World Disability Day, December 3

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Published by Dario Dongo on 2 December 2019

Disability, from world day to the UN Convention

The international day of Persons with Disabilities was proclaimed on December 3 of each year, by the General Assembly of the United Nations, in 1992. (1) The United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons, ten years dedicated to promoting awareness on the issue and promoting the inclusion of disabled people in society. And it aspired to achieve that goal by 2010, with the Utopian optimism that distinguishes the UN.

The UN Convention on the rights of persons with disabilities - Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), adopted on 13.12.06 and in force since 1.3.08 - then established the fundamental rights of people with disabilities. (2) And the corresponding duties of the acceding States to ensure their fulfillment. Something has been done in some countries. The global scenario is, however, light years away from objectives as well as from proclaimed rights. (3)

Disability in the most recent UN works

7 out of 17 SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) specifically mention people with disabilities. In the logic of the full inclusion of every human being on which the vision of sustainable development hinges, according to the motto No one left behind (# Envision2030).

The social and economic of disabled people has also been mentioned in various documents in the last 5 years. From the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 (4) to Charter on Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in Humanitarian Action, (5) the New Urban Agenda (6) and the Addis Ababa Action Agenda on Financing for Development. (7)

On 11.6.19 the UN Secretary General António Guterres then launched the disability inclusion strategy. Reaffirming that the full and complete realization of the human rights of all persons with disabilities is an inalienable, integral and indivisible part of all human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Disability, 1 in 6

The disability it belongs to the life cycle of every human being, in early childhood as well as in old age. And it can appear further in other moments of life, due to chronic diseases (eg diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, mental disorders, neurodegenerative diseases) or traumatic events. The World Health Organization estimated the prevalence of disability globally in 2011 to be 1 in 6 people. (8)

'People with disabilities include those with long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory disabilities who - in interaction with various barriers - can hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. ' (9)

World Disability Day

The international day of people with disabilities is able to identify the cultural, environmental and social barriers that remain in the territories, and work to overcome them. Removing the health impairments of individuals is sometimes impossible, but breaking down barriers means eradicating disability.

Inclusion it is therefore the crucial factor. Which is not about integrating people with disabilities into existing structures, but about transforming systems to make them accessible to all, without barriers or discrimination. Communities must put in place measures to support all individuals in homes and schools, professional centers and offices, cultural and sporting events, the community. (10)

From words to deeds, the situation in Italy remains dramatic. Families with disabled members remain severely exposed to the risks of poverty and social exclusion, as seen. The caregiver family members are completely unprotected, as well as it has been seen. And cultural barriers, even before architectural ones, are ubiquitous. (11) Starting with schools.

# Égalité!

Dario Dongo

Note

(1) UN resolution 14.10.92 n. 47/3,

(2) Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD),

(3) Some examples in previous articles on architectural barriers, personal mobility, public transport, tourist-hotel services, assistance rights in the event of aids failure.

(4) https://www.unisdr.org/we/coordinate/sendai-framework

(5) http://humanitariandisabilitycharter.org/the-charter/

(6) http://habitat3.org/the-new-urban-agenda/

(7) https://www.un.org/esa/ffd/publications/aaaa-outcome.html#

(8) WHO, World Bank (2011). World Report on Disability. WHO / NMH / VIP / 11.01,

(9) See Note 2. CRPD, article 1

(10) See also UNICEF (2007). Children with Disabilities. Ending Discrimination and Promoting Participation, Development and Inclusion, Program Guidance Note

(11) See examples in note 3

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