Publications on the rights of persons with disabilities

A study on Accessibility of Information, Technologies and Communication for Persons with Disabilities

Accessibility is a precondition for the enjoyment of human rights for persons with disabilities. Indeed, without it, rights such as rights to education, work, health, freedom of expression, voting and holding political office are placed beyond the reach of many persons with disabilities. Even the possibility of accessing justice by seeking redress and obtaining remedies for infringement of rights would be impeded. This study aims to highlight and expand information, evidence, data and good practice on this particular priority area of the Council of Europe Disability Strategy 2017-2023 and to provide concrete suggestions to guide implementation.

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A study on Freedom from Exploitation, Violence and Abuse of Persons with Disabilities

Exploitation, violence and abuse are frequent, yet often overlooked and under-reported. The societal forces that tend to marginalise persons with disabilities exacerbate the likelihood and the impact of exploitation, violence and abuse. This study explores the concepts, causes and impact of the exploitation, violence and abuse experienced by persons with disabilities, with particular attention given to institutional aspects and the impact of hate speech.

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A study on Awareness Raising on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

Awareness Raising, as defined in Article 8 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD), tries to address the underlying causes of discrimination on the basis of disability – namely the prevailing attitudes towards persons with disabilities in many societies. “Awareness raising” has become a concept like “mainstreaming”. Everyone has heard about it and has an interpretation of what successful elements are necessary to get there. This study aims to suggest current and useful good practices to policy makers and practitioners in the area of raising awareness and sensitising a wide range of stakeholders.

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A study on the Equal Recognition Before the Law

Equal recognition before the law, as defined in Article 12 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD), refers to the two parts of legal capacity, the capacity to hold rights and duties and the capacity to act on them. Legal capacity and access to justice are essential to real participation in all areas of life and full inclusion of persons with disabilities in society. This study aims to identify ways and means of implementation of Article 12 of the UN CRPD regarding the right to equal recognition before the law, and to provide examples of good national practices.

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A study on Promoting Equality and Non-Discrimination for Persons with Disabilities

Equality is a core principle of all human rights and fundamental freedoms. Unequal treatment and discrimination in its many forms are preventing the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms for persons with disabilities. This study aims to analyse the obligations contained in the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD) regarding equality and non-discrimination, and to provide examples of good national practices.

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Achieving full participation through Universal Design

This book invites member states to:- promote full participation in community life by ensuring access to all areas of society, including the built environment, transport, products and goods, information, public service, education, employment and health care;- implement Universal Design as a strategy to ensure equal and democratic rights in society for all individuals, regardless of age, abilities or cultural background, including persons with disabilities.

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Access for People with Disabilities to Culture, Tourism, Sports and Leisure Activities: Towards Meaningful and Enriching Participation

The present report addresses the access of people with disabilities to cultural rights – one of the essential aspects of life. Despite the achievements and progress made in many member states, it is apparent that a lot remains to be done for a truly equal and meaningful participation of people with disabilities in culture, sports, tourism and leisure activities. This publication aims to take stock of the current situation and legal background and suggest actions for targeted improvements, to tackle discrimination and build fair and inclusive societies.

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Social inclusion of children and young people with disabilities

The present report concerns the situation of children and young people with disabilities. It endeavours to highlight the challenges to be taken up and the political decisions required to remove the systemic barriers and counter the negative attitudes and social exclusion which prevent children and young people with disabilities from developing their potential, improving their quality of life and participating in social life. The Council of Europe is publishing this report in pursuit of its goal of constructing tolerant societies without obstacles to citizenship for all and with all, including all children and young people, notably those with disabilities.

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Awareness raising on the rights of persons with disabilities

Other Council of Europe publications

Enhancing rights and inclusion of ageing people with disabilities and older people with disabilities: a European perspective, 2009
European High Level Conference on the Council of Europe Disability Action Plan 2006-2015: National Implementation – from Policy to Practice, Proceedings, 2008
The protection and promotion of sign languages and the rights of their users in Council of Europe member states: needs analysis, 2008
Conference « Improving the quality of life of people with disabilities in Europe: participation for all, innovation, effectiveness » Proceedings, 2007
Prevention of disabilities linked to chronic diseases, 2006, ISBN-10: 92 871 5991 2 ; ISBN-13: 978 92 871 5991 5
Conference "Human Rights - Disability - Children: Towards international instrument for disability rights - the special case of disabled children" Proceedings, 2006, ISBN 92-871-5873-8
The status of sign languages in Europe, 2005, ISBN 92-871-5720-0
Citizens not patients – developing innovative approaches to meet the needs of disabled people, 2004,
Community living for people with disabilities in need of a high level of support, 2004
Access to social rights for people with disabilities in Europe, 2003, ISBN 92-871-5328-0
Legislation to counter discrimination against persons with disabilities, 2003, 2^nd Edition, ISBN 92-871-5314-0
Discrimination against women with disabilities, 2003, ISBN 92-871-5316-7
Rehabilitation and integration of people with disabilities: policy and legislation, 2003, 7 ^th edition, ISBN 92-871-5123-7
Safeguarding adults and children with disabilities against abuse, 2003, Reprinting, ISBN 92-871-4919-4
The impact of new technologies on the quality of life of people with disabilities, 2002, ISBN 92-871-5007-9
Assessing disability in Europe - similarities and differences, 2002, ISBN 92-871-4744-2
Legislation on the rehabilitation of people with disabilities : Policy and legislation, 2002, 6th edition, ISBN 92-871-4827-9
Cochlear implants in deaf children, 2001, ISBN 92-871-4628-4
Legislation to counter discrimination against persons with disabilities, 2000, ISBN 92-871-4422-2
Employment strategies to promote equal opportunities for persons with disabilities on the labour market, 2000, ISBN 92-871-4744-2
Framework for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of data on the ageing of people with disabilities, 1997, ISBN 92-871-3327-1
Sheltered employment in five member states of the Council of Europe, 1997, ISBN 92-871-3325-5
Vocational training and rehabilitation of people with disabilities: a comparative analysis, 1997, ISBN 92-871-3475-8
The transition from sheltered to ordinary employment, 1996, ISBN 92-871-3144-9 (bilingual)
Employment strategies for people with disabilities: the role of employers, 1995, ISBN 92-871-2889-8
Legislation on the rehabilitation of people with disabilities, 1993, 5th edition, ISBN 92-871-2316-0
Accessibility: principles and guidelines, 1993, ISBN 92-871-2260-1
Training of staff, other than health care staff, concerned with rehabilitation, 1992, ISBN 92-871-1966-X
Assessment of disabled people with a view to vocational rehabilitation measures, Strasbourg, 1987
Measures to promote the social integration of mentally disabled people, 1986, ISBN 92-871-0914-1
Training of health care staff concerned with rehabilitation: present situation in member States and proposals for the improvement of such training, (report P-SG (84) 14)
Information systems on impaired, disabled and handicapped people, 1982, ISBN 1982-92-871-0007-1
The functioning of sheltered workshops, 1982, ISBN 1982-92-871-0003-9

Publications on the WHO International Classification of Impairments, Disabilities and Handicaps (ICIDH)

Proceedings of the International Workshop on the use and usefulness of the International classification of impairments, disabilities and handicaps (ICIDH), Strasbourg, 25-26 March 1996, (1999), ISBN 92-871-3867-2 (12.96 €)
The use and usefulness of the International classification of impairments, disabilities and handicaps (ICIDH) in the maintenance of people with disabilities at home and in their communities, (1998), ISBN 92-871-3620-3 (7.62 €)
Literature review of the International classification of impairments, disabilities and handicaps (ICIDH), (1998), ISBN 92-871-3660-2 (10.67 €)
Use of the International classification of impairments, disabilities and handicaps (ICIDH) in relation to the elderly, (1997), ISBN 92-871-3315-5 (9.15 €)
The use and usefulness of the International classification of impairments, disabilities and handicaps (ICIDH) for the education of children with impairments or disabilities, (1997), ISBN 92-871-3427-8 (10.67 €)
Assessment of the evaluations of the application of the ICIDH to the various spheres of rehabilitation and integration of people with disabilities, (1996), ISBN 92-871-2940-1 (7.62 €)
Use and usefulness of the ICIDH for health professions (nursing, physical therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, chiropody and orthoptics), (1996), ISBN 92-871-3004-3 (9.15 €)
Use and usefulness of the ICIDH for policy and planning of public authorities, (1995), ISBN 92-871-2858-8 (7.62 €)
Use of the international classification of impairments, disabilities and handicaps (ICIDH) in the field of mental retardation, (1993), ISBN 92-871-2337-3 (7.62 €)
Applications of the concept of handicap of the international classification of impairments, disabilities and handicaps (ICIDH) and its nomenclature, (1993), ISBN 92-871-2421-3 (7.62 €)
Use of the international classification of impairments, disabilities and handicaps (ICIDH) in the assessment of vocational aptitudes of people with disabilities Part I - General Report, (1993), ISBN 92-871-2388-8 (9.15 €)
Use of the international classification of impairments, disabilities and handicaps (ICIDH) in the assessment of vocational aptitudes of people with disabilities Part II - Methods of Assessment and the Index of Characteristics, (1993), ISBN 92-871-2390-X (9.15 €)
The conceptual framework of the international classification of impairments; disabilities and handicaps (ICIDH), (1992), ISBN 92-871-1972-4 (7.62 €)
Use of the international classification of impairments, disabilities and handicaps (ICIDH) in the assessment of technical aids, (1992), ISBN 92-871-2137-0 (7.62 €)
The use of the international classification of impairments, disabilities and handicaps (ICIDH) in mental health, (1991), ISBN 92-871-1939-2 (10.67 €)
Evaluation of the use of the international classification of impairments, disabilities and handicaps (ICIDH) in surveys and health related statistics, (1990), ISBN 92-871-1852-3 (7.62 €)
The use of the International classification of impairments, disabilities and handicaps (ICIDH) in rehabilitation, (1989), ISBN 92-871-1767-5 (7.62 €)