1. THE IMPORTANCE OF THE UNCRPD TO DISABLED PEOPLE AROUND WORLD
Sue Bott, Deputy CEO Disability Rights UK

2. Disability World 15% World’s population are disabled people
Over 1 billion people
1970 estimate 10% world’s population
Reasons – better reporting, people living longer, no shortage of wars and attacks on civilians

3. Lead up to UN CRPD 1981 – 1992 UN decade of People with Disabilities
1982 World Programme of Action Concerning Disabled People
1993 Standard Rules on the Equalisation of Opportunities for Disabled People

4. Reason for UN CRPD
Invisibility of disabled people in international human rights actions
Disabled people have the same rights but were rarely mentioned
Monitoring reports largely ignored disabled people
1993 Standard Rules were not legally binding on any country

5. Drafting of UN CRPD
2001 Resolution from Mexico to UN Assembly to start the process
Between 2002 – sessions plus a working group chaired by New Zealand
Extensive involvement of DPOs
New way of working for the UN

6. UN CRPD
Finalised 2006
Open for signatories 2007 – record number of signatories for a UN treaty
Came into force 2008
Ratified with the Optional Protocol 2009

7. Principles of UN CRPD Respect for control, choice and dignity
Non-discrimination
Full participation
Respect for difference
Equality of opportunity
Accessibility
Men and women are equal
Respect for disabled children

8. IMPORTANT RIGHTS Engagement – articles 4 and 33
Awareness raising – article 8
Access – articles 9 and 21
Right to life – article 10
Equality before the Law – articles 12 and 13
Liberty and security of the person – article 14
Independent living – article 19
Education – article 24
Health – article 25
Employment – article 27
Adequate standard of living – article 28

9. IMPORTANCE OF UNCRPD Disabled people were central to it
Based on social model – it’s not our medical conditions that limit us or define us; it’s the environmental and attitudinal barriers that discriminate against us
Legally binding
Sets the standard
Disabled Peoplle included in human rights

10. AND FINALLY . . .
NOTHING ABOUT US WITHOUT US