Resources search

The publication reviews the concept of accessibility and its role in achieving inclusive and sustainable development. It propositions that accessibility be, not only a means and a goal of inclusive development, but also an enabler of an improved, participative economic and social environment for all members of society, including persons with disabilities.

Three key issues are addressed in the publication: (1) Accessibility in the context of human rights and development; (2) accessibility in policy and practice; and (3) accessibility and a disability-inclusive post-2015 development agenda.

The publication reviews good practices and lessons learned from both top-down and bottom-up approaches in promoting accessibility in practices and provides a response to the question: “How does accessibility relate to inclusive, sustainable and equitable development?” The publication argues that accessibility must be re-conceptualized as an enabler: a precondition for any progress toward development for all members of society.  It concludes that the full and effective participation of persons with disabilities in decision-making processes would contribute directly to the successful adoption of an inclusive post-2015 development agenda

ST/ESA/350

This paper is characterised as a legal and philosophical essay exploring the underpinnings for universal legal capacity as an alternative to functional capacity and examining key issues from a psychosocial disability perspective

This paper offers a review of Critical disability studies (CDS), an approach which challenges the predominantly materialist outlook of more conventional approaches to the study of disability. The paper “reviews the ideas behind the development of CDS and analyses and critiques some of its key ideas. Starting with a brief overview of the main theorists and approaches contained within CDS, the paper then moves on to normative issues; namely, to the ethical and political applicability of CDS”
Disability & Society, Volume 29, Issue 4

This video highlights some of the challenges faced by deaf children and young people, and the opportunities sign language education offers them

"The message is clear: Quality education and lifelong learning are key to sustainable development. The report offers a summary of the main themes and messages that have emerged from the wide-ranging contributions to the consultation featuring voices of people from around the world. The report draws from a variety of platforms and in-person consultations including an online education platform and e-discussions with the voices and participation of over 21,000 people from over 100 countries...The result of these discussions includes a look at what has been achieved since the launch of the Millennium Development Goals in 2000, the gaps and priorities needed to address what young people need to learn and recommendations for 2015 and beyond"

This position paper calls for the adoption of comprehensive equality legislation to be included as a specific development goal in the framework established to succeed the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The paper argues that a failure to address inequality has been one of the undeniable failings of the MDGs. It presents research to illustrate that status-based discrimination is a driver of both income poverty and denial of access to economic and social rights, such as education and health, which are central to the current MDG framework. The paper argues that establishing effective legal protection for the rights to equality and non-discrimination can provide an important mechanism for alleviating poverty and its consequences, and concludes that this is only possible with the adoption of comprehensive equality legislation