New guide explains UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

A new guide to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Disabled Persons (UNCRPD) has been published by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (ERHC) to make disabled people aware of their rights and how to use them. It will help individuals challenge injustices and improve services for themselves and others and will help organisations understand their responsibilities.

The Convention, which was signed by the UK government last year, covers health, education, employment, personal security, independent living and access to information and justice, and describes what the government has agreed to do by next July to make disabled people's rights real.

Mike Smith, Chair of the Commission's Disability Committee, said: 'The UK signed up to this treaty just over a year ago and we will continue to work with the government to make sure that it is implemented fully. It requires government to take action to remove barriers and give disabled people real freedom, dignity and equality. Our role is to ensure Britain makes rapid progress towards making the Convention rights a reality for disabled people. You can get involved in telling people about these rights. The more people who know what the Convention says, the more likely it is that disabled people will be treated fairly.'

Information about the UNCRPD guide can be viewed and downloaded from the EHRC website