UN adopts Convention on Rights of People with Disabilities

Deaf children have the same human rights as all other children. Human rights are universal. But, in practice those rights are violated or neglected in almost all areas of their lives. The new Convention seeks to introduce new obligations on governments and other duty bearers to take all the measures necessary to ensure that all their rights are fulfilled, protected and respected.

We are interested to find out more about what you think of the UN Convention and how it could be used as an advocacy tool in your work.

Why not tell us about your ideas or efforts to ensure the ratification and implementation of the convention in their country.

Why not post your ideas as a comment on this page or if you have more to say - you could submit a Learning from Experience case study

Tell us what you think about Article 23, which gives children with disabilities equal rights with respect to family life and states that children should not be separated from his or her parents on the basis of a disability.

How might deaf children be denied this right? What can your organisation do to contribute to this right becoming a reality?

What needs to happen in your country for Article 24,  to become a reality?

Article 24 gives persons with disabilities the right to access an inclusive, quality and free primary education and secondary education on an equal basis with others in the communities in which they live. This includes a responsibility to facilitate the learning of sign language and the promotion of the linguistic identity of the deaf community.

Working together with other organisations is essential to achive Article 32,. This asks states to include measures to ensure that international cooperation, including international development programmes, is inclusive of and accessible to persons with disabilities.

We would love to hear examples from your country of inclusive community development that has taken into account the needs of deaf children.