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How is our work influencing life in Northern Ireland and delivering equality? Learn more about our policy, legal and research work.
 
 

UNCRPD

UN Convention on the Rights of
Persons with Disabilities
International Mechanisms

What you need to know

 

UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD)


CRPD logoThe Commission has a formal role under Article 33.2 of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (pdf) as a component part of the UK’s ‘independent mechanism’ (UKIM), tasked with promoting, protecting and monitoring the UK and devolved governments’ implementation of the Convention. In Northern Ireland, this role is performed jointly by ECNI and NIHRC (the Independent Mechanism for Northern Ireland or IMNI).

The Commission has published explanatory guides; commissioned research; organised training sessions for disabled people / disabled peoples organisations on various aspects of the Convention and submitted evidence to a UNCRPD inquiry on Welfare Reform
   

Equality Commission Recommendations:


In summary, key issues relevant to Northern Ireland include concerns regarding:
 

- Equality and non-discrimination (Article 5)

 
  • proposals to replace the Human Rights Act and the impact of Brexit
  • certain positive provisions, included in GB via the Equality Act 2010, do not apply in Northern Ireland
     

- Awareness-raising (Article 8)

 
  • continuing existence of prejudice and negative attitudes
  • lack of a holistic disability strategy


- Accessibility (Articles 9, 19)

 
  • inaccessible and inappropriate housing; lack of access to transport, information and the built environment
  • difficulties experienced by carers with impacts on maintaining physical and mental well-being
     

- Independent and adequate standard of living and social protection (Articles 19, 20, 26, 28)

 
  • disproportionate impact of social security reforms (cumulative impact of tax and welfare changes)
  • increased demand for social care and falling funding resulting a care crisis


- Education (Articles 7, 24)

 
  • reduction in nursery and pre-school provision for children in special schools in NI
  • higher rate of school exclusions for pupils with a disability and SEN
  • educational attainment gap and barriers to transition to further education


- Employment (Article 27)

 
  • barriers to employment and training e.g. failure to make reasonable adjustments; discrimination; transport; bullying and harassment)
  • the employment and pay gap experienced by people with disabilities
     

- Health (Articles 10, 25)

 
  • health inequalities, particularly for those with intellectual or psycho-social impairments
  • the underfunding of mental health services and high rates of mental ill-health
  • the inappropriate detention of those with autism and/or intellectual disabilities in psychiatric hospitals


- Freedom from exploitation, violence and abuse (Articles 6, 16, 17)

 
  • evidence of hate-crime and harassment; bullying of disabled pupils in schools; and violence against disabled people


- National implementation and monitoring (Articles 31, 33)

 
  • significant data gaps, and lack of disaggregated data
  • lack of specific funding to deliver UKIM remit


- Participation in political and public life (Article 29)

 
  • persons with disabilities continue to be significantly under-represented on the boards of public bodies in Northern Ireland and in political life
 

In our formal role under the UNCRPD, we have published explanatory guides; commissioned research; organised training sessions for disabled people / disabled peoples organisations on various aspects of the Convention and submitted evidence to a UNCRPD inquiry on Welfare Reform
 
 
< International Mechanisms
< Addressing inequality
UNCERD >
(UN Convention on the Elimination of
All Forms of Racial Discrimination)
 
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