UNCRPD (United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities)
The UNCRPD is an international human rights treaty adopted in 2006, signed and ratified by Australia in 2008.
As a treaty it focuses on protecting the rights of persons with disabilities to ensure they enjoy full equality, fundamental freedoms and shifts the focus from viewing disability as a welfare issue to a human rights issue instead.
As a treaty signatory, Australia is legally bound to promote, protect and ensure the rights of persons with disabilities.
Some of these obligations include:
- Eliminating discrimination by enforcing anti-discrimination legislation such as the disability discrimination act of 1992.
- Ensuring equality for persons with disabilities under the law, guaranteeing they have legal capacity and representation on an equal basis with all members of society.
- Protections against violence and abuse, passing legislation to protect persons with disabilities from exploitation, violence and abuse.
- Guaranteeing accessibility, by removing barriers to physical environments, transportation, information and communication.
- Promoting inclusion and participation, ensuring people with disabilities have equal opportunities in education, employment and public life.