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Friday, 06 March 2009 Last Updated ( Monday, 02 November 2009 )

P. A. law campaign - Stop the Difference

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Campaign Poster

Millions confined to institutions, millions dependent on elderly relatives, a minority living independent lives with choice, control and personal assistance. Stop the difference, make article 19 of the UN Convention a reality. Sign for personal assistance law for all disabled people

Introduction

Article 19 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities says that governments must stop the difference in unequal conditions, stop institutionalization, stop state created dependency and ensure independent living for disabled people.

Article 19 says that all disabled people, not just a minority, should have access to personal assistance as a human right

Article 4 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities says that all States Parties undertake to ensure and promote the full realization of all human rights and fundamental freedoms for all persons with disabilities without discrimination of any kind... To this end:

‘States Parties undertake: to adopt all appropriate legislative, administrative and other measures for the implementation of the rights recognized in the present Convention’

Independent living is a central theme and a specific provision in the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

The case for such a right will become incontestable with the widespread ratification of the Disability Rights Convention.

Article 19: "Living independently and being included in the community" requires governments to take action to facilitate disabled people’s "full enjoyment" of this right and their "full inclusion and participation in the community".

The philosophy of independent living speaks simply about the fact that disabled people have to have equal civil rights and that their freedom of choice and the possibility of managing every aspect of their life must be ensured. Independent living is a concept which underpins the work of disabled people to achieve equal opportunities and full participation in society as equal citizens. Personal assistance is, for many disabled persons, the first most important "aid" for independent living which enables freedom and a way out of the position of ‘cared-for persons’. It is often the chief prerequisite for contemplating the exercise of equal opportunities, self-determination and, consequently, independent living.

Personal assistance must become a legal right and must not be means tested

We urge governments and the European Parliament to:

  • Act now: Stop inequalities, Stop segregation
  • Human rights for all
  • Personal assistance for all
  • Make article 19 of the UN Convention a reality
  • Start consulting with organizations run and controlled by disabled people with experience in independent living

Supporting organizations

This campaign is supported by:

We welcome supporters to the campaign. Supporters raise awareness and the signature count of the campaign through publicizing the campaign on their web-sites and circulating information through their networks.

Further information

You can also find an easy-read version and further information on the "frequently asked questions" (FAQ) page.

Contact us

Contact us if your organization wants to be included in the list of supporting organizations on the site. You can also contact us with questions about the campaign. Write us an e-mail or use our contact form

Sign

Click here to sign our campaign

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