The Disability Information and Resource Centre

Leading disability organisations have partnered to form a project group which is compiling a Shadow Report on Australia’s implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).

The overall aim of the report is to make recommendations to the United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and to determine the extent to which Australia has implemented its obligations under the CRPD.

The project group would like people with experience with disability to complete a survey outlining their experiences. The survey, as well as further information  can be found here.

You can also view the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons With Disabilities.

The release of the Shadow Report outlining the information collated, including recommendations, is expected prior to the Federal Government submitting its Progress Report to the United Nations in August 2010.

Unicef have released a publication entitled “It’s About Ability – An explanation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities”.

Aimed at children, the book explains the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. It’s main purpose is to empower children, with and without disabilities, to play their part in challenging discrimination and promoting the Convention’s principles.

Further information, including a pdf and audio version of the book, can be found on the unicef web site.

Parliament House, Canberra ACT 2600 • Telephone (02) 6277 7300 • Fax (02) 6273 4102

www.attorneygeneral.gov.au

4 June 040/2008

The Rudd Government has today tabled in Parliament a National Interest Analysis, which proposes that Australia ratify the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

“The Convention recognises that people with disabilities are entitled to enjoy all human rights on an equal basis with others,” Attorney-General Robert McClelland said. “It also assists countries all over the world to promote awareness of those rights and take practical steps to enable people with disability to participate fully in society.”

The National Interest Analysis examines the impact ratification would have on Australia and Australians living with disability. It is the result of consultations with the disability sector, industry, the States and Territories, relevant Commonwealth Government agencies and the broader community. It confirms that Australia complies with the Convention and already substantially mplements those obligations. “Ratifying the Convention sends an unequivocal message that people with disabilities should be treated equally and not as second class citizens,” Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Children’s Services Bill Shorten said.

“The Rudd Government is working hard to continually improve the lives of people with disability, including through the development of a National Disability Strategy.”

The proposal to ratify the Convention will now be considered by Parliament’s Joint Standing Committee on Treaties.

Cath Sullivan, Mr Shorten’s Office, 0448 025 042.

Media Contact: Adam Sims, Mr McClelland’s Office, 0419 480 224.