COMPILATION OF INTERNATIONAL NORMS
AND STANDARDS RELATING TO DISABILITY

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C. INTERNATIONAL NORMS AND STANDARDS IN SUBJECT ORDER

3.4 Social Integration

The overall purpose of disability policy is to promote social integration of disabled persons. Thus, the principle of social integration, with the aim of creating equal opportunities in society for all, is incorporated in all major instruments related to disability issues.

Paragraph 9 of the Declaration on the Rights of Disabled Persons confers that the disabled persons have the right to live with their families or with foster parents and to participate in all social activities. Article 23 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child asks States Parties to ensure that disabled children enjoy conditions which facilitate the child's active participation in the community. Under Commitment 4 of The Copenhagen Declaration and Programme of Action, States commit themselves to promote social integration. And under Commitment 1, States commit themselves to creating accessibility to the social environment for persons with disabilities.

Paragraph 22 and 63 of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action provides that States should ensure the active participation of persons with disabilities in all aspects of society.

The overall aim of The Standard Rules on the Equalization of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities is the social integration of persons with disabilities by creating equal opportunities in all fields of society. The main goal of the World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons is also to create equal opportunities for persons with disabilities and thus integrate them into society.

3.4.1 Right to Participate in Cultural Activities

Full participation in the basic units of society is the essence of human experience and, at least, social integration. The right to equality of opportunity for such participation should apply to all people, including those with disabilities. In reality, however, disabled persons are often denied the opportunities of full participation in the activities of the socio-cultural system of which they are apart. This deprivation comes about through physical and social barriers that have evolved from ignorance, indifference and fear.

Many disabled persons are excluded from active participation in society because of doorways that are too narrow for wheelchairs; steps that cannot be mounted leading to buildings, buses, trains and aircraft; telephones and light switches that cannot be reached; sanitary facilities that cannot be used. Similarly, other types of barriers can exclude persons with disabilities, for example, oral communication, which ignores the needs of the hearing impaired and written information, which ignores the needs of the visually impaired. Such barriers are the result of the ignorance and lack of concern; they exist despite the fact that most of them could be avoided at no great cost by careful planning. Although some countries have enacted legislation and launched campaigns of public education to eliminate obstacles, the problem remains a crucial one.

Generally, existing services, facilities and social actions for the prevention of impairment, the rehabilitation of disabled persons and their integration into society are closely linked to the Governments’ and society’s willingness and ability to allocate resources, income and services to disadvantaged population groups.

3.4.2 Religious Activities

A right to freedom of religion is contained in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Article 18 confers that everyone shall have the right to freedom of religion. This right includes freedom to change one's religion or belief, and freedom to manifest one's religion or belief. Article 9 of the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms confers the right to freedom of religion. And article 12 of the American Convention on Human Rights confers the right to freedom of religion. Also, the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights guarantees free practice of religion (article 8).

A right to religion is contained also in International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (article 18). This right shall include freedom to have or to adopt a religion or belief of his choice, and freedom, either individually or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in worship, observance, practice and teaching.

Article 14 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child grants a right to freedom of religion for children. Freedom to manifest one’s religion or belief may be subject only to such limitations as are prescribed by law and are necessary to protect public safety, order, health or morals, or the fundamental rights and freedom of others.

Paragraph 48 of the United Nations Rules for the Protection of Juveniles Deprived of their Liberty states that every juvenile should be allowed to satisfy the needs of his or her religious and spiritual life.

Rule 12 of The Standard Rules on the Equalization of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities provides that States must encourage measures for equal participation by persons with disabilities in the religious life of their communities.

Paragraph 136 of the World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons provides that States must ensure that persons with disabilities are able to fully participate in the religious life of the community.

3.4.3 Cultural Activities

Article 27 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights confers a general right to participate in cultural life of the community. A right to participate in cultural life is contained in the Additional Protocol to the American Convention on Human Rights in the Area of Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights. Article 14 outlines the right of everyone to take part in the cultural and artistic life of the community. Article 17 (2) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights guarantees a right to every individual to take part in the cultural life of his community.

Article 15 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights recognises the right of everyone to take part in cultural life. This right is violated, for example, when access is not possible to facilities in which cultural activities take place (cinemas, theatres, libraries, sport stadiums, museums, etc), and when disabled persons are excluded on account of prejudices in respect of their ability to participate.

Rule 10 of The Standard Rules on the Equalization of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities provides that States must ensure that persons with disabilities are integrated into and can participate in cultural activities on an equal basis.

The World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons in its paragraph 135, provides that States should commit themselves to ensure that disabled persons have the opportunity to utilise their creative, artistic and intellectual potential to the full, not only for their own benefit but also for the enrichment of the community. To this end, access to cultural activities should de ensured.

4. Accessibility to Information Technology

Disabled persons are often denied the opportunities of full participation in the socio-cultural system of which they are part. Physical, social, economic and psychological barriers have contributed adversely to integration of disabled persons in the community. Legislation is required to set standards for a sufficient access to information technology that take account of the needs of the disabled.

4.1 Summary of Accessibility Standard Information

Country Type of Information § South Africa CIB Expert Seminar Paper § Zambia CIB Expert Seminar Paper § Philippines Accessibility Standards § Singapore Accessibility Standards § Russia Standards available in Russian (purchase by mail order) § Sao Paulo, Brazil Legislation supporting accessibility (no standards)

The majority of information exchanges and resources that we have encountered are based on the experience of the industrialized countries. As member States adopt initiatives to implement the UN’s priority issue of accessibility, as set forth in the Standard Rules among other documents, there is an evident need to expand traditional definitions of accessibility solutions and develop effective and realistic accessibility policy options for developing countries. Based on our research, we believe that a virtual venue must be established to facilitate the exchange information among policy makers, the disabled community and the building industry on accessibility issues to explore the particular requirements of creating barrier free environments in all nations.

4.2 Resource list

Copyright © United Nations / Division for Social Policy and Development
Updated: 28 November 2003. Comments and suggestions: ito@un.org