International Day of Sign Languages, 23 September 2019
“This International Day recognizes the importance of sign languages for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and fulfilling its core promise of leaving no one behind. It also offers an opportunity to support and protect the linguistic identity and cultural diversity of all sign language users.” — UN Secretary-General António Guterres According to the World Federation of […]
UN Security Council adopted its first-ever resolution on protection of persons with disabilities in conflict
Acting unanimously today, the Security Council adopted its first-ever resolution calling upon Member States and parties to armed conflict to protect persons with disabilities in conflict situations and to ensure they have access to justice, basic services and unimpeded humanitarian assistance. By the terms of resolution 2475 (2019), the 15-member Council called upon all parties to armed […]
New Disability Inclusion Strategy is ‘transformative change we need’, says Guterres
“When we fight to secure those rights, we move our world closer to upholding the core values and principles of the United Nations Charter”, he explained. “When we remove policies or biases or obstacles to opportunity for persons with disabilities, the whole world benefits”. To this end, the UN chief said he was launching a […]
12th session of the Conference of States Parties to the CRPD, 11-13 June 2019
The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) was adopted by the General Assembly by its resolution 61/106 of 13 December 2006. It came into force on 3 May 2008 upon the 20th ratification. Article 40 of the Convention stipulates that “The States Parties shall meet regularly in a Conference of States Parties in […]
New UN Report on Disability and Sustainable Development Goals
“The UN Flagship Report on Disability and Development 2018 – Realizing the SDGs by, for and with persons with disabilities shows that people with disabilities are at a disadvantage regarding most Sustainable Development Goals, but also highlights the growing number of good practices that can create a more inclusive society in which they can live independently.” UN […]
World Autism Awareness Day 2 April 2019
“On World Autism Awareness Day, let us reaffirm our commitment to promote the full participation of all people with autism, and ensure they have the necessary support to be able to exercise their rights and fundamental freedoms.” Secretary-General António Guterres Theme: “Assistive Technologies, Active Participation” Tuesday, 2 April 2019 United Nations Headquarters, Trusteeship Council Chamber Autism […]
World Down Syndrome Day, 21 March 2019
Down syndrome is a naturally occurring chromosomal arrangement that has always been a part of the human condition, exists in all regions across the globe and commonly results in variable effects on learning styles, physical characteristics or health. Adequate access to health care, to early intervention programmes and to inclusive education, as well as appropriate […]
First-ever World Braille Day fosters more accessible and disability-inclusive societies
To raise awareness of the importance of Braille for approximately 1.3 billion people living with some form of distance or near vision impairment, on Friday the United Nations is observing the first official World Braille Day. Recognized henceforth each 4 January, the Day was proclaimed by the General Assembly last November, as a means of realizing […]
Disability and Development Report
Disability-inclusive development is an essential condition for a sustainable future. In 2015, the United Nations adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, pledging to leave no one behind in the global efforts to realize the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Resources
Reports, resolutions and other documents related to the UN intergovernmental process from the General Assembly, the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), the Commission for Social Development, the Human Rights Council, and the Inter-Agency Support Group (IASG) for the CRPD.
