Disabilities GROUP

PREPARED BY KRANTI SIHOTRA MOMIN

Introduction
● According to the United Nations (UN), 1 billion people – 15 percent of the world’s
population – live with disabilities. These persons with disabilities tend to
experience a number of challenges, including lack of accessibility, stigma, and
discrimination.
● As a result, many persons with disabilities have faced various barriers in fully
participating in society.
● The situation is such that persons with disabilities continue to suffer from
violations of even basic human rights, and the goal of inclusion and accessibility is
far from realized.
● Nonetheless, the unanimous adoption of the Convention on the Rights of Persons
with Disabilities (CRPD) by the UNGA in 2006 has changed various aspects of
society, including policies, systems, programs, and mental health and psychosocial
aspects of persons with and without disabilities.
Current Situation Surrounding Persons with
Disabilities
● CRPD states that “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 on an
equal basis with others”
● Stigma and discrimination against persons with mental health conditions and
psychosocial disabilities is severe globally. Many countries do not have policies to
protect and promote rights of persons with mental health conditions or
psychosocial disabilities, and instead have outdated policies that deny such persons
even basic human rights.
● In addition, the mental health and psychosocial well-being of persons with
disabilities has not been prioritized for a long time.
History of Global Efforts to Protect and
Promote Rights of Persons with Disabilities – A
Path to CRPD
● The current world’s vision to achieve inclusion and participation of persons with
disabilities has one of its roots in the Charter. UDHR adopted in 1948 specifically
refers to disability in Article 25.
● In 1966. UDHR, ICCPR, and ICESCR constitute a triad of international human rights
treaties known as the International Bill of Human Rights and constitute the
foundation for the protection and promotion of human rights for all, including
persons with disabilities.
● As a result of those discussions, CRPD was adopted in 2006 at the sixty-first session
of the GA (UN, 2006). The adoption of CRPD was certainly a historic moment in the
field of disabilities as the global efforts by various stakeholders, including persons
with disabilities, were crystallized in a legally binding tool among state parties.
CRPD and Its Significance
● CRPD is a cornerstone in the field of disabilities. It provides the principle pertaining to
disabilities and gives a legal foundation to the rights disability communities had long
been discussing
● The principles of CRPD include (1) respect for inherent dignity and individual autonomy,
including the freedom to make one’s own choices, and independence of persons; (2)
nondiscrimination; (3) full and effective participation and inclusion in society; (4) respect
for differences and acceptance of persons with disabilities as part of human diversity
and humanity; (5) equality of opportunity; (6) accessibility; (7) equality between men
and women; (8) respect for the evolving capacities of children with disabilities and
respect for the right of children with disabilities to preserve their identities
● In terms of its monitoring mechanisms, CRPD stipulates both national and international
monitoring systems.
● Key rights stipulated in CRPD, and it is imperative that all of these rights be protected
and promoted, along with any other rights that all people including persons with
disabilities are born with.
Interrelationship between CRPD and SDGs
● Transforming Our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable
Development and SDGs (UN, 2015c), which has 17 goals and 169
targets, are the international community’s pledge to collectively make
the world better and more sustainable by 2030.
● The key principle of the 2030 Agenda and SDGs is to “leave no one
behind,”.
● Both SDGs and CRPD are indispensable mechanisms in realizing a
world that “leaves no one behind,” and SDGs cannot be achieved
without incorporating the disability perspective and improving
inclusion and accessibility for persons with disabilities.
Recent and Current Efforts in the Field of
Disabilities
The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030 (UN, 2015a), adopted at
the 3rd World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (WCDRR), emphasizes
empowerment and inclusive, accessible, and nondiscriminatory participation, paying
special attention to people disproportionately affected by disasters.

In the Addis Ababa Action Agenda (UN, 2015b), adopted at the Third International
Conference on Financing for Development in July 2015, a disability perspective was
incorporated in the context of financing for development as an indispensable component
by Member States.

The World Humanitarian Summit in 2016 in Istanbul also addressed the importance of
including persons with disabilities, in particular, in humanitarian action.
Nexus with Mental Health and Psychosocial
Well-Being
● Persons with mental health conditions or psychosocial disabilities have been
particularly marginalized from society, and there exist persistent stigma and
discrimination as well as barriers preventing them from fully participating in
society.
● Discussions on mental health conditions or psychosocial disabilities contributed to
changes in perception in the international community, including the UN system.
● Just as with any other types of disabilities, the medical model was a predominant
framework within which health professionals provided “medical treatment” only to
persons with mental health conditions or psychosocial disabilities.
● This scarcity of options other than “medical treatment” was problematic to fully
support persons with mental health conditions or psychosocial disabilities.
Nexus with Mental Health and Psychosocial
Well-Being
● (Global Ministerial Mental Health Summit, 2018), the participants declared that
they would commit to “mental health promotion and prevention”; “resourcing and
provision”; “challenging stigma and discrimination”; “empowering people”; and
“data, innovation and science.”
● In addition, the meeting provided recommendations, which were given in six
categories: children, young people, and the now generation; a caring society: a
focus on prevention and wellbeing; the economics of, and investment in, mental
health finance; a just society: supporting societal shifts, tackling stigma and
discrimination, creating inclusive societies; mental health services around the
world; and research and the future of mental health.
● These developments reflect the fact that advocacy for mental health and
well-being has been gaining momentum and that a rights-based approach has
become the cornerstone in approaching issues related to mental health and
well-being.
The Way Forward
● Persons with disabilities, including persons with mental health conditions or
psychosocial disabilities, have faced a number of barriers despite global efforts to
fully include persons with disabilities.
● On the other hand, the adoption of CRPD, coupled with SDGs and other key global
agreements that are well informed by the disability perspective, has certainly
contributed in a number of ways to the realization of the rights of persons with
disabilities.
● First, constructive partnership with respect for different ideas and opinions as part
of diversity.
● Second, in addition to being open to different voices, it is imperative to be aware
that not everyone is raising their voices.
The Way Forward

● Third, when discussing the inclusion of persons with disabilities, the

focus is often on those with disabilities, and attention is not paid to
individuals who may be willing to provide support.
● Fourth, mental health and well-being should be incorporated into
monitoring and evaluation systems as a key indicator of peace and
security, development, and human rights.
● Finally, the mental health and well-being of persons with disabilities
need to be incorporated and integrated into disability policies on all
levels.