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Article 21 - Freedom of expression and opinion, and access to information
Background Documents | Article 21 Background
Seventh Session | Fifth Session | Fourth Session | Third Session
Working Group | References
Working Group
Draft Article 13
FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION AND OPINION, AND ACCESS TO INFORMATION
States Parties shall take appropriate measures to ensure that persons with disabilities
can exercise their right to freedom of expression and opinion through Braille,
sign language,40 and other modes of communication41 of their choice, and to
seek, receive and impart information, on an equal footing with others, including
by:
a. providing public information to persons with disabilities, on request, in
a timely manner and without additional cost, in accessible formats42 and technologies
of their choice, taking into account different kinds of disability;
b. accepting the use of alternative modes of communication by persons with disabilities
in official interactions;
c. educating persons with disabilities to use alternative and augmentative communication
modes;
d. undertaking and promoting the research, development and production of new
technologies, including information and communication technologies, and assistive
technologies, suitable for persons with disabilities;
e. promoting other appropriate forms of assistance and support to persons with
disabilities to ensure their access to information;43
f. encouraging44 private entities that provide services to the general public
to provide information and services in accessible and usable formats for persons
with disabilities;
g. encouraging the mass media to make their services accessible to persons with
disabilities.
Footnotes:
40: Some members of the Working Group consider that this draft
Article should include a reference to sign language as the natural language
of deaf people in their access to information, communication, services, participation
and education.
41: The Ad Hoc Committee may wish to consider the most appropriate
terms to use in this draft Article. "Mode of communication", "format"
(used in paragraph (a)), and "alternative and augmentative communication
modes" (used in paragraph (c)) have related, but not identical meanings.
42: The Ad Hoc Committee may wish to consider whether it should
include mention of specific formats in this paragraph, such as plain language
or easy-to-read formats.
43: The Ad Hoc Committee may wish to consider expanding this
sub-paragraph to cover the provision and training of live assistance and intermediaries,
such as Braille and caption transcribers, note-takers, sign language and tactile
communication interpreters, and readers.
44: The Ad Hoc Committee may wish to consider whether 'encourage'
is the best term to use in paragraphs (f) and (g).