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In August, all 192 member nations of the United Nations agreed to a new treaty to advance and protect the rights of persons with a disability. The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has been involved throughout the process to ensure that the UN delegates understand the value and role sport and recreation have for both individuals and societies.
Within the treaty, it will be recognized that persons with a disability should have a right to participate in sporting activities with a choice between mainstream and disability-specific programmes; have equal access to sporting activities in the school system; and have access to sporting and recreational venues whether as a participant or as a spectator.
UN General Assembly President said that they were conveying to the world “the message that we want to have a life with dignity for all and that all human beings are all equal”.
While the convention does not create new rights, it specifically prohibits discrimination against persons with a disability in all areas of life, including civil rights, access to justice and the right to education, health services and access to transportation.
The convention will be formally sent to the UN General Assembly for adoption at its next session, which begins this month. It will then be open for signing and ratification by all countries.
You can view the drafted treaty here.