In 2016, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) estimated that there were 22.5 million refugees and 65.6 million forcibly displaced persons. This is the highest population of global refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) on record, and it is likely that the number will increase due to conflict and natural disasters. Women’s Refugee… Continue reading Ensuring Access of Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) with Disabilities to Political Life
Scope: National
Individuals with Mental Health, Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and the Criminal Justice System
A number of organizations and institutions in the United States have recognized that people with “invisible disabilities,” such as developmental or mental health disabilities, often face particular barriers when they encounter the criminal justice system. For example, a position statement published by The Arc of the United States says, “People with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities… Continue reading Individuals with Mental Health, Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and the Criminal Justice System
Building Disability Rights through Inclusive Constitutions
An Inclusive Process A variety of processes can be used to draft a constitution. Drafts may be put together by an elected group or proposed by a group selected by the government. While drafting a constitution, a government or other drafting body may convene meetings with civil society. These meetings or workshops are participatory processes which include… Continue reading Building Disability Rights through Inclusive Constitutions
Justicia y derechos humanos: Un feliz encuentro con Freddy en noche buena
Homes, Not Institutions for Children with Disabilities
Institutions are no substitute for living at home and being in the community. This is true for adults with disabilities. As you might imagine, institutions are even worse for children. For people of any age, even in the best possible circumstances, institutions significantly increase the risk for abuse and neglect. UNICEF has noted that children… Continue reading Homes, Not Institutions for Children with Disabilities
Universal Design as Access to Justice
Universal Design Universal Design is the design of products, environments, and communication to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without adaptation or specialized design. Ron Mace, an architect who had polio as a child and used a wheelchair, said Universal Design is “not a new science, a style, or unique in… Continue reading Universal Design as Access to Justice
Setting up a Legal Clinic for People with Disabilities
Most people with disabilities and most families with children with disabilities around the world, including in the United States, do not have access to legal advice from trained lawyers about disability-related matters. This is for several reasons: For example, people with disabilities and their families generally do not have a lot of money, and there… Continue reading Setting up a Legal Clinic for People with Disabilities
Acceso a la justicia es tarea urgente
Increasing Access to Justice for People with Disabilities
Access to justice is the equal ability to fully be heard and to participate in all aspects of the justice system in your country without discrimination on the basis of disability. Discrimination includes bad treatment on the basis of prejudice and stereotypes about disability (for example, that people with mental health disabilities are prone to commit… Continue reading Increasing Access to Justice for People with Disabilities
Cómo se ganó el primer caso guatemalteco de los derechos de las personas con discapacidad
Los derechos de las personas con discapacidad en Guatemala representan una asignatura pendiente, tanto para el Organismo Ejecutivo (encargado de la administración pública) como para el Congreso de la República (desde su función legislativa), lo anterior dado que la corriente de equiparación en derechos humanos de las personas con discapacidad en su legislación vigente aún… Continue reading Cómo se ganó el primer caso guatemalteco de los derechos de las personas con discapacidad