David ParkerDeputy Director, UNICEF IRCFlorence, Italydparker@unicef.org

Protecting the Rightsof Children with DisabilitiesCouncil of Europe, Swedish Presidency / Nordic Council of MinistersEuropean Conference Protecting and Promoting the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Europe: Towards full participation, inclusion and empowermentStrasbourg, 29-30 October 2008

Priority on children with disabilitiesIn the formative stages of their life-courseLabels and identities given in childhood are of profound significancePotential gains from early attentionAdditional dimension of complexities of adolescenceLinkages to other human rights instruments

Heckman curve: Returns to human capital investmentSource: James Heckman (Carneiro & Heckman, 2003)

Barriers to inclusionSocial model of disability: obstacles in the environmentPolicies and regulationsPhysical barriersSocial barriers and stigmaAttitudes and self-fulfilling expectationsPoverty as a cause and a consequence of disability

Children in institutionsOngoing policy and programmatic reflections on institutional careIsolation from families and community lifeDevelopmental delays and often limited availability of careParticular problems of adolescentsStrong advances toward community-based careFostering and other alternative modelsAssessment - opportunity

Rights of children with disabilitiesExisting provisions in the CRCKey principle of non-discriminationProvisions especially in education and social welfare to the fullest social inclusionLimitations on how other rights have been taken up for children with disabilitiesConsultation in CRPD development with organizations of children with disabilities

The CRPD and childrenFull enjoyment of human rights on equal basisGeneral principles of the CRPD applying to all personsArticle 3 (h): Respect for the evolving capacities of children with disabilities and respect for the right of children with disabilities to preserve their identitiesArticle 6: recognizing the particular situation of girls with disabilities

The CRPD and children (cont)Article 7: Children with disabilitiesEnjoyment of rights on an equal basis with other childrenThe best interests of the childThe right to express views and have them taken seriouslyOther rights in the ConventionAccess to justiceAge-sensitive assistance for protection against violence & abuseRegistration immediately after birthRight to family lifeInclusive education, including all necessary support and aidsPlay, recreation, leisure and sporting activities

Einstein:

We cannot solve problems with the same kind of thinking that created them.

Actions at national levelReview of legislationEffective remedies in case of violationsA cross-sectoral plan of actionFocal points and interministerial coordinationIndependent monitoring mechanisms (e.g., ombuds)

Actions at national level (cont)Resource allocation to and for children and their familiesPromote alternatives to institutionalizationAwareness-raising of the publicCommunity services and supportCentrality of organizations of persons with disabilities

The international levelUnited Nations system processesCommittee on the Rights of Persons with DisabilitiesSupport to national level actions including advocacyProgramme cooperation in some European countriesRoles of multilateral & bilateral agencies, INGOsClose cooperation with national and regional partners

Principles of inclusionConsulting with and listening to children and familiesIntegrated and life-cycle approachWorking with parents and families, and all stakeholdersBuilding on current momentum

Thank you

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