International Perspectives on Disability

What is the primary international instrument for disability rights?

United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD)

What are PWD?

- People with disability

- Among the most marginalized groups in the world

- Have poorer health outcomes, lower education achievements, less economic participation, and higher rates of poverty than people without disability

What is the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD)?

- Promote rights and full participation of people with disabilities (PWD) in the society

- Came into effect on May 3, 2008 and was ratified by many countries

- Encouraged the shift in view of PWD from objects of charity to equal members of the society with human rights

What are countries who ratified the UNCRPD required to do?

Promote, protect, and ensure the rights of PWD

What is an international convention or treaty?

An agreement between different countries that is legally binding to the contracting states

What may PWD be prevented from participating in due to physical and social obstacles?

- Receiving an education

- Getting jobs, even when they are well qualified

- Accessing information

- Obtaining proper health care

- Getting around

- Fitting in and being accepted

What are modern views on disability?

- Disability is the result of interaction between person and the environment

- Disability resides in the society and not in the person

- Now understood as a human rights issue

What are examples of how disability resides in the society and not in the person?

- A person in a wheelchair might have difficulties being gainfully employed not because of their condition but because there are environmental barriers such as inaccessible buses or staircases in the workplace which obstruct their access

- A child with an intellectual disability might have difficulties going to school due to the attitudes of teachers, school boards, and possibly parents who are unable to adapt to students with different learning capacities

What are the 8 principles of the UNCRPD?

- Respect for inherent dignity

- Non-discrimination

- Full and effective participation

- Acceptance

- Equality of opportunities

- Accessibility

- Gender equality

- Respect for evolving capacities of children with disabilities

What 8 legislations are in alignment with the UNCRPD?

- American with Disabilities Act (ADA) (1990)

- Telecommunication Act (1996)

- Fair Housing Act (1988)

- Air Carrier Access Act (1986)

- Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act (1984)

- Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) (1975)

- Section 501, 503, 504, and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act (1973)

- Architectural Barriers Act (1968)

How is the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) in alignment with the UNCRPD?

Promotes equal opportunities, accommodation, transportation, etc.

How is the Telecommunication Act in alignment with the UNCRPD?

Requires manufacturers of telecommunications equipment and providers of telecommunications services to ensure that such equipment and services are accessible to and usable by PWD

How is the Fair Housing Act in alignment with the UNCRPD?

Prohibits housing discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status, and national origin

How is the Air Carrier Access Act in alignment with the UNCRPD?

Prohibits discrimination in air transportation by domestic and foreign air carriers against qualified individuals with physical or mental impairments

How is the Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act in alignment with the UNCRPD?

Requires polling places across the United States to be physically accessible to PWD for federal elections

How are Section 501, 503, 504, and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act (1973) in alignment with the UNCRPD?

Makes it so no qualified PWD in the United States shall be excluded from, denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity that either receives Federal financial assistance

How are Architectural Barriers Act in alignment with the UNCRPD?

Requires that buildings and facilities that are designed, constructed, or altered with Federal funds, or leased by a Federal agency, comply with Federal standards for physical accessibility

What is the ICIDH?

- International Classification of Impairments, Disabilities, and Handicaps (1980)

- Published by WHO in 1980

What was International Classification of Impairments, Disabilities, and Handicaps (1980) changed to in 2001?

International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICFDH)

What is the purpose of the ICIDH-2 or ICFDH?

- To provide a scientific basis for understanding and studying health and health related states, outcomes, and determinants

- To establish a common language for describing health and health-related states in order to improve communication between different users

- To permit comparison of data across countries, health care disciplines, services and time

- To provide a systematic coding scheme for health information systems

What are impairments?

Problems in body function or structure such as a significant deviation or loss

What are activity limitations?

Difficulties an individual may have in executing activities

What are participation restrictions?

Problems an individual may experience in involvement in life situations

What has "consequences of diseases" shifted to?

Components of health