The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities at a glance

Sebastian Fjeld
February 23, 2024

The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities at a glance

Share this post:

Sebastian Fjeld
February 23, 2024

The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) promotes and protects the rights of people with disabilities. It is an indispensable document for our society because it brought about a fundamental change in political attitudes towards people with disabilities when it was introduced. According to the German Institute for Human Rightsit established a human rights approach:

People with disabilities are bearers of human rights and the state has a duty to respect, guarantee and protect the rights of people with disabilities. In this understanding, disability is seen as an enrichment of human diversity.

The progress made by the various nations that adhere to this convention is monitored and criticized in so-called state reviews. The second and third country reviews took place in August last year. A federal conference is to be held in Germany in the near future. The original date, February 27, 2024, is no longer valid and we have not yet been able to find a new date.

What is the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities?

The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, or "Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities", is a treaty under international law that was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on December 13, 2006.

Its main objective is to protect and promote the rights and dignity of people with disabilities worldwide. The convention is intended to enable participation and equal rights, and gives concrete form to the human rights already recognized in other human rights conventions for people with disabilities.

Internationally, it came into force on May 3, 2008. According to the provisions of the Convention, it came into force in Germany on March 26, 2009 and has been applicable law here since then and must be implemented by all state institutions. To ensure that the UN CRPD is implemented and to monitor progress or shortcomings, the "Monitoring Body" of the German Institute for Human Rights was established in 2009.

The second and third state examinations: something needs to be done here

"We are different distances away from full participation and self-determination in different areas. In some areas, there are more legal regulations and political efforts, such as the accessibility of official buildings, but life doesn't just take place in offices," says Dr. Britta Schlegel, Head of the Monitoring Institute for Human Rights.

Education:

The challenges in the education sector are reflected in the lack of motivation and rejection of inclusion. "In the school sector, we can clearly see that there are really large sections of society that are either skeptical or against it because of the prevailing stereotypes about children with disabilities," says Schlegel.

In some federal states, the proportion of pupils at special schools is stagnating or even increasing. Inclusive schools are seen as half-hearted, which leads to segregation and inadequate life courses.

Lack of self-determination:

The Monitoring Body emphasizes a lack of self-determination, particularly in the school sector and in employment in workshops. Self-determination means being able to take advantage of individual offers and not having to operate within a "highly developed system of special structures".

Since 2022, there have been guidelines on deinstitutionalization, i.e. the reduction of inpatient facilities. The system should provide more individual support services for people with disabilities. However, this deinstitutionalization has made little progress. There is a lack of a clear strategy and financial resources continue to flow mainly into inpatient facilities.

No protection against violence:

People with disabilities, especially in closed systems, are exposed to a higher risk of violence. There is still no independent monitoring body for the protection against violence in institutions, as required by Article 16 of the UN CRPD.

There is no effective access to justice, no accessibility in women's shelters, and although SGB paragraph 37a requires violence protection concepts, there are no effective controls or minimum criteria.

All these shortcomings are also mentioned in the concluding observations of the committee which were published in English on 08.09.2023.

The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities has significantly changed the way in which people with disabilities are treated. It contributes to an inclusive and equal society. The upcoming conference to review the second and third state review provides an opportunity to address challenges and work together towards a world in which the rights of persons with disabilities are protected and respected. This process is not only a review of the States Parties, but also a collective commitment to a world without barriers and discrimination.

Easy for everyone

Are you interested? We will be happy to help you.

With over 25 functions relating to digital accessibility, Eye-Able also helps you to reduce your barriers in the long term. You can make your information accessible to everyone and not exclude any visitors - in short: you can tap into a new target group without high marketing volumes.

Consultation

Non-binding consultation on digital accessibility in general

Analysis

Discussion of possible optimization potential on your website

Live demo

Presentation of the assistance software directly on your website

Further contributions

If you want a little more:

A person defends a goal from a blue ball by using his body.

Blind trust: Inclusion and team spirit in goalball

The sport that won't make you lose your hearing, but will definitely make you lose your sight! And in the truest sense of the word, because the discipline,

May 23, 2024

The stick figure for accessibility can be seen on the right-hand side of the picture. It is surrounded by other symbols that fit the theme, such as a stick figure in a wheelchair, a guide dog and an eye. "Global Accessibility Day" is written on the left-hand side of the picture.

Keeping an eye on accessibility? - The Global Accessibility Awareness Day

Take note! Inclusion must be lived. Internally and externally. Today, tomorrow and every other day of the year. Today, the day

May 16, 2024

The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities at a glance

The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities at a glance

What is the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities?

The second and third state examinations: something needs to be done here

Education:

Lack of self-determination:

No protection against violence:

Are you interested? We will be happy to help you.

Consultation

Analysis

Live demo

If you want a little more:

Blind trust: Inclusion and team spirit in goalball

Keeping an eye on accessibility? - The Global Accessibility Awareness Day

Your digital accessibility starts here.

About Eye-Able®

Discover

Quick Links

Useful information

Contact us