“When inclusion is real, everyone benefits,” UN Secretary-General António Guterres said in his message to mark THE International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
He emphasized that people with disabilities are driving progress that benefits all, highlighting how their leaders have improved disaster preparedness, expanded inclusive education and employment, and ensured that humanitarian responses reach those most at risk.
“Structural failures” persist
The head of the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), Li Jinhua, recalled that at the Second World Summit for Social Development held last month in Doha, the international community reaffirmed that real social progress can only be achieved when everyone is included.
Yet people with disabilities continue to face barriers to integration, including higher multidimensional poverty. They are also twice as likely to be unemployed, in addition to being excluded from an increasingly connected world.
“These are not just statistics. These are structural failures that undermine our collective potential,” he said in a recorded message during a virtual event to commemorate the Day.
Young deaf people at the head of the UN
Participants included representatives from the Deaf Leaders of Tomorrow Foundation (DLTF), an international non-profit organization leading a youth-led pilot initiative on sign language rights at the UN.
This involves training at DTLF, Gallaudet University – the world’s premier institution for deaf and hard of hearing students – and the United Nations Headquarters in New York, so that deaf youth gain a foundation in human rights frameworks, disability rights principles, diplomacy and global advocacy.
The initiative does more than just train young leaders, but it also “strengthens global development, moving from the disability framework to the human rights framework,” Yana Hadjihristova of the DLTF said in sign language.
She urged Member States and UN agencies to integrate sign language rights into all youth settings, adopt a global sign language equity strategy, and ensure that deaf youth play a greater role in decision-making.
“The message we send is simple and powerful,” she said. “Sign language creates leaders. Deaf leaders create inclusion. And when the United Nations promotes equity in sign language, the entire human rights system becomes stronger..”
From commitment to action
In Doha, countries adopted a declaration which sets out “a clear plan” towards the full inclusion and participation of people with disabilities, Li said.
Actions include social policies and integration programs, responding to needs and ensuring inclusive, accessible and equitable health services, housing, education, universal social protection and employment opportunities.
He said UNDESA is fully committed to supporting Member States in transforming their commitments into national policies.
“As we move forward, let us remember that societies that work for people with disabilities are resilient, equitable and prosperous for all, and leave no one behind. »
Advocacy rather than inspiration
In New York, the outgoing United Nations global advocate for people with disabilities in conflict and peacebuilding said he felt he had failed in the role, noting that the situation for this population had not changed.
Photojournalist Gilles Duley, who lost three limbs in Afghanistan, said his job as an advocate is to report stories from the front lines. Yet, as a disabled person, he is often asked to give inspiring talks.
“I am not here to be an inspiration to people. My job is to share stories because the reality on the ground for people with disabilities has not changed,” he said.
“So I feel like I’ve failed in my position here. I feel like it’s gotten very little because I haven’t had the opportunity to truly be an advocate.”
Mr Duley said that too often people with disabilities are presented as inspiring and resilient people, which they are, “but that means the stories of those who are truly vulnerable and left behind are often ignored or forgotten. We cannot idealize the idea of disability.”
Publicado anteriormente en Almouwatin.
