Newsletter on disabled peoples rights

Human Rights Commission
Media release

The Human Rights Commission has today launched an e-newsletter highlighting activities and information for people with disabilities.

The newsletter – released on the International Day of Disabled Persons – is part of a Commission effort to ensure monitoring and support for the first international rights convention of the 21st century, the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

The Disability (UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities) Bill 2008 was passed into law in September, allowing New Zealand to change legislation to comply with the convention. New Zealanders were at the birth of the convention, taking part in the debates which preceded its adoption by the UN late in 2006.

“We’ve chosen to launch the newsletter on the International Day of Disabled Persons which this year has a theme of justice for all and strong focus on the convention,” says Human Rights Commissioner, Robyn Hunt.

“The convention has practical relevance to the daily lives of all disabled people, for example, Article 9 gives very clear guidance on accessibility,” she says. “It states that accessibility barriers should be removed from buildings, roads, transportation, schools, housing, information, medical facilities and work places.”

The Commission is running a reader competition for the best name for the new disability newsletter. The winning suggestion will receive a prize of $100.

To subscribe to the disability newsletter, click here