Speech on international day for disabilities
Answers
On 16 December 1992, the General Assembly of the United Nations appealed to Governments around the world to observe 3 December of each year as International Day of people with disabilities. This is a day to celebrate abilities of people with a disability all over the world. The aim of observing this day each year is to increase awareness, and understanding, of disability issues, and the gains to be derived from the integration of people with a disability in every aspect of life. The nomination and celebration of this day is an important tool in promoting the rights of people with a disability.
But an international day, on its own, is not going to redress the discrimination which Australians with disabilities face throughout our community. Whilst things have improved a lot during the last few decades, the view expressed by the first Disability Discrimination Commissioner Elizabeth Hastings that we swim in a sea of discrimination is still true. So, in my view, the international day should not only be a celebration, but an opportunity for us to pause and look both at what has been achieved, and what is still left to do. That will be the flavour of my speech today.
Internationally, the most important occurrence this year for people with disabilities was the passage by the United Nations General Assembly of the International Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities. The Convention, which almost 120 countries have signed, and 8 have ratified, sets out fundamental rights and freedoms for people with disabilities around the world, in all areas of life. Whilst it won't, in a major way, advance the rights of people with disabilities in Australia (because our laws are already well advanced) the value of an international instrument such as this to people with disabilities around the world cannot be under-estimated.
I don't have time today to talk about all of the provisions of the Convention. But of particular relevance because the focus of this year's international day is decent employment for people with disabilities, is Article 27 of the Convention which deals with work and employment. The article recognises the right to work, in a labour market that is open, inclusive and accessible.
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