The central mission of The Harvard Law School Project on Disability (HPOD) is to support the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). The CRPD commits countries to ensuring equality for persons with disabilities as well as to stopping discrimination against them and it offers an essential opportunity to improve the lives of the estimated 650 million persons with disabilities worldwide.
HPOD are aware however that having a treaty is only the first step and that to convert legal rights on paper into real changes in the everyday lives of persons with disabilities requires well informed advocacy by civil society so that all people understand the human rights contained in the CRPD, and that governments make these rights a reality by implementing the terms of the Convention.
Many people with disabilities do not yet know about their human rights or how to transform their communities to realise these rights. Likewise, many leaders of non-governmental organisations, governments, and the business community also do not yet understand about the rights of people with disabilities or how to champion them.
Much action is needed to ensure full equality for people with disabilities, including: raising awareness about these rights; promoting positive attitudes within and toward people with disabilities; writing and enforcing new national laws and policies; and undertaking inclusive development. All of these actions will help provide a greater understanding of the capabilities of people with disabilities and how they contribute positively to their communities.
HPOD are actively encouraging persons with disabilities, organisations for persons with disabilities and others with a strong interest to become advocates for the human rights of persons with disabilities. They have published informative publications for which links are provided below:
“We have Human Rights – A Human Rights Handbook for People with Developmental Disabilities”
“Change your life with Human Rights – A Self-Advocacy Book for People with Disabilities”
For further information on HPOD you can visit their website at www.hpod.org or contact them by the following means:
Email:
Address:
Harvard Law School Project on Disability
1563 Massachusetts Avenue
Pound Hall 423
Cambridge, MA 02138
USA
