What does it take?
We’re very inspired by the UN’s Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. We’d love to know your reactions.
- How do you see it?
- What do you think needs to happen to make the vision below a reality?
- What can individuals and organizations do to promote it?
“[The parties to the Convention] recognize the valued existing and potential contributions made by persons with disabilities to the overall well-being and diversity of their communities, and that the promotion of the full enjoyment by persons with disabilities of their human rights and fundamental freedoms and of full participation by persons with disabilities will result in their enhanced sense of belonging and in significant advances in the human, social and economic development of society and the eradication of poverty.”
– Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
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February 1, 2010 at 9:43 pm
While it is inspiring in a sense, it’s also disheartening that it took until the 21st century for these meetings to happen and the resulting statement to emerge. Educating about disabilities and successful communities is obviously still a great need, and to satisfy that need, a public relations effort should be jointly launched by all who hope to shift public policy and opinion, globally. A constant and consistent message from that unified group is important, but I also believe that youth should be required to volunteer in ways that bring more meaning to the causes they only sometimes hear and read about, so issues are driven home in a personal way, and caring for others becomes part of their psyches as they grow and age — taking perspectives for the future on this positive ride along with them.
February 2, 2010 at 12:37 am
I appreciate Suzanne’s comments – and just wanted to add a few more thoughts.
As we all know, social change happens at various levels, e.g., grass root activism, educational reform, political lobbying, PR campaigns, and more. I think they all are important – each serving to reach different demographic groups in the world.
From my experience, the real challenge is in learning how to discern where is the best place to invest one’s energy and resources. To do this -takes alot of time researching the environment to identify the players (who is doing what), what has been effective, what are the goals, etc.
Not every individual or organization has the luxury of doing this. Forming a regional or national THINK TANK of the best minds available can be an important move in developing strategies that really address long term change – for people with disabilities or any social movement.
February 2, 2010 at 4:58 pm
I like think tanks – valuable resources, especially in government as deliberations take place.