The UN Convention is serviced by a joint Secretariat which is comprised of staff members from the United Nations as well as the Department of Social Affairs (DESA). The Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights is also involved in the Convention.

Signatories Of The UN Convention

At present, The UN Convention On Rights Of Persons With Disabilities boasts of 143 signatories. The Optional Protocol has 87 signatories.

The Convention has received 75 ratifications and the Optional Protocol has received 48 ratifications. As per the UN Enable website, Bolivia is the the country to have most recently ratified the Convention.

Convention Facts

This particular UN Convention is the first of its kind and is a major step for the disabled community which has previously been sidelined and often even been discriminated against.

As per the UN Enable website, “It is the first comprehensive human rights treaty of the 21st century and is the first human rights convention to be open for signature by regional integration organizations.”

The Convention was openly welcomed by the disabled community because it marked a shift in the world’ attitude towards disabilities. Most people with disabilities simply want nothing more than to be treated with equal rights. The UN Convention On Rights Of Persons With Disabilities did exactly that. It helped the world realize that people with disabilities are not merely objects of charity deserving pity but are in fact people with certain handicaps, but people who need and deserve the same rights as everyone else.

Convention Recommendations For World Leaders

The Convention states that persons with disabilities should be guaranteed the right to inclusive education at all levels, regardless of age, without discrimination and on the basis of equal opportunity.
State Parties should ensure that:

1. children with disabilities are not excluded from free and compulsory primary education, or from secondary education;
2. adults with disabilities have access to general tertiary education, vocational training, adult education and lifelong learning;
3. persons with disabilities receive the necessary support, within the general education system, to facilitate their effective education; and
4. effective individualized support measures are put in place to maximize academic and social development.

State Parties should take appropriate measures, such as:

1. endorsing the learning of Braille, alternative script, augmentative and alternative modes, means and formats of communication and orientation and mobility skills, and facilitating peer support and mentoring;
2. supporting the learning of sign language and promoting the linguistic identity of the deaf community;
3. advocating that education of persons, particularly children, who are blind and/or deaf, is delivered in the most appropriate languages and means of communication for the individual; and
4. employing teachers, including teachers with disabilities, who are qualified in sign language and/or Braille, and to train education professionals and staff about disability awareness, use of augmentative and alternative modes and formats of communication, and educational techniques and materials to support persons with disabilities.

The Convention establishes human rights for persons with disabilities by affirming that persons with all range of disabilities are entitled to the fundamental freedoms every world citizen enjoys.

The Convention stressed the importance of mainstreaming disability issues and urged governments to pay more attention to the rights of disabled people. It encourages world leaders to thoughtfully and intelligently strategize to make the world a more friendly place for persons with disabilities.

By recognizing the rights of disabled people and the need to promote their human rights across the world, the United Nations introduced a revolutionary change the disabled community has long demanded.

The Convention will go down in history as the fastest negotiated human rights treaty. It is a much needed change for the disabled community so the world and even government view persons with disabilities as equal citizens and grant them equal rights.

References:

UN Enable

Female Disability Discrimination

While disability discrimination is a common issue faced by many individuals, this discrimination is two-fold while dealing with women with disabilities. As a child, a disabled girl faces extreme societal rejection from other regular kids. A disabled girl generally grows up with the fear of being taunted and ridiculed for suffering from a particular disability. Disabled women on the other hand, face female disability discrimination at the workplace and during employment. Many countries look down upon disabled women and doubt their mothering skills. Sometimes they even go as far as blaming the disabled mother as the cause for a child born with birth defects. They are often times left with no respect and society disregards them as being at an equal level with other women. While disabled men too lose their “manhood” while dealing with their disability, they are still considered the head of the family and are given a higher preference in the workplace. Disabled women, on the other hand, find it harder to find jobs with their condition and often lose their self-esteem due to this prevalent bias. Much improvement is required to fight for equal opportunities for women with disabilities.

Support Organizations For Disabled Ladies

1. F.R.I.D.A. – Feminist Response in Disability Activism (1), is a Chicago based organization that was set up originally by five women to protect the rights of disabled women within their community. Within a year, F.R.I.D.A. gained immense popularity and quickly spread to many different states. It now impacts and benefits several women with disabilities and provides valuable information to all those suffering from discrimination based on their gender. As stated on their website, this female disability organization follows numerous goals. F.R.I.D.A.

• Is led by and for women with disabilitie
• Responds to issues affecting women with disabilities
• Is radicalized women, representing ourselves
• Raises awareness about the issues that affect us
• Provides a safe space for women with disabilities and those who identify as a woman with a disability, regardless of sexuality

2. 4DWM – For Disabled Women (2), is a website dedicated to disabled women suffering from physical or speech impairments. It is a project of Women Pushing Forward and Policy Research on Women and Disability (PROWD), and it funded entirely by a grant for Verizon network. It covers all areas of legal, education, assistive technologies and health that would benefit disabled ladies to become aware of the opportunities available to them.

3. DWOW – Disabled Women on the Web (3), is a web-based organization that was founded by Corbett O’Toole who is a part of the Disabled. It was set up to introduce a place where disabled women could discuss their difficulties and share their experiences and solutions to problems. The purpose is to bring together various women with disabilities and provide a platform to accumulate resources and information to support these women with special needs.

Female disability is equally prevalent, but somehow, disabled women seem to face a higher degree of discrimination and difficulties in dealing with their conditions. Being a disabled woman is a challenging task in this world. Many other women with disabilities have recognized this and have set up various groups and websites to bring together disabled ladies from around the world to share their stories and problems. They also provide support in medical, health, products and other areas which have proven to be extremely beneficial. Disabled women would gain immensely from visiting and joining such forums in order to be well-informed of what the world is trying to do to help them out.

References:

1. Feminist Response In Disability Activism
2. 4DWM – For Disabled Women
3. Disabled Women on the Web

The Fair Housing Act Amendments For Disability Accommodation

The Fair Housing Act prohibits housing discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, familial status, disability and national origin. The coverage includes private housing, housing with Federal financial assistance, and State and local government housing. It is illegal to deny selling or renting a house to an individual due to their disability. Other activities included in the Fair Housing Act are zoning practices, construction, advertising and financing. Renters and sellers are required to make reasonable changes adaptations to their properties to provide equal opportunities to disabled people seeking housing. The disabled housing changes should be made even if it goes against their policy, just to make disabled housing more convenient. Furthermore, The Fair Housing Act requires access related adjustments to be made to private and common areas to alleviate disability accommodation. The Fair Housing Act amendments now also include multifamily housing with four or more units to be designed to allow access to persons with disabilities. Even though the Federal government does not directly provide disabled people housing, the Fair Housing Act was established to help make housing for disabled individuals easier to obtain and protect disabled housing rights. The Fair Housing Act  asserts that the right to disabled housing is a disability right and it should not just be considered a disability benefit.

Who Qualifies For Disability Accomodation?

Disabled housing is provided to individuals who claim to have a disability that is declared legally while renting or buying a house. The benefits of the Fair Housing Act disabled people housing can be obtained if the following characteristics are met with.

• The disability must substantially limit one or more major life activities
• The disability may be physical or mental
• It need not be obvious and noticeable
• Addictions such as drug and alcohol addictions qualify as well
• You are not required to be using an assistive device

If your disability falls under these specifications, you are entitled to receive disabled housing and are protected from discrimination under the Fair Housing Act.

The Fair Housing Act was created to protect disabled housing rights of the people. It helps provide disabled people housing who were earlier being discriminated against.The access related and other design changes that are now required by the Fair Housing Act amendments make disabled housing more convenient and disability friendly. It is now easier to find housing for disabled individuals and also demand reasonable changes to accommodate your disability. If you qualify under the definition of a disability and are seeking disabled housing, under the Fair Housing Act, you are entitled to all these disabled housing rights which make your living hassle free and convenient.

References:

1. Fair Housing Act – American Disabilities Act
2. Fair Housing Act of 1968 – Federal Emergency Management Agency
3. Fair Housing — It’s Your Right – U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

In the UK there is a policy in place which is called “The Children’s Act”. This policy was designed to keep children safe and well and help to give a disabled child a better lifestyle in the home by providing services to meet the needs of the child.

A child in need of help may be:
* Disabled.

* Doesn’t have a reasonable standard of health.

* Unlikely to progress in terms of development due to poor health.

* Unlikely to progress without help being given from social services.

What can the act do to help me?

If you have a disabled child and you think that their standard of living could be improved with help from social security then you should contact your local social security office to set up an “assessment of needs”.

A social worker will then come to your home and talk over with you the needs of your child and also those of other family members. He/she will discuss with you what benefits your family could be entitled to and how social security can help. All factors of your child’s needs will be taken into account including health, social and educational needs.

What services can be provided for my child?

Children and their families who have been assessed may be entitled to a wide range of help and support which may include:

* Short breaks.

* Holiday play schemes.

* Care in the home.

* Aids and adaptations around the home.

* Financial support.

Depending on the level of care needed after the assessment you may be entitled to claim direct payments instead of receiving social care provided by social security. This is a payment on cash which will enable you to buy specific items to help and improve your child’s life at home.

Your child’s education rights

You are entitled to certain rights when it comes to your child’s education, some of which include:

* A child with special needs should get help at school if they have significantly more difficulty in learning than other children of the same age or if they have a disability that affects the way they can use educational facilities that are provided for children of the same age.

Your rights if your disabled child is being bullied at school

A recent survey has shown that one in three disabled children has been at some time or another bullied in school. Bullying is nothing new and it doesn’t only happen to disabled children but figures have shown that pupils with disabilities are more susceptible to name calling and often physical violence.

Almost half of the young disabled people have been bullied in school despite policies put in place regarding bullying.

What can be done?

Parents and children can form a good relationship with the school expressing any concerns that they may have regarding their child and talk over with the school what policy it has regarding bullying, discuss what actions the school takes over bullying and what the school actually regards as bullying.

Most if not all schools have a strategy in place regarding bullying, although the government does not advocate specific bullying strategies it does provide schools with well known strategies that schools do find helpful. In the end it is down to the particular school to develop their own winning strategy against bullying.

What is defined as bullying in school?

We all know children can be just children often cruel and thoughtless to the feelings of others more so in regards to children who are disabled, so when does simple name calling turn into bullying?, how is bullying defined? “Bullying exists when students are exposed repeatedly or over time to a negative action on the part of one or more students”.

The effects of bullying can be long term and can cause many added problems to your child’s day to day living, signs to watch out for that your child may be suffering at the hands of a bully are:

* Torn, damaged, missing clothing, books or other belongings.

* Unexplained cuts, bruises or scratches.

* Loses interest in school work or school work suffers.

* You child appears sad, moody, depressed or teary.

* Complains frequently of small illnesses such as headache and stomach ache.

If you suspect your child is being bullied in school then it is important that you contact the school as soon as possible regarding this matter, all schools are required by law to have a discipline policy when it comes to bullying and legally the school has to do everything it possibly can to prevent bullying from occurring.

Steps to take to stop bullying

* Get in touch with the school first preferably the head teacher or Principal.

* Talk with your child let them know this is unacceptable and help will be given.

* Discuss with the child’s teacher ways to help your child.

* Regularly check with your child and school to make sure any enforcements have been kept in regards to your child’s problem.

If all else fails then there are several other organisations which may be able to offer you help and advice against bullying, these are:

United Kingdom

Child line – http://www.childline.org.uk/ Kidscape – http://www.kidscape.org.uk/

United States

Covenant house nineline – http://www.covenanthouse.org/nineline

Canada

Kids help phone- http://www.kidshelp.sympatico.ca/

Czech Republic

The safety line- http://www.linkabezpeci.cz/

New Zealand

0800 Kidsline – mailto:info@lifeline.org.nz

If you are disabled with either a physical, intellectual or psychiatric disablement that prevents you from working then you may qualify for disability support pension,if you are working but cannot use public transport because of your disability then you may be entitled to claim mobility allowance, if you provide daily care to someone who is disabled then you may be entitled to carer allowance, more information can be found at:

Disability support pension

http://www.centrelink.gov.au/internet/internet.nsf/payments/disability_support.htm

Mobility allowance

http://www.centrelink.gov.au/internet/internet.nsf/payments/mobility.htm

Carer allowance

http://www.centrelink.gov.au/internet/internet.nsf/payments/carer_allow_adult.htm

Canada

The Ontario disability support program is based on meeting the needs of disabled people and helping them become more independent in their day to day living. There are two ways in which they can help, providing financial assistance for those with disabilities and providing support for disabled people in the working environment. More information can found at:

http://www.mcss.gov.on.ca/CFCS/en/programs/IES/OntarioDisabilitySupportProgram/default.htm

Ireland

The Irish social welfare system has several benefits that disabled people may be entitled to receive which include disability allowance, disability benefit and blind pension. More information can found at:

http://www.welfare.ie/schemes/ill/index.html

New Zealand

New Zealand offers several benefits and ways of support for disabled people in ensuring a better quality of life, some of which include mobility allowance if you need help getting around and disability allowance for people with long term disabilities and need help with every day tasks. More information can be at their website:

http://www.govt.nz/services?treeid=786

Scotland

Scotland offers several disability pensions for disabled people such as disability living allowance, attendance allowance, incapacity benefit and carer’s allowance. More information on which benefits you may be entitled to because of your disability can be found at their website:

http://www.carerscotland.org/Information/Financialhelp

United Kingdom

Useful information for the disabled regarding any benefits they may be entitled to and the rights of the disabled in different circumstances can be found at:

Financial support for the disabled

http://www.direct.gov.uk/DisabledPeople/FinancialSupport/fs/en Employment rights and benefits:

http://www.direct.gov.uk/DisabledPeople/Employment/fs/en

Home and housing rights and options

http://www.direct.gov.uk/DisabledPeople/HomeAndHousingOptions/fs/en

Health and support rights and benefits

http://www.direct.gov.uk/DisabledPeople/HealthAndSupport/fs/en

Education rights and allowances

http://www.direct.gov.uk/DisabledPeople/EducationAndTraining/fs/en

Disabled people’s rights

http://www.direct.gov.uk/DisabledPeople/RightsAndObligations/fs/en

Motoring schemes and rights

http://www.direct.gov.uk/DisabledPeople/RightsAndObligations/fs/en

Disabled people’s rights when travelling

http://www.direct.gov.uk/DisabledPeople/TravelHolidaysAndBreaks/fs/en

United States

The USA has two major financial support packages which disabled people may be entitled to receive, the social security disability program which is based on social security disability insurance which means you may be entitled to help if you are insured and supplemental security income which pays benefits based on financial needs. More information can be found at:

http://www.ssa.gov/disability/

Social security disability insurance

http://www.ssa.gov/dibplan/index.htm

Supplemental security income

http://www.ssa.gov/notices/supplemental-security-income/.

What Rights Do Disabled People Have?

Disability rights for disabled people have greatly increased over the last few years when the disability discrimination act came into force in 1995. The aim of the act when introduced was to put an end to discrimination that was being faced by disabled people.

Key points of the disability discrimination act include:

* The right to fair employment. Every firm which employs 15 or more people has to conform to this act and covers dismissal, working conditions and redundancy.

* The right to have access to services and facilities.

* The right to have reasonable adjustments made for access in the working environment.

* The right to education in any school, college or further education.

Discrimination is said to occur when any disabled person is treated with less favour, the treatment is relating to the person’s disability and when there has been inadequate adjustments made which cannot be justified.

Education providers

For places of education such as schools, colleges and any place of further education the disability discrimination act was extended and is called the special educational needs and disability act. This act was formed to protect students against discrimination, its key points are:

* It is against the law to prevent any disabled student from taking a course or to mark down in assessment any disabled person suffering from dyslexia or deafness.

* Certain policies have to be changed for disabled students, for example giving more computer access during exams.

* The place should be able to provide aids and services for those with disabilities, such as providing hearing aid loops and installation of special software on computers for those people with visual disabilities.

* Making adjustments to the building themselves for easier access.

Who has To Comply with the Act?

Any company or organization that provides facilities to the public has to comply with this regulation and includes:

* Building societies and banks.

* Hospitals and Doctor’s surgeries.

* Theatres and Cinema’s.

* Bus stations and Railway stations.

* Hotels, shops and restaurants.

* Soccer grounds, sports halls parks.

Who Isn’t Covered?

* Trains, buses and any other public transport.

* Private clubs.

* Manufacturers.

How Is The Law Enforced?

The law is enforced by the disabled rights commission which is an independent body of people. They were put there to ensure that elimination is met for discrimination of disabled people and to promote equal opportunities and for them to also assist and give advice on how to treat disabled people, and to advise the government on the legislation of disability.

Social security benefits for the disabled vary from country to country but most countries have some kind of benefits that disabled people may be entitled to.

It is worth checking with the relevant social security benefits office in your country to make sure you don’t miss out on any of benefits you may be entitled to receiving due to your disabilities.

There are generally three main disability benefits that disabled people may be entitled to, these will have slightly different names depending on the country you live in.

Social Security Benefits

Main Disability and Sickness Benefits

Disability living allowance – This benefit is paid if you cannot look after yourself properly and need help getting around, you must be under 65.

Attendance allowance – You may be entitled to this benefit if you are over 65 and need help in looking after yourself.

Incapacity Benefit – If your disability stops you from working then you may be entitled to claim this benefit, the rates payable depend on the amount of time you are unable to work.

Benefits for Healthy Living

Direct payments – If you have been assessed and need care and support then you may be entitled to direct payments; direct payments will give you the opportunity of buying care yourself instead of receiving it from social services directly.

Equipment for Independent Living

If you need special equipment to be able to live independently then you may be able to claim towards the cost of alterations needed to adapt your home.

Health Equipment and Prescriptions

You could be entitled to help with prescription costs, dental care and items such as wheelchairs and hearing aids.

Tax relief on equipment

Some goods may qualify for tax relief if it has been designed or adapted for a disabled person.

Independent Living Fund

If you are severely disabled then you may be entitled to a grant which could enable you to live independently rather than in a care home.

Work schemes

“Access to work” is a scheme set up to provide practical support at work, it can help with paying towards special equipment needed or to help with costs towards travel if you are unable to use public transport.

Blind persons Tax

This allowance allows you to receive an income without having to pay tax on it, it is usually added to your personal tax allowance.

Disability Living allowance

This is an allowance for a child with a severe physical or mental disability; you may be entitled to claim this if the child needs a lot more looking after than other children of similar age.

Disabled Facilities Grant

This is a local council grant that may be given when help is needed adapting the home.

Television license discount

If you are registered blind then you are entitled to 50% off your television license.

The Motability scheme

This scheme can help you purchase or rent a car, powered wheelchair or scooter if you are getting the highest rate of the disabled living allowance.

Disabled students allowance

This allowance can help pay for specialist equipment and non medical personal assistance.

Industrial injuries disablement benefit

If your disability is the result of an accident at work then you may be entitled to claim this benefit.

Constant attendance allowance

If you need daily care because of a disability then you may be entitled to receiving this allowance.

War disablement pension

If you have become disabled due to serving in the armed forces then you may be able to claim this.