Disability Rights - UNCRPD
- Dee McCulloch
- Jul 2
- 3 min read
The UNCRPD stands for the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. It is an international treaty that was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2006 and entered into force in 2008. The convention sets out a comprehensive framework of rights and protections for people with disabilities, with the aim of promoting and protecting their full and equal participation in all aspects of life.
The UNCRPD recognises that people with disabilities have the same inherent human rights as everyone else and that they should be able to enjoy those rights without discrimination. The convention covers a broad range of areas, including accessibility, education, employment, health, and social protection. It also emphasises the importance of promoting the empowerment and full inclusion of people with disabilities in all aspects of society.
The UNCRPD has been ratified by over 180 countries, making it one of the most widely ratified human rights treaties in history. Its implementation has led to significant improvements in the lives of people with disabilities around the world, although there is still much work to be done to ensure that all people with disabilities can fully enjoy.
The UNCRPD outlines a broad range of rights for people with disabilities all on an equal basis with everyone else. These rights include:
The right to equality and non-discrimination
The right to life
The right to access to justice
The right to freedom from torture or cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment
The right to freedom from exploitation, violence, and abuse
The right to liberty and security of the person
The right to live independently and be included in the community
The right to access to education
The right to work and employment
The right to access to healthcare
These are just a few examples of the many rights outlined in the UNCRPD. The convention recognises that people with disabilities have the same human rights as everyone else and that these rights should be enjoyed without discrimination.
One of the most important rights when it comes to NDIS applications is the right to live independently in the community. The Royal Commission found in 2020 that the NDIS, SDA policy was not compliant with the UNCRPD. Many applications for independent living continue to be rejected. As providers we need to push against these policies and decisions citing the UNCRPD. It is always best to add in human rights into the original application rather than waiting until a review. By writing your submissions 'AAT ready' you will find the results are far better and very little work needs to be done even if you do need to put in a review or push onto the AAT. All AAT decisions reference human rights, this should not be the first time they are mentioned. As support coordinators it is imperative that you know the various models of disability, apply and reference them as part your standard planning processes in order to get better outcomes.
Knowledge really does power better outcomes.
How Your NDIS Experts Can Help
Our CEO has a Masters in Disability Practice and Bachelor of Commerce (Commercial Law), we can assist in ensuring your rights are upheld in daily life and with the NDIS.
Our staff can assist you with supports ask Your NDIS Experts today. We operate Australia-wide, 7-days a week, as we know disability doesn't just happen during office hours. We offer tele-health services, fly or drive in for intensive support or groups of clients and limited face-to-face supports in the Peel Region Western Australia.
We have staff available now in the following areas:
Behavioural supports, including restrictive practices
Individualised programs
Abuse, neglect and exploitation assessments
Therapy, assessments and recommendations
Psychosocial recovery coaching
Case management, for when it's complicated
Skill development and training, decision-making and budgeting
Parent / carer training
General and employment related counselling
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