Latest news with #UnitedNationsConventionontheRightsofPersonswithDisabilities
The Citizen
22-05-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
Rethinking Disability Representation: The role and limitations of disabled people's organisations
Disabled People's Organizations (DPOs) are crucial vehicles for advancing the rights and inclusion of persons with disabilities globally. Broadly defined, a DPO is an organization controlled by and primarily composed of people with disabilities. This 'nothing about us without us' principle is fundamental to their legitimacy and effectiveness. DPOs serve as vital platforms for advocacy, mutual support, and the collective articulation of the disability community's needs and aspirations. Nationally, DPOs frequently contribute to policy direction, offering invaluable perspectives and lived experiences that shape legislation and programs. However, their contribution often manifests as a 'forum' rather than a 'council,' a distinction that significantly impacts their influence, particularly when engaging with government. Forums are typically informal platforms where ideas, experiences, and perspectives are exchanged. They serve as consultative spaces without formal decision-making powers. Forums are excellent for fostering dialogue and building solidarity among stakeholders but are not designed to enforce or implement policies. Councils, on the other hand, are formal decision-making bodies often recognized by law or policy frameworks. They are empowered to influence, develop, and oversee the implementation of programs and policies. Councils carry legitimacy and authority that forums inherently lack. The importance of a council in the disability sector, especially when partnering with or working with government, cannot be overstated. A council structure allows for a more structured and authoritative engagement. When DPOs participate as a council, their recommendations carry more weight; they can negotiate, hold government accountable, and jointly implement initiatives. This formalised partnership fosters a sense of shared ownership and responsibility, moving beyond mere consultation to active collaboration. Without the authority of a council, DPOs often find themselves in a reactive position, responding to government proposals rather than proactively shaping the agenda from a position of equal partnership. This often leads to a tokenistic engagement rather than a genuine collaboration that can lead to impactful change. A significant weakness of the current DPO landscape, both nationally and internationally, is the glaring omission of a dedicated focus on local government issues. Despite the critical impact of local policies on the daily lives of persons with disabilities, national and international disability policies rarely delve into the intricacies of local governance. This oversight means there are effectively no DPOs solely dedicated to addressing issues at the municipal or community level. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), for instance, while a groundbreaking international treaty, primarily focuses on state parties' obligations at the national level. While its principles are universally applicable, it does not explicitly mandate or provide guidance on how local governments should implement these rights, nor does it typically inspire the formation of DPOs focused on local bylaws, accessibility of local infrastructure, or community-level service delivery. Take a look at its Article 19 which focuses on living independently and being included in the community. While it advocates for community integration, it does not provide guidance on how local governments can adapt infrastructure or services to meet the needs of persons with disabilities in rural or underserved areas. This creates a disconnect between grand policy pronouncements and the lived realities on the ground. The absence of DPOs dedicated to local government issues has profound consequences. Local governments are responsible for essential services that directly affect the lives of persons with disabilities, including public transportation, accessible infrastructure (sidewalks, ramps, public buildings), local employment initiatives, community health services, and recreational facilities. When DPOs are primarily focused on national policy, these critical local issues often fall through the cracks. For example, a national policy on inclusive education might exist, but without local DPOs advocating for accessible school buildings, specialized teaching resources, or inclusive extracurricular activities within a specific municipality, the policy's impact remains limited. This also means that disabled people at the grassroots often feel unheard and unrepresented, as the national DPOs may be too far removed from their immediate concerns. To bridge this critical gap and strengthen the overall disability movement, DPOs must map a way forward by establishing regional structures. These structures should include regional disability councils dedicated to addressing local issues, even within a national framework. These regional councils would serve as formalized bodies with a clear mandate to engage with local government entities, advocate for specific local policy changes, monitor the implementation of accessibility standards in public spaces, and ensure that local service delivery is inclusive and responsive to the needs of persons with disabilities within their specific geographic area. Such a decentralised approach would empower local disability advocates, foster stronger community engagement, and ensure that national policies are effectively translated into tangible improvements at the grassroots level. By forming regional councils, DPOs would transition from being mere forums for discussion to authoritative bodies capable of driving concrete change in collaboration with local authorities. This shift would not only enhance the effectiveness of DPOs but also significantly improve the lives of persons with disabilities by addressing the very real, day-to-day barriers they encounter in their own communities. (Lucky Tumahole is a Disability Advocate, this is his opinion) At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Hindu
14-05-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Railway Ministry replaces 'mentally retarded' with 'intellectual disability' in concession forms
The Railway Ministry has decided to replace the term "mentally retarded persons" with "persons with intellectual disability" in concession forms issued to persons with disabilities seeking discounts in train journeys. "The Ministry of Railways has decided to replace the term 'mentally retarded persons who cannot travel without an escort' with 'persons with intellectual disability who cannot travel without an escort'," said a ministry circular dated May 9 addressed to the principal chief commercial managers of all the railway zones. Officials said terms like "mentally retarded" have negative connotations besides sounding offensive. "The move was long overdue. The new concession certificate forms will incorporate the changes from June 1," a railway official said. However, the circular also enclosed a revised performa of the concession certificate form, which used terms such as "handicapped" and "divyangjan" for other disabilities, raising concerns among disability rights advocates and activists. "The concession certificate form for orthopaedically handicapped/paraplegic (person/patients) who cannot travel without an escort/persons with intellectual disabilities who cannot travel without an escort/persons with hearing and speech impairment totally (both afflictions together in the same person)...," the revised proforma read, specifying three categories of persons with disabilities who are offered travel concessions. Activists, while welcoming the changes and saying they should have been implemented earlier, pointed out some "objectionable" words that still remain in the revised concession form. 'The Ministry of Railways is always slow to respond, but better late than never. The Supreme Court has already issued a handbook on inclusive language,' they said. "We welcome the shift from the 'R-word' to 'intellectual disability', but the Railways is still engaged in piecemeal corrections," Satendra Singh, director and professor at the University College of Medical Sciences and Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital, respectively, said. "Even the revised concession forms continue to use euphemistic and controversial terms like 'handicapped' and 'divyangjan',' Mr. Singh said. Some activists said a previous order from the chief commissioner for persons with disabilities banned expressions such as 'handicapped', while the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), which India has ratified, also uses the term "persons with disabilities". The circular, stating other provisions, said, "The certificate already issued in the old proforma before 01.06.2025 shall remain valid till the expiry of the validity period. There shall be no change in the railway concession certificate for 'blindness'." "Zonal railways may print the revised proforma and make it available at all locations/stations to avoid inconvenience. Necessary instructions shall be issued to all concerned," it added.
Hindustan Times
14-05-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
Railway Ministry replaces 'mentally retarded' with 'intellectual disability' in concession forms
New Delhi, The Railway Ministry has decided to replace the term "mentally retarded persons" with "persons with intellectual disability" in concession forms issued to persons with disabilities seeking discounts in train journeys. "The Ministry of Railways has decided to replace the term 'mentally retarded persons who cannot travel without an escort' with 'persons with intellectual disability who cannot travel without an escort'," said a ministry circular dated May 9 addressed to the principal chief commercial managers of all the railway zones. Officials said terms like "mentally retarded" have negative connotations besides sounding offensive. "The move was long overdue. The new concession certificate forms will incorporate the changes from June 1," a railway official said. However, the circular also enclosed a revised performa of the concession certificate form, which used terms such as "handicapped" and "divyangjan" for other disabilities, raising concerns among disability rights advocates and activists. "The concession certificate form for orthopaedically handicapped/paraplegic who cannot travel without an escort/persons with intellectual disabilities who cannot travel without an escort/persons with hearing and speech impairment totally ...," the revised proforma read, specifying three categories of persons with disabilities who are offered travel concessions. Activists, while welcoming the changes and saying they should have been implemented earlier, pointed out some "objectionable" words that still remain in the revised concession form. 'The Ministry of Railways is always slow to respond but better late than never. The Supreme Court has already issued a handbook on inclusive language. "We welcome the shift from the 'R-word' to 'intellectual disability', but the Railways is still engaged in piecemeal corrections," Satendra Singh, director and professor at the University College of Medical Sciences and Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital, respectively, said. "Even the revised concession forms continue to use euphemistic and controversial terms like 'handicapped' and 'divyangjan',' Singh said. Some activists said a previous order from the chief commissioner for persons with disabilities banned expressions such as 'handicapped', while the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities , which India has ratified, also uses the term "persons with disabilities". The circular, stating other provisions, said, "The certificate already issued in the old proforma before 01.06.2025 shall remain valid till the expiry of the validity period. There shall be no change in railway concession certificate for 'blindness'." "Zonal railways may print the revised proforma and make it available at all locations/stations to avoid inconvenience. Necessary instructions shall be issued to all concerned," it added.
Irish Examiner
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Irish Examiner
Minister instructs school patrons to review enrolment policies for special classes
School patrons have been directed to review their enrolment policies for special classes following a review that highlighted 'concerning' clauses and criteria that could limit autistic students' access to education. Minister for education Helen McEntee has instructed the school patrons, who are responsible for enrolment policies, to initiate the review after the Department of Education's Inspectorate published its findings. Carried out between last September and December, the review looked at the admission policies of 30 schools, including 15 post primary schools, and 15 primary schools. The review identified issues in 14 out of 15 post primary schools, and 12 out of the 15 primary policies, "raising significant concerns", said chief inspector Yvonne Keating. Some admissions policies required children to be able to participate in mainstream lessons as a condition for admission, while other clauses 'reserved the right to withdraw the offer of a place based on a perception of the student's behaviour.' The review of policies also indicated that many schools use the possibility of a child displaying behaviours that may pose a risk to the health and safety of others as a basis for exclusion from a special class. The report noted that "clauses that use perceived behaviour as a criterion for admission to a special class may imply that children with the greatest level of need cannot be supported to regulate their behaviour". "In addition, it is not possible to predict how children will respond to the structure of the school, the special class environment and to the school's support and provision." The inspectorate also noted that the way in which some schools interpret their responsibilities under the Education Act 1998 is 'leading them to discriminate against those children with the greatest level of need'. 'This approach, which unduly qualifies the right of some children to an inclusive education, does not acknowledge the impact and influence of interconnected environmental systems on their development.' 'It does not recognise how the culture and systems in place in a school can positively impact on children and their experience of and interaction with school.' This qualified approach to inclusion may also not align with Ireland's commitments to inclusive education under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), it added. Multi-denominational schools Meanwhile, school patron body Educate Together has called on Government to act on increasing the number of multi-denominational schools to improve choice for parents. Educate Together is the largest multi-denominational school patron in Ireland, having opened 50 schools since 2013. However, as no new schools are planned to open, it is calling for action on the schools reconfiguration for diversity initiative. Representatives from Educate Together met with TDs at Leinster House on Wednesday. Demand for Educate Together schools continues to grow, but 90% of primary schools remain under Catholic patronage, said Emer Nowlan, chief executive. "The successful transition of the first Catholic school to Educate Together opens up a pathway for others to follow, and there is broad support now for reconfiguration. We are calling on the new Government to proceed with the promised national survey of parents, and to support school communities that decide to transfer, so that more families can access this popular option." Read More Multi-denominational secondary school enrolments exceed Catholic counterparts
Observer
05-05-2025
- General
- Observer
The changing landscape of disability in Oman
Two years ago, the Ministry of Social Development organised the first national symposium dedicated to people with disabilities - a landmark event signalling a shift in how disability is viewed and addressed in the Sultanate of Oman. I was honoured to participate in that gathering, where heartfelt stories, pressing concerns and bold visions for the future were shared. Today, I build on that experience by asking a simple but profound question: Has it become better for people with disabilities in Oman? This question anchors a new research project I am preparing to submit to Discourse and Society, a leading academic journal with a special issue exploring global disability experiences. My study uses socio-linguistic interviews to investigate the lived realities of Omanis with disabilities across the country. It goes beyond policies and proclamations, and instead listens carefully to how people speak about their lives - how they describe themselves, how they express resistance or hope and how their words reflect wider cultural attitudes. Oman has taken commendable steps in the direction of inclusion. We have ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and introduced policies designed to increase accessibility and social participation. And yet, policy is only one part of the picture. The heart of inclusion lies in everyday interactions: in whether someone can access education without being pitied, find work without being underestimated, or enter public spaces without navigating physical and social barriers. Through in-depth interviews with individuals from across the country - people with physical, visual and hearing disabilities, of different genders, ages,and socioeconomic backgrounds - I have begun to piece together a nuanced portrait of disability in Oman today. These stories reveal a mixed reality. In urban areas, there is growing awareness and better access to services. Several participants shared their joy at seeing ramps in government buildings, being invited to public forums, or connecting with peers through social media. Some felt empowered by the growing visibility of disability in national conversations. However, others - especially in rural regions - shared stories of exclusion, outdated attitudes and tokenistic gestures that do not reflect real change. Oman has taken commendable steps in the direction of inclusion. One young woman recounted how her community still viewed her disability as a punishment or shameful secret. Another participant, a visually impaired man in Muscat, described the challenges of applying for jobs where employers assumed he would be a liability. Such narratives remind us that even when laws exist, social transformation is often slow, uneven and deeply cultural. Language plays a powerful role in shaping these experiences. How people talk about themselves and how others talk about them matters. In my research, I analyse not just what participants say, but how they say it: the metaphors they use, the emotional tones they adopt, the silences they leave. For example, some participants describe their lives as a 'journey through fog", or refer to inclusion efforts as 'doors with no handles.' These expressions give us insight into emotional and structural realities that numbers and policies often miss. What stands out, however, is a generational shift. Younger participants, especially those who use digital platforms, are actively challenging old narratives. They are forming communities, documenting their daily lives and calling out injustices. Through Instagram posts, X (formerly Twitter) threads and TikTok videos, they are reshaping how Omanis think about ability, dignity and participation. This is a promising sign. It is clear that progress has been made - but so has the realisation that true inclusion must come not only from above, through law, but from within: through cultural understanding, everyday empathy and the amplification of disabled voices. Oman stands at a crossroads. We can either continue to treat disability as a charitable cause, or we can recognise it as a matter of human rights, agency and full citizenship. It is time to listen - not just politely, but deeply. And more importantly, it is time to act.
