The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD):

The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is one of the first human rights Conventions of this century. It guarantees all human rights to all persons with disabilities.

The convention developed with extensive participation and inclusion of stakeholders. Disabled People's Organisation enjoyed equal rights of participation along with government Representatives.

The Convention is a reflection of the readiness of the international community to recognize that disability is a human rights issue. Till the year 2006, disability issue was not even considered a 'human rights issue'. But disability (advocacy) movement across the world, brought about the shift.

The Convention breaks way from usual practices. The Convention is unique since the primary stakeholders (people with disabilities) were central, fundamental to the formulation of the Convention. The Convention specially focuses on disabled women and children.

The Convention is guided by core principles that include,

• 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 evolving capacities of children with disabilities and respect for the right of children with disabilities to preserve their identities.

Source: Report on National Trust Local Level Committee Meet, 2011

Click here to see the UNCRPD toolkit

See: http://www.un.org/disabilities/default.asp?id=150 The Convention