Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

Preamble

The States Parties to the present Convention,

a. Recalling the principles proclaimed in the Charter of the United Nations which

recognize the inherent dignity and worth and the equal and inalienable rights of all

members of the human family as the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the

world,

b. Recognizing that the United Nations, in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

and in the International Covenants on Human Rights, has proclaimed and agreed that

everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth therein, without distinction

of any kind,

c. Reaffirming the universality, indivisibility, interdependence and interrelatedness of all

human rights and fundamental freedoms and the need for persons with disabilities to

be guaranteed their full enjoyment without discrimination,

d. Recalling the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the International Convention on

the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, the Convention on the

Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, the Convention against

Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, the

Convention on the Rights of the Child, and the International Convention on the

Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families,

e. Recognizing that disability is an evolving concept and that disability results from the

interaction between persons with impairments and attitudinal and environmental

barriers that hinders their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis

with others,

f. Recognizing the importance of the principles and policy guidelines contained in the

World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons and in the Standard Rules

on the Equalization of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities in influencing the

promotion, formulation and evaluation of the policies, plans, programmes and actions

at the national, regional and international levels to further equalize opportunities for

persons with disabilities,

g. Emphasizing the importance of mainstreaming disability issues as an integral part of

relevant strategies of sustainable development,

h. Recognizing also that discrimination against any person on the basis of disability is a

violation of the inherent dignity and worth of the human person,

i. Recognizing further the diversity of persons with disabilities,

j. Recognizing the need to promote and protect the human rights of all persons with

disabilities, including those who require more intensive support,

k. Concerned that, despite these various instruments and undertakings, persons with

disabilities continue to face barriers in their participation as equal members of society

and violations of their human rights in all parts of the world,

l. Recognizing the importance of international cooperation for improving the living

conditions of persons with disabilities in every country, particularly in developing

countries,

m. Recognizing the valued existing and potential contributions made by persons with

disabilities to the overall well-being and diversity of their communities, and that the

promotion of the full enjoyment by persons with disabilities of their human rights and

fundamental freedoms and of full participation by persons with disabilities will result in

their enhanced sense of belonging and in significant advances in the human, social

and economic development of society and the eradication of poverty,

n. Recognizing the importance for persons with disabilities of their individual autonomy

and independence, including the freedom to make their own choices,

o. Considering that persons with disabilities should have the opportunity to be actively

involved in decision-making processes about policies and programmes, including

those directly concerning them,

p. Concerned about the difficult conditions faced by persons with disabilities who are

subject to multiple or aggravated forms of discrimination on the basis of race, colour,

sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national, ethnic, indigenous or social

origin, property, birth, age or other status,

q. Recognizing that women and girls with disabilities are often at greater risk, both within

and outside the home, of violence, injury or abuse, neglect or negligent treatment,

maltreatment or exploitation,

r. Recognizing that children with disabilities should have full enjoyment of all human

rights and fundamental freedoms on an equal basis with other children, and recalling

obligations to that end undertaken by States Parties to the Convention on the Rights

of the Child,

s. Emphasizing the need to incorporate a gender perspective in all efforts to promote

the full enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms by persons with

disabilities,

t. Highlighting the fact that the majority of persons with disabilities live in conditions of

poverty, and in this regard recognizing the critical need to address the negative

impact of poverty on persons with disabilities,

u. Bearing in mind that conditions of peace and security based on full respect for the

purposes and principles contained in the Charter of the United Nations and

observance of applicable human rights instruments are indispensable for the full

protection of persons with disabilities, in particular during armed conflicts and foreign

occupation,

v. Recognizing the importance of accessibility to the physical, social, economic and

cultural environment, to health and education and to information and communication,

in enabling persons with disabilities to fully enjoy all human rights and fundamental

freedoms,

w. Realizing that the individual, having duties to other individuals and to the community

to which he or she belongs, is under a responsibility to strive for the promotion and

observance of the rights recognized in the International Bill of Human Rights,

x. Convinced that the family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society and is

entitled to protection by society and the State, and that persons with disabilities and

their family members should receive the necessary protection and assistance to

enable families to contribute towards the full and equal enjoyment of the rights of

persons with disabilities,

y. Convinced that a comprehensive and integral international convention to promote and

protect the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities will make a significant

contribution to redressing the profound social disadvantage of persons with

disabilities and promote their participation in the civil, political, economic, social and

cultural spheres with equal opportunities, in both developing and developed

countries,

Have agreed as follows:

Article 1

Purpose

The purpose of the present Convention is to promote, protect and ensure the full and equal

enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by all persons with disabilities, and

to promote respect for their inherent dignity.

Persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual or

sensory impairments which in interaction with various barriers may hinder their full and

effective participation in society on an equal basis with others.

Article 2

Definitions

For the purposes of the present Convention:

"Communication" includes languages, display of text, Braille, tactile communication, large

print, accessible multimedia as well as written, audio, plain-language, human-reader and

augmentative and alternative modes, means and formats of communication, including

accessible information and communication technology;

"Language" includes spoken and signed languages and other forms of non spoken

languages;

"Discrimination on the basis of disability" means any distinction, exclusion or restriction on

the basis of disability which has the purpose or effect of impairing or nullifying the

recognition, enjoyment or exercise, on an equal basis with others, of all human rights and

fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural, civil or any other field. It

includes all forms of discrimination, including denial of reasonable accommodation;

"Reasonable accommodation" means necessary and appropriate modification and

adjustments not imposing a disproportionate or undue burden, where needed in a particular

case, to ensure to persons with disabilities the enjoyment or exercise on an equal basis with

others of all human rights and fundamental freedoms;

"Universal design" means the design of products, environments, programmes and services to

be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or

specialized design. "Universal design" shall not exclude assistive devices for particular

groups of persons with disabilities where this is needed.

Article 3

General principles

The principles of the present Convention shall be:

a. Respect for inherent dignity, individual autonomy including the freedom to make one's

own choices, and independence of persons;

b. Non-discrimination;

c. Full and effective participation and inclusion in society;

d. Respect for difference and acceptance of persons with disabilities as part of human

diversity and humanity;

e. Equality of opportunity;

f. Accessibility;

g. Equality between men and women;

h. Respect for the evolving capacities of children with disabilities and respect for the

right of children with disabilities to preserve their identities.

Article 4

General obligations

1. States Parties undertake to ensure and promote the full realization of all human rights

and fundamental freedoms for all persons with disabilities without discrimination of

any kind on the basis of disability. To this end, States Parties undertake:

a. To adopt all appropriate legislative, administrative and other measures for the

implementation of the rights recognized in the present Convention;

b. To take all appropriate measures, including legislation, to modify or abolish

existing laws, regulations, customs and practices that constitute discrimination

against persons with disabilities;

c. To take into account the protection and promotion of the human rights of

persons with disabilities in all policies and programmes;

d. To refrain from engaging in any act or practice that is inconsistent with the

present Convention and to ensure that public authorities and institutions act in

conformity with the present Convention;

e. To take all appropriate measures to eliminate discrimination on the basis of

disability by any person, organization or private enterprise;

f. To undertake or promote research and development of universally designed

goods, services, equipment and facilities, as defined in article 2 of the present

Convention, which should require the minimum possible adaptation and the

least cost to meet the specific needs of a person with disabilities, to promote

their availability and use, and to promote universal design in the development

of standards and guidelines;

g. To undertake or promote research and development of, and to promote the

availability and use of new technologies, including information and

communications technologies, mobility aids, devices and assistive

technologies, suitable for persons with disabilities, giving priority to

technologies at an affordable cost;

h. To provide accessible information to persons with disabilities about mobility

aids, devices and assistive technologies, including new technologies, as well

as other forms of assistance, support services and facilities;

i. To promote the training of professionals and staff working with persons with

disabilities in the rights recognized in the present Convention so as to better

provide the assistance and services guaranteed by those rights.

2. With regard to economic, social and cultural rights, each State Party undertakes to

take measures to the maximum of its available resources and, where needed, within

the framework of international cooperation, with a view to achieving progressively the

full realization of these rights, without prejudice to those obligations contained in the

present Convention that are immediately applicable according to international law.

3. In the development and implementation of legislation and policies to implement the

present Convention, and in other decision-making processes concerning issues

relating to persons with disabilities, States Parties shall closely consult with and

actively involve persons with disabilities, including children with disabilities, through

their representative organizations.

4. Nothing in the present Convention shall affect any provisions which are more

conducive to the realization of the rights of persons with disabilities and which may be

contained in the law of a State Party or international law in force for that State. There

shall be no restriction upon or derogation from any of the human rights and

fundamental freedoms recognized or existing in any State Party to the present

Convention pursuant to law, conventions, regulation or custom on the pretext that the

present Convention does not recognize such rights or freedoms or that it recognizes

them to a lesser extent.

5. The provisions of the present Convention shall extend to all parts of federal States

without any limitations or exceptions.

Article 5

Equality and non-discrimination

1. States Parties recognize that all persons are equal before and under the law and are

entitled without any discrimination to the equal protection and equal benefit of the law.

2. States Parties shall prohibit all discrimination on the basis of disability and guarantee

to persons with disabilities equal and effective legal protection against discrimination

on all grounds.

3. In order to promote equality and eliminate discrimination, States Parties shall take all

appropriate steps to ensure that reasonable accommodation is provided.

4. Specific measures which are necessary to accelerate or achieve de facto equality of

persons with disabilities shall not be considered discrimination under the terms of the

present Convention.

Article 6

Women with disabilities

1. States Parties recognize that women and girls with disabilities are subject to multiple

discrimination, and in this regard shall take measures to ensure the full and equal

enjoyment by them of all human rights and fundamental freedoms.

2. States Parties shall take all appropriate measures to ensure the full development,

advancement and empowerment of women, for the purpose of guaranteeing them the

exercise and enjoyment of the human rights and fundamental freedoms set out in the

present Convention.

Article 7

Children with disabilities

1. States Parties shall take all necessary measures to ensure the full enjoyment by

children with disabilities of all human rights and fundamental freedoms on an equal

basis with other children.

2. In all actions concerning children with disabilities, the best interests of the child shall

be a primary consideration.

3. States Parties shall ensure that children with disabilities have the right to express

their views freely on all matters affecting them, their views being given due weight in

accordance with their age and maturity, on an equal basis with other children, and to

be provided with disability and age-appropriate assistance to realize that right.

Article 8

Awareness-raising

1. States Parties undertake to adopt immediate, effective and appropriate measures:

a. To raise awareness throughout society, including at the family level, regarding

persons with disabilities, and to foster respect for the rights and dignity of

persons with disabilities;

b. To combat stereotypes, prejudices and harmful practices relating to persons

with disabilities, including those based on sex and age, in all areas of life;

c. To promote awareness of the capabilities and contributions of persons with

disabilities.

2. Measures to this end include:

a. Initiating and maintaining effective public awareness campaigns designed:

i. To nurture receptiveness to the rights of persons with disabilities;

ii. To promote positive perceptions and greater social awareness towards

persons with disabilities;

iii. To promote recognition of the skills, merits and abilities of persons with

disabilities, and of their contributions to the workplace and the labour

market;

b. Fostering at all levels of the education system, including in all children from an

early age, an attitude of respect for the rights of persons with disabilities;

c. Encouraging all organs of the media to portray persons with disabilities in a

manner consistent with the purpose of the present Convention;

d. Promoting awareness-training programmes regarding persons with disabilities

and the rights of persons with disabilities.

Article 9

Accessibility

1. To enable persons with disabilities to live independently and participate fully in all

aspects of life, States Parties shall take appropriate measures to ensure to persons

with disabilities access, on an equal basis with others, to the physical environment, to

transportation, to information and communications, including information and

communications technologies and systems, and to other facilities and services open

or provided to the public, both in urban and in rural areas. These measures, which

shall include the identification and elimination of obstacles and barriers to

accessibility, shall apply to, inter alia:

a. Buildings, roads, transportation and other indoor and outdoor facilities,

including schools, housing, medical facilities and workplaces;

b. Information, communications and other services, including electronic services

and emergency services.

2. States Parties shall also take appropriate measures:

a. To develop, promulgate and monitor the implementation of minimum

standards and guidelines for the accessibility of facilities and services open or

provided to the public;

b. To ensure that private entities that offer facilities and services which are open

or provided to the public take into account all aspects of accessibility for

persons with disabilities;

c. To provide training for stakeholders on accessibility issues facing persons with

disabilities;

d. To provide in buildings and other facilities open to the public signage in Braille

and in easy to read and understand forms;

e. To provide forms of live assistance and intermediaries, including guides,

readers and professional sign language interpreters, to facilitate accessibility

to buildings and other facilities open to the public;

f. To promote other appropriate forms of assistance and support to persons with

disabilities to ensure their access to information;

g. To promote access for persons with disabilities to new information and

communications technologies and systems, including the Internet;

h. To promote the design, development, production and distribution of accessible

information and communications technologies and systems at an early stage,

so that these technologies and systems become accessible at minimum cost.

Article 10

Right to life

States Parties reaffirm that every human being has the inherent right to life and shall take all

necessary measures to ensure its effective enjoyment by persons with disabilities on an

equal basis with others.

Article 11

Situations of risk and humanitarian emergencies

States Parties shall take, in accordance with their obligations under international law,

including international humanitarian law and international human rights law, all necessary

measures to ensure the protection and safety of persons with disabilities in situations of risk,

including situations of armed conflict, humanitarian emergencies and the occurrence of

natural disasters.

Article 12

Equal recognition before the law

1. States Parties reaffirm that persons with disabilities have the right to recognition

everywhere as persons before the law.

2. States Parties shall recognize that persons with disabilities enjoy legal capacity on an

equal basis with others in all aspects of life.

3. States Parties shall take appropriate measures to provide access by persons with

disabilities to the support they may require in exercising their legal capacity.

4. States Parties shall ensure that all measures that relate to the exercise of legal

capacity provide for appropriate and effective safeguards to prevent abuse in

accordance with international human rights law. Such safeguards shall ensure that

measures relating to the exercise of legal capacity respect the rights, will and

preferences of the person, are free of conflict of interest and undue influence, are

proportional and tailored to the person's circumstances, apply for the shortest time

possible and are subject to regular review by a competent, independent and impartial

authority or judicial body. The safeguards shall be proportional to the degree to which

such measures affect the person's rights and interests.

5. Subject to the provisions of this article, States Parties shall take all appropriate and

effective measures to ensure the equal right of persons with disabilities to own or

inherit property, to control their own financial affairs and to have equal access to bank

loans, mortgages and other forms of financial credit, and shall ensure that persons

with disabilities are not arbitrarily deprived of their property.

Article 13

Access to justice

1. States Parties shall ensure effective access to justice for persons with disabilities on

an equal basis with others, including through the provision of procedural and ageappropriate

accommodations, in order to facilitate their effective role as direct and

indirect participants, including as witnesses, in all legal proceedings, including at

investigative and other preliminary stages.

2. In order to help to ensure effective access to justice for persons with disabilities,

States Parties shall promote appropriate training for those working in the field of

administration of justice, including police and prison staff.

Article 14

Liberty and security of person

1. States Parties shall ensure that persons with disabilities, on an equal basis with

others:

a. Enjoy the right to liberty and security of person;

b. Are not deprived of their liberty unlawfully or arbitrarily, and that any

deprivation of liberty is in conformity with the law, and that the existence of a

disability shall in no case justify a deprivation of liberty.

2. States Parties shall ensure that if persons with disabilities are deprived of their liberty

through any process, they are, on an equal basis with others, entitled to guarantees

in accordance with international human rights law and shall be treated in compliance

with the objectives and principles of the present Convention, including by provision of

reasonable accommodation.

Article 15

Freedom from torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment

1. No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or

punishment. In particular, no one shall be subjected without his or her free consent to

medical or scientific experimentation.

2. States Parties shall take all effective legislative, administrative, judicial or other

measures to prevent persons with disabilities, on an equal basis with others, from

being subjected to torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.

Article 16

Freedom from exploitation, violence and abuse

1. States Parties shall take all appropriate legislative, administrative, social, educational

and other measures to protect persons with disabilities, both within and outside the

home, from all forms of exploitation, violence and abuse, including their gender-based

aspects.

2. States Parties shall also take all appropriate measures to prevent all forms of

exploitation, violence and abuse by ensuring, inter alia, appropriate forms of genderand

age-sensitive assistance and support for persons with disabilities and their

families and caregivers, including through the provision of information and education

on how to avoid, recognize and report instances of exploitation, violence and abuse.

States Parties shall ensure that protection services are age-, gender- and disabilitysensitive.

3. In order to prevent the occurrence of all forms of exploitation, violence and abuse,

States Parties shall ensure that all facilities and programmes designed to serve

persons with disabilities are effectively monitored by independent authorities.

4. States Parties shall take all appropriate measures to promote the physical, cognitive

and psychological recovery, rehabilitation and social reintegration of persons with

disabilities who become victims of any form of exploitation, violence or abuse,

including through the provision of protection services. Such recovery and

reintegration shall take place in an environment that fosters the health, welfare, selfrespect,

dignity and autonomy of the person and takes into account gender- and agespecific

needs.

5. States Parties shall put in place effective legislation and policies, including womenand

child-focused legislation and policies, to ensure that instances of exploitation,

violence and abuse against persons with disabilities are identified, investigated and,

where appropriate, prosecuted.

Article 17

Protecting the integrity of the person

Every person with disabilities has a right to respect for his or her physical and mental

integrity on an equal basis with others.

Article 18

Liberty of movement and nationality

1. States Parties shall recognize the rights of persons with disabilities to liberty of

movement, to freedom to choose their residence and to a nationality, on an equal

basis with others, including by ensuring that persons with disabilities:

a. Have the right to acquire and change a nationality and are not deprived of

their nationality arbitrarily or on the basis of disability;

b. Are not deprived, on the basis of disability, of their ability to obtain, possess

and utilize documentation of their nationality or other documentation of

identification, or to utilize relevant processes such as immigration

proceedings, that may be needed to facilitate exercise of the right to liberty of

movement;

c. Are free to leave any country, including their own;

d. Are not deprived, arbitrarily or on the basis of disability, of the right to enter

their own country.

2. Children with disabilities shall be registered immediately after birth and shall have the

right from birth to a name, the right to acquire a nationality and, as far as possible, the

right to know and be cared for by their parents.

Article 19

Living independently and being included in the community

States Parties to the present Convention recognize the equal right of all persons with

disabilities to live in the community, with choices equal to others, and shall take effective and

appropriate measures to facilitate full enjoyment by persons with disabilities of this right and

their full inclusion and participation in the community, including by ensuring that:

a. Persons with disabilities have the opportunity to choose their place of residence and

where and with whom they live on an equal basis with others and are not obliged to

live in a particular living arrangement;

b. Persons with disabilities have access to a range of in-home, residential and other

community support services, including personal assistance necessary to support

living and inclusion in the community, and to prevent isolation or segregation from the

community;

c. Community services and facilities for the general population are available on an equal

basis to persons with disabilities and are responsive to their needs.

Article 20

Personal mobility

States Parties shall take effective measures to ensure personal mobility with the greatest

possible independence for persons with disabilities, including by:

a. Facilitating the personal mobility of persons with disabilities in the manner and at the

time of their choice, and at affordable cost;

b. Facilitating access by persons with disabilities to quality mobility aids, devices,

assistive technologies and forms of live assistance and intermediaries, including by

making them available at affordable cost;

c. Providing training in mobility skills to persons with disabilities and to specialist staff

working with persons with disabilities;

d. Encouraging entities that produce mobility aids, devices and assistive technologies to

take into account all aspects of mobility for persons with disabilities.

Article 21

Freedom of expression and opinion, and access to information

States Parties shall take all appropriate measures to ensure that persons with disabilities can

exercise the right to freedom of expression and opinion, including the freedom to seek,

receive and impart information and ideas on an equal basis with others and through all forms

of communication of their choice, as defined in article 2 of the present Convention, including

by:

a. Providing information intended for the general public to persons with disabilities in

accessible formats and technologies appropriate to different kinds of disabilities in a

timely manner and without additional cost;

b. Accepting and facilitating the use of sign languages, Braille, augmentative and

alternative communication, and all other accessible means, modes and formats of

communication of their choice by persons with disabilities in official interactions;

c. Urging private entities that provide services to the general public, including through

the Internet, to provide information and services in accessible and usable formats for

persons with disabilities;

d. Encouraging the mass media, including providers of information through the Internet,

to make their services accessible to persons with disabilities;

e. Recognizing and promoting the use of sign languages.

Article 22

Respect for privacy

1. No person with disabilities, regardless of place of residence or living arrangements,

shall be subjected to arbitrary or unlawful interference with his or her privacy, family,

home or correspondence or other types of communication or to unlawful attacks on

his or her honour and reputation. Persons with disabilities have the right to the

protection of the law against such interference or attacks.

2. States Parties shall protect the privacy of personal, health and rehabilitation

information of persons with disabilities on an equal basis with others.

Article 23

Respect for home and the family

1. States Parties shall take effective and appropriate measures to eliminate

discrimination against persons with disabilities in all matters relating to marriage,

family, parenthood and relationships, on an equal basis with others, so as to ensure

that:

a. The right of all persons with disabilities who are of marriageable age to marry

and to found a family on the basis of free and full consent of the intending

spouses is recognized;

b. The rights of persons with disabilities to decide freely and responsibly on the

number and spacing of their children and to have access to age-appropriate

information, reproductive and family planning education are recognized, and

the means necessary to enable them to exercise these rights are provided;

c. Persons with disabilities, including children, retain their fertility on an equal

basis with others.

2. States Parties shall ensure the rights and responsibilities of persons with disabilities,

with regard to guardianship, wardship, trusteeship, adoption of children or similar

institutions, where these concepts exist in national legislation; in all cases the best

interests of the child shall be paramount. States Parties shall render appropriate

assistance to persons with disabilities in the performance of their child-rearing

responsibilities.

3. States Parties shall ensure that children with disabilities have equal rights with

respect to family life. With a view to realizing these rights, and to prevent

concealment, abandonment, neglect and segregation of children with disabilities,

States Parties shall undertake to provide early and comprehensive information,

services and support to children with disabilities and their families.

4. States Parties shall ensure that a child shall not be separated from his or her parents

against their will, except when competent authorities subject to judicial review

determine, in accordance with applicable law and procedures, that such separation is

necessary for the best interests of the child. In no case shall a child be separated

from parents on the basis of a disability of either the child or one or both of the

parents.

5. States Parties shall, where the immediate family is unable to care for a child with

disabilities, undertake every effort to provide alternative care within the wider family,

and failing that, within the community in a family setting.

Article 24

Education

1. States Parties recognize the right of persons with disabilities to education. With a

view to realizing this right without discrimination and on the basis of equal

opportunity, States Parties shall ensure an inclusive education system at all levels

and lifelong learning directed to:

a. The full development of human potential and sense of dignity and self-worth,

and the strengthening of respect for human rights, fundamental freedoms and

human diversity;

b. The development by persons with disabilities of their personality, talents and

creativity, as well as their mental and physical abilities, to their fullest potential;

c. Enabling persons with disabilities to participate effectively in a free society.

2. In realizing this right, States Parties shall ensure that:

a. Persons with disabilities are not excluded from the general education system

on the basis of disability, and that children with disabilities are not excluded

from free and compulsory primary education, or from secondary education, on

the basis of disability;

b. Persons with disabilities can access an inclusive, quality and free primary

education and secondary education on an equal basis with others in the

communities in which they live;

c. Reasonable accommodation of the individual's requirements is provided;

d. Persons with disabilities receive the support required, within the general

education system, to facilitate their effective education;

e. Effective individualized support measures are provided in environments that

maximize academic and social development, consistent with the goal of full

inclusion.

3. States Parties shall enable persons with disabilities to learn life and social

development skills to facilitate their full and equal participation in education and as

members of the community. To this end, States Parties shall take appropriate

measures, including:

a. Facilitating the learning of Braille, alternative script, augmentative and

alternative modes, means and formats of communication and orientation and

mobility skills, and facilitating peer support and mentoring;

b. Facilitating the learning of sign language and the promotion of the linguistic

identity of the deaf community;

c. Ensuring that the education of persons, and in particular children, who are

blind, deaf or deafblind, is delivered in the most appropriate languages and

modes and means of communication for the individual, and in environments

which maximize academic and social development.

4. In order to help ensure the realization of this right, States Parties shall take

appropriate measures to employ teachers, including teachers with disabilities, who

are qualified in sign language and/or Braille, and to train professionals and staff who

work at all levels of education. Such training shall incorporate disability awareness

and the use of appropriate augmentative and alternative modes, means and formats

of communication, educational techniques and materials to support persons with

disabilities.

5. States Parties shall ensure that persons with disabilities are able to access general

tertiary education, vocational training, adult education and lifelong learning without

discrimination and on an equal basis with others. To this end, States Parties shall

ensure that reasonable accommodation is provided to persons with disabilities.

Article 25

Health

States Parties recognize that persons with disabilities have the right to the enjoyment of the

highest attainable standard of health without discrimination on the basis of disability. States

Parties shall take all appropriate measures to ensure access for persons with disabilities to

health services that are gender-sensitive, including health-related rehabilitation. In particular,

States Parties shall:

a. Provide persons with disabilities with the same range, quality and standard of free or

affordable health care and programmes as provided to other persons, including in the

area of sexual and reproductive health and population-based public health

programmes;

b. Provide those health services needed by persons with disabilities specifically

because of their disabilities, including early identification and intervention as

appropriate, and services designed to minimize and prevent further disabilities,

including among children and older persons;

c. Provide these health services as close as possible to people's own communities,

including in rural areas;

d. Require health professionals to provide care of the same quality to persons with

disabilities as to others, including on the basis of free and informed consent by, inter

alia, raising awareness of the human rights, dignity, autonomy and needs of persons

with disabilities through training and the promulgation of ethical stand