Universal legal capacity, to ensure equal recognition of persons with disabilities before the law
Around the world, experiences of peer support, advanced directives, advocacy and other support measures are showing the way to fulfil the right of persons with disabilities to full legal capacity and equality before the law. The notion of universal legal capacity advanced in this report calls for societies in which every person—with or without disabilities—has the same rights, and is therefore equal before the law.
Sexual and reproductive health and rights of girls and young women with disabilities
Around the world, young women and girls with disabilities face great restrictions to access to services and education that are essential for leading healthy lives and minimize risks of gender-based violence. Protecting their right to decide over their own bodies and sexuality is critical in the global fight to end violence, exploitation and abuse against women.
Support services for persons with disabilities
For most persons with disabilities, support services are necessary preconditions to live and fully participate in the community, with choices equal to others. In this report, the Special Rapporteur elaborates on the need for their inclusion in national policies and legislation, and provides guidelines for their implementation.
This report explains the economic case for disability-inclusive policies, relying on mounting evidence on the cost of their exclusion. Disability-inclusive development strategies not only improve the situation of persons with disabilities. They are also better for the economy, contribuing to the development of society as a whole.
Participation of persons with disabilities
Participation is a core human rights principle and a basic condition of democratic societies. It cannot be confined to basic voting rights, but must also include all aspects and levels of decision-making. This report makes the case in support of participation mechanisms that fully reflect the diversity of the community as the cornerstone for better policies and services, and more effective governance.
Inclusive Social Protection
This report explains how Social Protection systems contribute to social and economic development, stressing their importance as a key strategy to advance the Sustainable Development Goals, reduce poverty and inequality, and enhance human potential.
vision, methods and priorities
The Special Rapporteur defines priority areas, scope of work and vision to fulfill her mandate. The overarching message is clear: persons with disabilities are holders of human rights on an equal basis with others, and we must work together to promote their inclusion from a human rights-based approach.
To improve the situation of persons with disabilities, we need to work together. The inclusion of persons with disabilities in human rights and development work can only come about through shared understanding and cooperation.
For inquiries related to the work of the Special Rapporteur, please contact firstname.lastname@example.org
To communicate information regarding specific cases of violations of the rights of persons with disabilities, please go to the following section of the website of the Office of the UN High Commissioner of Human Rights:
Office of the Special Rapporteur on the rights of persons with disabilities:
150 route de Ferney, PO Box 2100
CH 1211 Geneva 2, Switzerland