Disabled Peoples’ International Intervention on Independent Living
Venus Ilagan
August 1, 2005
Thank you Mr. Chairman,
Disabled Peoples’ International joins in the interventions provided by the International Disability Caucus, and People with Disability Australia. We also welcome the support of so many delegations for this article, which gives explicit expression to the principle of autonomy.
We would like to expand upon a point raised by our colleagues regarding the need for States to ensure that people currently living in situations of confinement are supported in their transition to community living. This issue is not currently addressed in the Draft Text, but is of critical importance for those people with disabilities currently living in institutions or other situations of confinement.
In particular, DPI would like to stress the importance of States Parties developing transitional plans, so that people with disabilities are appropriately and meaningfully supported during their move to living arrangements where they can fully enjoy their right to live independently and in their communities. Furthermore, DPI would like to emphasize the need for States Parties to develop such transition plans with the full participation of people with disabilities and their representative organizations. We consumers possess the necessary expertise, and our experience at DPI shows that the involvement of people with disabilities is not only essential to the successful enjoyment of independent living by people with disabilities, but is an essential principle of this treaty. Nothing about us without us.
Thank you Mr. Chairman
2005-08-03 00:00:00
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