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nonbinding: A document, like a declaration, that carries no formal legal obligations. It may,
however, carry moral obligations or attain the force of law as customary international law.
nongovernmental organization (nGo): An organization formed by people outside of
government. NGOs monitor the proceedings of human rights bodies such as the Human
Rights Committee. Some are large and international (e.g., the Red Cross/Crescent, Amnesty
International, the Scouts); others may be small and local (e.g., an organization to advocate
for people with a particular kind of disability in a particular city). NGOs play a major role in
influencing UN policy; many of them have official consultative status at the UN.
Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR): An office of the United
Nations Secretariat mandated to promote and protect all rights established in international
human rights laws and treaties. Located in Geneva, the OHCHR works to prevent human
rights violations, secure respect for all human rights, promote international cooperation to
protect human rights, and coordinate related activities throughout the United Nations.
protocol: A treaty which relates to or modifies another treaty (e.g., adding additional
procedures or substantive provisions); Called an “optional protocol” because a government
that has ratified the original treaty can choose whether or not to ratify the changes made in the
protocol.
positive discrimination: See affirmative action.
protect human rights: The obligation to “protect” human rights means that the State is required
to protect everyone, including people with disabilities, against abuses by non-State actors,
such as individuals, businesses, institutions, or other private organizations.
Ratification, Ratify: Process by which the legislative body of a state confirms a government’s
action in signing a treaty; formal procedure by which a state becomes bound to a treaty after
acceptance.
Reasonable accommodation: Necessary and appropriate modifications or adjustment to
a practice, program, or physical environment so that it is accessible, appropriate, and usable
for a person with disabilities on an equal basis with others. Under US law such modifications
should not involve “undue hardship” on the person or entity required to provide it.
Rehabilitation: Effective and appropriate measures aimed at helping people attain and
maintain maximum independence, full physical, mental, social and vocational ability and
full inclusion and participation in all aspects of life as a result of acquiring a disability or a
change in one’s disability or circumstances. By contrast, habilitation refers to helping people
who are born with a disability or acquire one at an early age attain and maintain maximum
independence and full inclusion.
Respect for human rights: The obligation to “respect” human rights means that States must
not interfere with the exercise and enjoyment of the rights of people with disabilities. They
must refrain from any action that violates human rights. They must also eliminate laws,
policies and practices that are contrary to human rights.
Reverse discrimination: See affirmative action.
signing, sign: In human rights the first step in ratification of a treaty; to sign a Convention, or
one of the Covenants constitutes a promise to refrain from undermining the principles in the
document and to honor its spirit.
304 HumAn RIGHts. yes! ActIon AnD ADvocAcy on tHe RIGHts oF peRsons wItH DIsAbIlItIes