2006-09-07
Since the adoption of a resolution of the UN General Assembly in 2001 to prepare this convention, intensive negotiations have been taken place between all UN member states. Remarkable is the growing influence of international and national disability organisations themselves, united in the International Disability Caucus.
This convention, an international legal document, will bring, as it was often called, a total "paradigm shift" in the attitude towards all persons with disabilities.
We, deafblind persons in all stages of life, are also involved. We will get the right to individual autonomy, including the right to make our own decisions, legal capacity, respect for the dignity of the person, accessibility rights and, generally spoken, full participation in society.
The convention articles cover all areas of life. This draft text will now go to a drafting committee to streamline it. Afterwards it will be formally approved by the Ad Hoc committee. It will then go to the 3rd committee of the UN General Assembly, which deals with human rights, to be prepared as a proposal to the UN General Assembly.
After the adoption by the UN General Assembly, hopefully in November-December 2006, the process of ratification by individual or groups of states begins. After 20 states have ratified the convention, it will come into force. This will take time, because states have to change national legislation first, before ratifying, unless they have made reservations. An international committee of experts with disabilities will follow the implementation of the convention. Also on a national level such mechanisms will be put in place.
Please, find below a downloadable document with the articles, where deafblind people clearly are involved. Sign languages, Braille and tactile communication will be internationally recognised and also the right for deafblind people to have education in their own settings. A link to the full convention text can also be found below.
Download documents
Articles related to deafblindness (.rtf)
Draft Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (.rtf)