News Stories
UN rights chief stresses need to promote employment of persons with disabilities
6 March 2013 - The United Nations human rights chief today called for promoting the employment of persons with disabilities and removing the obstacles that impede them from working on an equal basis with others.
More people than ever have hearing loss that can be improved or treated, UN reports
27 February 2013 - More than 360 million people have disabling hearing loss, according to new global estimates released by the United Nations World Health Organization (WHO), which adds that production of hearing aids is not keeping up with the urgent demand.
On International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Ban calls for new push to improve access to society
3 December 2012 - Highlighting the need to guarantee disabled people equal access to services and opportunities worldwide, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today called for a new global push aimed at “creating societies that value diversity and inclusion.”
Annual United Nations event gives boost to international treaties, rule of law
2 October 2012 - Forty States either signed or ratified international treaties on a range of issues, from protecting children from violence to promoting the rights of persons with disabilities, during the annual high-level event that accompanies the opening of the United Nations General Assembly.
Seeking to advance rights of people with disabilities, UN treaty review starts in New York
12 September 2012 - Hundreds of advocates and experts on disability, as well as Government delegates, have gathered at UN Headquarters for the start of the Fifth Session of the Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), which will have a special focus on women and children.
UN official hails 2012 Paralympic Games as celebration of inclusion
29 August 2012 - With the 2012 London Paralympic Games only hours away from their torch-lighting ceremony, a senior United Nations official has lauded the sporting event for its celebration of inclusion and empowerment of persons with disabilities.
UN expert urges US authorities to stop execution of two persons with disabilities
17 July 2012 - An independent United Nations human rights expert has urged United States authorities to stop the execution of two people with psychosocial disabilities who are scheduled to be put to death tomorrow in the states of Georgia and Texas.
Children with disabilities more likely to face violence, says UN-backed study
12 July 2012 - Children with disabilities are almost four times more likely to experience violence than those without disabilities, according to a review commissioned by the United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) that calls for urgent action to protect the rights of this vulnerable group.
UNICEF calls for promoting rights of children with disabilities in Africa
16 June 2012 - The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) is marking this year's Day of the African Child with a call to families, communities and governments on the continent to protect children with disabilities from discrimination, violence and neglect.
UN rights chief calls for boosting political participation of persons with disabilities
1 March 2012 - The United Nations human rights chief today called for the removal of barriers that prevent the participation of persons with disabilities in political life and public affairs.