The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: overview and implications for ICTs

1. International Telecommunication Union Workshop“Accessibility to ICTs”, Shanghai, China, 23 July 2010 The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: overview and implications for ICTs Silvia Lavagnoli Adviser on Human Rights and Disability Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)

2. Structure of Presentation • Overview of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities • Accessibility in the CRPD • Obligations arising from the CRPD

3. CORE INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS INSTRUMENTS • International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights - 1966 • International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights - 1966 • Convention on the Elimination of All forms of Racial Discrimination - 1965 • Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women - 1979 • Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment – 1984 • Convention on the Rights of the Child - 1989 • Convention on the protection of the Rights of All Migrants Workers and members of Their Families - 1990

4. The Convention making process CRPD & Opt. Protocol opened for signature (May 2008) Adoption by GA (Dec 2006) only 5 years to elaborate, negotiate and adopt an international HR treaty: fast process!

5. Map of signatures and ratifications

6. structure and content of the CRPD 50 articles

7. Disability as a human rights issue “results from the interaction between persons with impairments and attitudinal and environmental barriers .. ” (preamble) “persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments which in interaction with various barriers may hinder their full and effective participation in society” (art.1)

8. Accessibility = Enabling Measure • to promote, protect and ensure the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by all persons with disabilities… (art. 1) • importance of accessibility to the physical, social, economic and cultural environment (..) and to information and communication, in enabling persons with disabilities to fully enjoy all human rights and fundamental freedoms (preamble)

9. Article 3 – General Principles • Respect for inherent dignity, individual autonomy including the freedom to make one's own choices, and independence of persons; • 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.

10. Article 9 – Accessibility Physical environment Transportation Information/Communication/ Technologies Public facilities and services

11. Several other provisions • Art. 20 - Personal mobility • Art. 21 – Freedom of expression and opinion and access to information • Art. 24 - Education • Art. 26 - Habilitation and rehabilitation • Art. 27 – Employment • Art. 29 - Participation in public and political life • Art. 31 – Statistics and data collection • Art. 32 – International cooperation

12. Implementation • ”adopt all appropriate legislative, administrative and other measures” (art. 4) • and specifically • Standards and guidelines • R&D for universal design • R&D for ICTs • Promote access to ICTS • Training • Accessibility of private sector • Affordability

13. Where? • National level • International cooperation (art. 32) • And the United Nations?

14. CONTACTS • www.ohchr.org, www. http://www2.ohchr.org/english/issues/disability/index.htm • Silvia Lavagnoli, +41 (0)22 9289586 and slavagnoli@ohchr.org