http://goo.gl/x1cIjd
More information:
Video: http://goo.gl/ycS9Kj
Statement: http://goo.gl/sIyrc5
Press release: http://goo.gl/CFq15t
For information on the Commission for Social Development:http://goo.gl/AyJVHu
Sendai WCDRR will be disability-inclusive
http://www.unisdr.org/archive/40491
Data collection; Water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH); Gender; ECDTake Us Seriously– Engaging Children with Disabilities in Decisions Affecting their Lives:[PDF] [Easy to Read PDF] [ebook] [HTML – zip file ] [Daisy – zip file]Spanish [PDF] French [PDF]UNICEF Guidelines for Disability Situation Analyses – GuidanceFactsheet on Children With Disabilities – 2013Spanish [PDF] French [PDF]Innocenti Digest No. 13: Promoting the Rights of Children with Disabilities – 2007 The Innocenti Digest on Promoting the Rights of Children with Disabilities attempts to provide a global perspective on the situation of the some 200 million children with disabilities. The Digest is based on reports from countries across regions and from a wide range of sources.Monitoring Child Disability in Developing Countries– Results from the Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys – 2008Despite the global interest in child disability, relatively little is known about the situation of children with disabilities, particularly in developing countries. As a first step toward addressing this paucity of information, UNICEF recommended inclusion of a disability module, the Ten Questions screen for child disability, in its Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS).Guidance for Establishing a National Partnership on Children with Disabilities (NPcwd) 013HIV and AIDS and Disability – Towards an AIDS-Free Generation: Promoting Community- Based Strategies for and with Children with DisabilitiesThe Right of Children with Disabilities to Education: A Rights-Based Approach to Inclusive EducationEarly Childhood development and Disability. A discussion paper. UNICEF and WHO – 2012It’s About Ability, An explanation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, UNICEF, 2008 This publication explains the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities to children. It’s main purpose is to empower children, with and without disabilities, to play their part in challenging discrimination and promoting the Convention’s principles.Disability Prevention Efforts and Disability Rights: Finding Common Ground on Immunization Efforts – UNICEF Working Paper developed with support from Leonard Cheshire Disability and Inclusive Development Centre, University College London
![](http://www.who.int/entity/disabilities/infographic_en_rev1_510.jpg)
Let’s communicate: a handbook for people working with children with communication difficulties (1997)
http://www.who.int/disabilities/publications/care/en/
Guidelines for training personnel in developing countries for prosthetic and orthotic services (2005)
http://whqlibdoc.who.int/publications/2005/9241592672.pdf?ua=1
Guidelines on the provision of manual wheelchairs in less-resourced settings – 2008
http://www.who.int/disabilities/publications/technology/wheelchairguidelines/en/
Wheelchair Service Training Package – Basic level – 2012
http://www.who.int/disabilities/technology/wheelchairpackage/en/
Guidelines on community-based rehabilitation (CBR) – 2010
http://www.who.int/disabilities/cbr/guidelines/en/
Disability and emergency risk management for health guidance Note – 2013
http://www.who.int/hac/techguidance/preparedness/disability/en/
Eliminating forced, coercive and otherwise involuntary sterilization Statement – 2014
http://www.who.int/reproductivehealth/publications/gender_rights/eliminating-forced-sterilization/en/
UN Awareness
International Days
International Day of Persons with Disabilities (3/12)
http://www.un.org/disabilities/default.asp?id=111
World Down Syndrome Day (21/3)
http://www.un.org/en/events/downsyndromeday/
World Autism Awareness Day – (2/4)
http://www.un.org/en/events/autismday/
Thematic
International Day for Disaster Reduction – 2013 (13/10)
Living with Disabilities and Disasters
http://www.unisdr.org/2013/iddr/#.VL_HZyyoOmc
World Telecommunication and Information Society Day – 2008 (17/5)
Connecting Persons with Disabilities – ICT Opportunities for All
http://www.itu.int/en/wtisd/2015/Pages/default.aspx
International Day of Families – 2007 (15/5)
Families with Disabilities
http://undesadspd.org/Family/InternationalObservances/InternationalDayofFamilies/2007.aspx
Trust Fund
UN Partnership to promote the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Multi-Donor Trust Fund (UNPRPD MDTF)
http://mptf.undp.org/factsheet/fund/RPD00
UN NEWS
ACTION
CALLS
Civil Society Reactions to the UN Secretary-General’s Synthesis Report on the Post-2015 Development Agenda
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1U97gmcy-KGsu66-lVi1cHU7R-C_B4y6u0AbFtua2zE4/viewform
World Bank – Disability and Development
http://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/disability
Publications
Disability and poverty in developing countries : a snapshot from the world health survey (English) – 2011
Improving accessibility to transport for People with Limited Mobility (PLM) : a practical guidance note (English) – 2013
Data on disability
Global Disability Rights Library
http://www.widernet.org/egranary/gdrl
Grants, Prizes and Awards
UK
National Learning Disabilities Award
http://www.nationalldawards.co.uk/
Two Ticks Positive about disability – Awarded by Jobcentre Plus to employers who have made commitments to employ, keep and develop the abilities of disabled staff.
http://www.pluss.org.uk/2-ticks-positive-about-disability-symbol
Stelios Award for disabled entrepreneurs
US
Distinguished Contributions to the Advancement of Disability Issues in Psychology Award
Barrier-Free America Award by Paralyzed Veterans of America
http://www.pva.org/site/c.ajIRK9NJLcJ2E/b.6305457/k.49C6/BarrierFree_America_Award.htm
Paul G. Hearne Award for Disability Rights by the American Bar Association
InterAction Disability Inclusion Award
http://www.interaction.org/disability-inclusion-award
Georgia Disability Sports Award by Blazesports
http://www.blazesports.org/getinvolved/2014-georgia-disability-sports-awards/
News on disability (Possible Partners)
Disability Scoop – US – Developmental Disability News – http://www.disabilityscoop.
Learning Disability Today – http://www.
International Organizations
Organizations that are part of IDA
IDA currently comprises eight global and four regional organizations of persons with disabilities (DPOs):
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Disabled People’s International (DPI) is a network of national organizations or assemblies of disabled people, established to promote human rights of disabled people through full participation, equalization of opportunities and development.
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Down Syndrome International (DSI) is the international organisation promoting the rights of persons with Down syndrome.
DSI video presentation -
Inclusion International (II) is a grassroots organization of persons with an intellectual disability and their families which advocates with its member societies in over 115 countries for the inclusion of people who have an intellectual disability in all aspects of their communities, based on shared values of respect, diversity, human rights, solidarity and inclusion.
II video presentation
Inclusion International held the International Forum – Achieving Inclusion Around the World on 25-28 October 2012. More information on this event. -
International Federation of Hard of Hearing People (IFHOH) is an international non-governmental organization of national associations of and for hard of hearing and late deafened people. IFHOH provides a platform for co-operation and information exchange among its members and interested parties. As an umbrella organization and through its individual organizations, IFHOH works to promote greater understanding of hearing loss issues and to improve access for hard of hearing people worldwide. Established in 1977 as a registered non-profit organization, IFHOH currently has 47 general and associate members in 30 countries.
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The World Blind Union (WBU) is the sole voice speaking on behalf of approximately 160 million blind and partially sighted persons in 178 individual member countries, representing approximately 600 organizations. The WBU advocates for human rights of persons who are blind and partially sighted and seeks to strengthen their organisations and advance the participation of all persons who are blind and partially sighted including women and youth.
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The World Federation of the Deaf (WFD) is the international non-governmental organization representing Deaf people worldwide. A non-profit organization, WFD works for human rights and equal opportunities for Deaf people everywhere. WDF World Congress Resolution (July 2011)
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The World Federation of the DeafBlind (WFDB) is a non-profit, representative organization of national organizations or groups of deafblind persons and of deafblind individuals worldwide. The aim of WFDB is to be a forum of exchange of knowledge and experiences amongst deafblind persons and to obtain inclusion and full participation of deafblind persons in all areas of society.
WFDB video presentation -
The World Network of Users and Survivors of Psychiatry (WNUSP)is a democratic organization of users and survivors of psychiatry that represents this constituency at the global level. In its Statutes, “users and survivors of psychiatry” are self-defined as people who have experienced madness and/or mental health problems, or who have used or survived mental health services. Founded in 1991, WNUSP currently has members in over 50 countries, spanning every region of the world.
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Arab Organization of Persons with Disabilities (AOPD) is an independent non-profit organization founded in 1998 in Cairo, Egypt. It is a regional organization composed of DPOs operating in the different Arab Countries. AOPD’s main objectives are to promote the rights of people with disabilities, to empower people with disabilities and to represent Arab people with disabilities in the world at large.
AOPD video presentation -
European Disability Forum (EDF) is an independent European non-governmental organization (ENGO) that represents the interests of 50 million disabled people in the European Union and stands for their rights. It was created in 1996 and is based in Brussels.
EDF video presentation -
The Latin American Network of Non-Governmental Organizations of Persons With Disabilities and their Families (RIADIS) is a network formed by organizations of persons with disabilities from 19 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. Formed in 2002, RIADIS represents more than 60 national organizations as well as several NGOs acting as technical collaborators.
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Pacific Disability Forum (PDF) is the Regional Response to addressing disability issues in the Pacific. The PDF was established in 2002 and officially inaugurated in 2004, to work towards inclusive, barrier-free, socially just, and gender equitable societies that recognize the human rights, citizenship, contribution and potential of persons with disabilities in Pacific Island Countries and territories.
IDA’s Position papers and Statements
CRPD in general:
- In 2008, IDA produced a position paper which sets out, among others, the superseding nature of the CRPD.
- September 2008: IDA prepared a very detailed contribution to the OHCHR thematic study on legal measures for the implementation of the CRPD.
- September 2009: IDA presented a number of concrete proposals at the second Conference of States Parties to the CRPD, including the creation of an UN Fund to promote the CRPD.
Understanding The UN Convention On The Rights Of Persons With Disabilities: a Handbook on the Human Rights of Persons with disabilities, September 2009. (Author: Marianne Schulze. Edited by: Handicap International).
National implementation and monitoring of the CRPD (Article 33):
- September 2009: IDA submitted a contribution to the OHCHR on national implementation and monitoring of the CRPD with special attention to article 33 of the CRPD.
- Human Rights Council 13th Session (March 2010): IDA made a statement on national implementation and monitoring frameworks of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. English and Spanish.
Non Discrimination:
IDA Statement on Non Discrimination (January 2013)
Article 12 on Legal Capacity:
- In 2008, the Legal Capacity Task Force undertook an innovative effort to recognize the aspirations of people with disabilities in decision making. To learn more about the IDA’s work in implementing Article 12 on Legal Capacity, please download the Principles of Implementation.
- Legal opinion on Article 12 signed by more than 30 distinguished international legal experts.
- IDA has submitted in June 2010 a document on the functional capacity to the CRPD Committee: English / Spanish.
Mental Health:
- IDA, in co-operation with some of its member organisations, has submitted a document in October 2009 on recommendations for monitoring of psychiatric institutions.
- October 2010: WNUSP-IDA paper in response to the document recently released by the WHO: Mental health and development: targeting people with mental health conditions as a vulnerable group.
- For the thematic discussion held by the Sub-Committee for the Prevention of Torture (February 2012) on mental health and places of deprivation of liberty, a paper was prepared by the World Network of Users and Survivors of Psychiatry and endorsed by IDA.
International Cooperation:
- November 2009: IDA contributed to the consultation undertaken by the OHCHR following Human Rights Council Resolution 10/6 on Enhancement of international cooperation in the field of human rights. IDA contribution.
- October 2010: IDA submitted a contribution to the OHCHR thematic study on article 32 of the CRPD, International Cooperation.
United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF):
Education:
- Human Rights Council 17th Session (June 2011): IDA made a statement on education.
- July 2011: IDA elaborated a position paper on education as part of efforts to ensure inclusion persons with disabilities in the Annual Ministerial Review of ECOSOC focused on education, 4-8 July 2011.
- Contribution to 2013 OHCHR thematic study on the right of persons with disabilities to education. IDA Contribution_2013
Implementing Inclusive Education (A Commomwealth Guide to Implementing Article 24 of the CRPD, second edition) by Richard Rieser. Inclusive Education_PDF or Inclusive Education_Word
Work and Employment:
- September 2012: IDA´s contribution to the consultation undertaken by OHCHR, following Human Rights Council Resolution 19/11, on the work and employment of persons with disabilities.
Participation in Political and Public Life:
- October 2011: IDA submitted a contribution to the OHCHR thematic study on article 29 of the CRPD, participation of persons with disabilities in political and public life.
Women and Girls with Disabilities:
- Human Rights Council 18th Session (Sept 2011): IDA made a statement on the rights of older women.
- IDA submission for the CEDAW Committee´s General Discussion on women in armed conflict and post-conflict situations (July 2011).
- IDA submission for the half day of general discussion of the CRPD Committee on women and girls with disabilities (April 2013)
- IDA submission on indigenous women and girls with disabilities (April 2013)
Standard Interpretation of the CRPD from a female perspective (Prepared by Dr. Sigrid Arnade and Sabine Haefner).
Women With Disabilities Australia (WWDA), July 2011 Policy Paper: ‘Assessing the situation of women with disabilities in Australia: A human rights approach’.
Violence Against Women with Disabilities:
- Human Rights Council 14th Session (June 2010): IDA made a statement on violence against women: IDA written statement (English); and IDA oral statement (English or Spanish).
- Human Rights Council 17th Session (June 2011): IDA made a statement on violence against women/freedom of expression.
INWWD: Document on Violence against Women with Disabilities: English, French, Spanish, Albanian and Chinese
Children with Disabilities:
- Human Rights Council 13rd Session (March 2010). IDA made an oral statement on the institutionalization of children: a root cause of violence against children.
- IDA Submission on the right of the child to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health.
- IDA Submission on Child Rights and Business.
- IDA submission to the CRC Committee’s DGD on the rights of all children in the context of international migration.
Liberty and Security:
- Joint WNUSP, II, DSI & IDA submission to the Human RIghts Committee for their half DGD on the right to liberty and security.
Access to Justice:
- IDA submission to the CEDAW Committee’s General Discussion on access to justice, 54h session, February 2013
Right to Sexual and Reproductive Health:
- Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (CESCR): Day of General Discussion 2010: IDA Submission on the right to sexual and reproductive health.
Harmful Practices:
- In response to a call out for papers by the CRC and CEDAW Committees which are elaborating a General Comment/Recommendation on harmful practices, IDA made a submission highlighting the harmful practices targeted at persons with disabilities, and in particular women and girls with disabilities. IDA Submission on harmful practices.
- IDA participated in formulating a briefing paper which was jointly presented by Women With Disabilities Australia (WWDA), Human rights Watch (HRW), the Open Society Foundations as part of the Global Campaign to Stop Torture in Health Care. The paper gives a background to the issue of forced sterilisation, outlines various international human rights standards that prohibit forced sterilisation, and offers several recommendations for improving laws, policies, and professional guidelines governing sterilisation practices. Sterilisation Disability Briefing Paper.
Amicus Curiae briefs to the European Court of Human Rights:
- HP v Denmark: On 20 January 2014, together with the European Disability Forum, IDA submitted joint written comments to the European Court of Human Rights in the case of HP v Denmark (Application no 55607/09). This case concerns a victim of torture from Iran who was granted refugee status in Denmark where he has been living for over twenty years. Due to the effects of being tortured, he has memory loss and difficulties in communicating and applied for an exemption regarding language requirements to obtain Danish nationality. While the regulations governing naturalisation permitted the granting of an exemption for the language requirement “where the person in question… proved unable to learn Danish to a sufficient degree due to mental disorder, for example as a result of torture”, the Applicant’s exemption request was refused. As a result of the refusal, he was denied citizenship and complains that his continued statelessness breaches his right to private life and constitutes disability based discrimination in violation of Articles 8 and 14 of the European Convention of Human Rights. HP v Denmark joint written comments
- Guberina v Croatia: On 20 December 2013, together with the European Disability Forum and the Croatian Union of Associations of Persons with Disabilities, IDA submitted joint written comments to the European Court of Human Rights in the case of Guberina v Croatia (Application no 23682/13). This case concerns a family with a child with multiple disabilities which bought a house owing to the inaccessibility of their former fiat (no lift) and the increasing difficulty in transporting their growing child. The law foresaw tax exemptions for buying property which met “hygiene and technical housing needs” but did not take into account accessibility needs related to persons with disabilities. Applying the letter of the law, the Croatian authorities refused to grant tax exemptions and subsequently dismissed the applicant’s appeals without addressing the issue of the child’s disability and related housing needs. The Applicant claimed violations of Article 1 of Protocol no 1 (right to property) as well as Article 1 of Protocol no 12 (general non-discrimination clause) of the European Convention on Human Rights. Guberina v Croatia joint written comments
- Stankov v Bulgaria: On March 2013, together with the European Disability Forum, European Network of (ex-) Users and Survivors of Psychiatry and the World Network of Users and Survivors of Psychiatry, IDA submitted joint written comments to the European Court of Human Rights in the case of Stankov v Bulgaria (Application no 25820/07) brought by a man with psychosocial disabilities who was deprived of his legal capacity, forcibly placed in successive social care institutions and subjected to ill-treatment on account of the poor living conditions and physical violence. The rights invoked are freedom from torture & ill treatment, right to liberty, access to justice, right to private life, and right to an effective remedy. Stankov v Bulgaria joint written comments
- Koroviny v Russia: On March 2013, together with the European Disability Forum, European Network of (ex-) Users and Survivors of Psychiatry and the World Network of Users and Survivors of Psychiatry, IDA submitted joint written comments to the European Court of Human Rights in the case of Koroviny v Russia (Application no 31974/11) brought by a man who was arrested for a crime and detained for compulsory psychiatric treatment, the order for which was renewed on several occasions by a court following the finding that the applicant could not be held criminally responsible as it was deemed he was “mentally incapacitated”. He complains of the unlawfulness of his detention, ill-treatment including by being subjected to restraints, unfair trial, and violation of his right to private life covering censorship of his correspondence. Koroviny v Russia joint written comments
- Semikhvostov v Russia: On 31 January 2013, together with the European Disability Forum, IDA submitted joint written comments to the European Court of Human Rights in the case of Semikhvostov v Russia (Application no 2689/12) brought by a wheel chair user prisoner who was subjected to inhuman and degrading treatment due to conditions in prison and the denial of reasonable accommodation, claiming violations of Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights. Semikhvostov v Russia joint written comments.
On 6 February 2014, the judgment in Semikhvostov v Russia (Application no 2689/12) was rendered public in which the Court concluded a violation of Article 3 on account of the inhuman and degrading conditions of the applicant’s detention, as well as a violation of Article 13 of the Convention due to the absence of an effective domestic remedy with which to raise claims of inadequate conditions of detention. In coming to this judgment, the Court referred to EDF & IDA’s amicus brief (a summary of which it cited over two pages of the judgment), and highlighted the failure to provide reasonable accommodation to the applicant as a central issue resulting in inhuman and degrading conditions.
This builds on the Court’s caselaw, notably:
– ZH v Hungary (November 2012) in which the failure of the State to take “reasonable steps” to address the applicant’s condition (in this case, obtaining appropriate assistance for the applicant’s communication needs), resulted in a violation of his right to liberty.
– DG v Poland (February 2013) in which EDF & IDA, together with the Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights, had submitted a third party intervention which resulted in the first of the Court’s judgments which referred to the need for efforts to “reasonably accommodate” the special needs of the applicant which reached the threshold of severity and constituted degrading and inhuman treatment contrary to Article 3 of the ECHR.
In the present judgment, the Court appropriates the term and concept of reasonable accommodation as a central element to its finding of inhuman and degrading treatment:
– Semikhvostov v Russia (February 2014): “The Court cannot but conclude that the restrictions on the applicant’s personal mobility in the facility and lack of reasonable accommodation during his three-year long detention must have had a dehumanising effect. The domestic authorities failed to treat the applicant in a safe and appropriate manner consistent with his disability.”
It is significant that the European Court of Human Rights has taken up reasonable accommodation in its jurisprudence, and it represents a step toward increased CRPD recognition and compliance. While there remain issues of conflict and contention between the European Convention and the Court’s case law and the CRPD, it is a positive sign that the Court is adopting this key concept which helps pave the way to raise the obligation to provide reasonable accommodation in other contexts given its far reaching applicability across all rights.
European Court of Human Rights judgment in Semikhvostov v Russia (Application no 2689/12)
Extracts of the judgment in related to the third party intervention - DG v Poland: On 2 July 2012, together with the European Disability Forum and the Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights, IDA submitted joint written comments to the European Court of Human Rights in the case of DG v Poland (Application no 45705/07) brought by a wheel chair user prisoner who, in the course of carrying out his sentence, was subjected to ill-treatment in prison due to the lack of provision of reasonable accommodation. DG v Poland joint written comments.
- Mihailovs v Latvia: On 13 February 2012, together with the World Network of Users and Survivors of Psychiatry, the European Disability Forum and the European Network of (ex-) Users and Survivors of Psychiatry, IDA submitted joint written comments to the European Court of Human Rights in the case of Mihailovs v Latvia (Aplication no 35939/10) brought by a man with a psychosocial disability who was placed under guardanship and forcibly institutionalised and subjected to forced treatment and arbitrary detention for more than ten years. Written comments.
- Gauer and Others v France: On 16 August 2011, together with the European Disability Forum, the Centre for Reproductive Rights, Interights and the Mental Disability Alliance, IDA submitted joint written comments to the European Court of Human Rights in the case of Gauer and Others v France (Application no 61521/08) brought by five women with intellectual disabilities who were forcibly sterilised upon the decision of their guardian. Gauer and Others v France joint written comments. The European Group of National Human Rights Institutions also submitted comments to the Court, they can be read here.
Millennium Development Goals (MDGs):
- IDA position paper on the MDGs: English
Social Protection:
- IDA position paper on the Social Protection Floor Recommendation
Human Rights Education and Training:
- In September 2009, IDA contributed to the consultation process on the draft declaration on human rights education and training. IDA contribution.
- Human Rights Council 16th Session (March 2011): IDA made a statement on human rights education and training.
The Right to Drinking Water and Sanitation:
- Human Rights Council 15th Session (Sept 2010): IDA made a statement on safe drinking water and sanitation.
- Human Rights Council 18th Session (Sept 2011): IDA made a statement on the right to water and sanitation.
Maternal Mortality:
- In November 2009, IDA contributed to the OHCHR consultation on maternal mortality. Document.
Leprosy:
- In November 2009, IDA contributed to the consultation following Human Rights Council Resolution 12/7 on Elimination of discrimination against persons affected by leprosy and their family members. Document.
The Right to Adequate Housing:
- Human Rights Council 16th Session (March 2011): IDA made a statement on the right to adequate housing.
Poverty:
- Human Rights Council 17th Session (June 2011): IDA made a statement on poverty.
Older Persons:
- Human Rights Council 18th Session (Sept 2011): IDA made a statement on the right to health of older persons.
Universal Periodic Review:
- Human Rights Council 16th Session (March 2011): IDA made a statement on the Universal Periodic Review.
Haiti:
- Human Rights Council 14th Session (June 2010): IDA made a statement on Haiti.
Accessibility:
- March 2012, Final IDA submission to CRPD Committee’s call for papers on Article 9 of the CRPD (Accessibility). IDA submission
- October 2010, IDA submitted a contribution to the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Day of General Discussion on “Accessibility”.
- World Blind Union: Guidelines to powerpoint presentations. Document.
Documents produced by IDA on UN Treaty Bodies:
- Guidance document on parallel reporting:
English Word* or PDF
Spanish Word* or PDF
French Word* or PDF
Arabic Word*
- IDA Facsheet on the List of Issues (Document produced by IDA on how to contribute to the list of issues of the UN Treaty Bodies). (English or Spanish)
- IDA Factsheet on the Optional Protocol to the CRPD (Document produced by IDA on how to lodge a communication to the Committee under the Optional Protocol)
World Institute on Disability
International Program
WID’s International Program builds leadership and capacity in disabled persons organizations (DPOs) in post conflict and developing countries to promote the full inclusion of people with disabilities into all aspects of society.
National Organizations
United States International Council on Disabilities
http://www.usicd.org/template/index.cfm
MIUSA – Mobility International
Global Alliance on Accessible Technologies and Environments – http://gaates.org/
Global Initiative for Inclusive ICTs – http://g3ict.org/about
Web accessibility
http://webaccess.berkeley.edu/resources/tips/web-accessibility
Meetings, events & workshops
13th session of the Committee, 25 March-17 April 2015
3rd Pre-sessional Working Group of the Committee, 20-24 April 2015
Awareness campaigns of inclusion and acessibility
Good manners
Scope
‘End The Awkward’ Chat Up
Amputee – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vE2HgtoOE7g
Wheelchair user – http://youtu.be/6wG_p7nc3wk
Deaf – http://youtu.be/QX84nJoP4zc
Quizz – How awkward are you?
See the person, not the disability
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhKMouRaWcY
Katie’s disability awareness video (How Katie got a Voice – child storybook)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0fs9650Vz8
There is no need to be awkward
Disability Sensitivity Training Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gv1aDEFlXq8
Down syndrome
Instituto MetaSocial
Awareness videos – http://www.metasocial.org.br/#!campanhas-e-vdeos/c236o
A World of Wheelchairs (EDF ad – France)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzRQOfVvVh4
Convention (in Portuguese)
Dear Future Mum (Down syndrome) – Coordown
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ju-q4OnBtNU
Teen Disability Awareness – Famous disabled people and numbers in the UK
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QrszETCTKIg
Moving Wheelchair ad (basketball game)
https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=596935827014175
Carly’s cafe – Experience Autism Through Carly’s Eyes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmDGvquzn2k
Like everyone else by Disability Forum (autism, DS)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2PIizndq-g
UNICEF – Awareness for teachers
http://teachunicef.org/explore/topic/children-disabilities
People with different types of disability give tips on what to do around them – CPS Office of Diverse Learner (Chicago Public Schools)
ILO – The Ability Factor – International Labour Organizaton
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0lt0KFhUek
TED Talks
PC and New Jersey
Andrew Salomon
Australian advocate
Inspirational
NICK VUJICIC – No arms, No legs, No worries!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjbX6mDnMwM
Inclusive ads (listed by country)
Media & Disability
Media & Disability Resources
Media Representation of Disabled People
http://www.disabilityplanet.co.uk/
Disability and Media Matters
http://disabilitymediamatters.me/1-about-dmm/
National Center on Disability and Journalism
http://ncdj.org/
Alliance for Inclusion in the Arts
http://inclusioninthearts.org/
Disability Rights Promotion International
News
Reporters with disabilities
Reporting about disabilities
Reporting about something else
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/profiles/1L5PcSNCglzXvZD7LnB3GMN/ade-adepitan