Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities – A summary

The following points are very important in the plan:

• Rights (Article 12, Article 18)

Because every person is equally valuable. This is a right that people have because they are human beings. That is why it is called a human right. No one should be disadvantaged. Particular care is taken to ensure that older people, women, children, people of color, or people of a particular religion are not disadvantaged.

But everyone must also obey the law equally. If people with disabilities have problems, they receive support from the state. They then receive assistance, for example from a legal guardian.

• Freedom: (Articles 14, 17)

Every person has the right to freedom. No one should be subjected to violence. Only a court can decide whether someone may be imprisoned or restrained. People must not be mistreated or insulted.

• Freedom of expression (Article 21)

Everyone has freedom of expression. This means that everyone can say what they want. Those who cannot speak need support. This can be sign language, a speech computer, or a speech template, for example.

• Voting (Article 29)

Everyone has the right to be politically active. Everyone has the right to vote for the politicians they think are good and right.

• Housing (Articles 19, 22, and 28)

Everyone has the right to decide where they live. Their place of residence must provide them with enough food and drink, facilities for washing their clothes, and the necessary support. No one is required to live in a residential home. However, for some people, this is a good solution because residential homes provide everything they need and they do not have to be alone.

Everyone has the right to privacy. This is a space where you are not disturbed. You can decorate it however you like.

No one is allowed to open and read your personal letters. This is called privacy of correspondence. Everyone also has the right to make phone calls in private. This is called privacy of telephone communications.

• Accessibility (Article 20)

Everyone must be able to move around on their own as much as possible. Some people need ramps, others need a guide dog, and still others need a personal assistant. Many public buildings still need to be improved so that everyone can enter without difficulty.

Everyone has the right to decide where they want to be. That's why everyone is allowed to go on vacation if they want to. If someone is unable to take care of themselves, a legal guardian will help them.

• Leisure time (Article 30)

Everyone should have the same opportunities for leisure activities. Everyone should be able to go to an outdoor swimming pool, a disco, or a soccer stadium. There should be more information about this in easy-to-understand language.

There should also be more theater, television, and movie offerings in easy-to-understand language.

• Safety (Articles 10, 13)

Everyone has enough money to live on.

Everyone is protected by the police. Everyone has the right to go to court. No one should be beaten, mistreated, or killed.

• School (Article 24)

Everyone has the right to go to school. Learning is important for everyone. That is why children with disabilities and children without disabilities should go to school together.

• Health (Articles 25 and 26)

Everyone has the right to go to the doctor when they are sick and receive treatment. No one who does not want to be treated has to be treated.

No one should be hungry or thirsty.

• Friends and family (Article 23)

Everyone has the right to choose their friends. Everyone also has the right to choose their “significant other” or partner. That is why adults have the right to marry, even if they have a disability. They also have the right to decide for themselves whether they want to have children. If they are unable to care for their children themselves, the state must help them.

• Work (Article 27)

Everyone has the right to work and to learn a profession.

Everyone should be able to decide for themselves where and what they want to work. They can either work in a workshop for people with disabilities or in a company that is not specifically for people with disabilities. The state should advise people with disabilities on what might be suitable for them.

The state should ensure that more companies hire people with disabilities. If they do their work just as well as their non-disabled colleagues, they should also receive the same pay.

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