State of the World's Children 2013 - Unicef

CHAPTER 7
AN AGENDA
FOR ACTION
The nations of the world have repeatedly affirmed their
commitment to building more inclusive societies. As a result,
the situation of many children with disabilities and their
families has improved.
Progress has varied between and within countries,
however. Too many children with disabilities
continue to face barriers to their participation
in the civic, social and cultural affairs of their
communities. This is true in situations that may
be considered normal as well as during humanitarian
crises. The following recommendations
apply equally urgently in humanitarian situations,
and their application in that context is detailed
in Chapter 5. Realizing the promise of equity
through inclusion will require action in the
areas and by the actors identified below and
throughout this report.
Ratify and implement the
Conventions
The Convention on the Rights of Persons with
Disabilities (CRPD) and the Convention on the
Rights of the Child (CRC) provide detailed guidance
for the development of inclusive societies. As
this year began, 127 countries and the European
Union had ratified the CRPD and 193 had ratified
the CRC. They have thus shown a commitment to
all their citizens. Others have yet to join the global
movement that these countries represent.
Ratification alone will not be enough. The process
of honouring commitments in practice will
require effort on the part of national governments,
local authorities, employers, disabled people’s
organizations and parents’ associations. In
addition, international organizations and donors
can align their assistance with these international
instruments. Making good on the promises of
the Conventions will require not only diligent
enforcement but also rigorous monitoring and an
unflagging commitment by all to accountability
and adaptation.
Fight discrimination
Discrimination lies at the root of many of the
challenges confronted by children with disabilities
and their families. The principles of equal
rights and non-discrimination should be reflected
in law and policy and need to be complemented
by efforts to enhance awareness of disability
among the general public, starting with those
who provide essential services for children in
such fields as health, education and protection.
To this end, international agencies and their government
and community partners can increase
efforts to provide officials and public servants at
all levels of seniority with a deeper understanding
of the rights, capacities and challenges of
children with disabilities so that policymakers
and service providers are able to prevail against
prejudice – be it society’s or their own.
When communities are accepting of disability as
part of human diversity, when generic systems
like education and recreation are available and
inclusive, and when parents are not forced to
AN AGENDA FOR ACTION
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