Genuine inclusion of persons with disabilities is a win for us all: Guterres

“When inclusion is real, everyone benefits,” UN Secretary-General António Guterres said in his message to mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. 

He stressed that people with disabilities drive progress that benefits everyone, highlighting how their leadership has improved disaster preparedness, expanded inclusive education and employment, and ensured that humanitarian responses reach those most at risk.

‘Structural failures’ persist

The head of the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), Li Jinhua, recalled that at the Second World Summit for Social Development held last month in Doha, the international community reaffirmed that real social progress is only achieved when everyone is included.

Yet persons with disabilities continue to face obstacles to integration, including higher multi-dimensional poverty. They are also twice as likely to be unemployed, in addition to being excluded from a world moving increasingly online.

“These are not just statistics. They are structural failures that undermine our collective potential,” he said in a recorded message at a virtual event to commemorate the Day.

Deaf youth lead at the UN

Participants included representatives from Deaf Leaders of Tomorrow Foundation (DLTF), an international non-profit that is spearheading a youth-led pilot initiative on sign language rights at the UN.

It involves training at DTLF, Gallaudet University – the world’s first such institution for deaf and hard of hearing students – and at UN Headquarters in New York, so that deaf youth gain a foundation in human rights frameworks, disability rights principles, diplomacy and global advocacy.

The initiative does more than just train young leaders, but also “strengthens global development, departing from the disability framework to the human rights framework,” DLTF’s Yana Hadjihristova said in sign language.

She urged Member States and UN agencies to integrate sign language rights into all youth frameworks, adopt a global sign language equity strategy, and ensure that deaf youth play a bigger role in decision-making.

“The message we bring is simple and powerful,” she said.  “Sign language creates leaders. Deaf leaders create inclusion. And when the United Nations promotes sign language equity, the entire human rights system becomes stronger.”

From commitment to action

In Doha, countries adopted a declaration that outlined “a clear blueprint” towards full inclusion and participation of persons with disabilities, said Mr. Li.

Actions include social policies and programmes on integration, addressing needs as well as ensuring inclusive, accessible and equitable health services, housing, education, universal social protection and employment opportunities.

He said UNDESA is fully committed to supporting Member States in turning the commitments into national policy.

“As we move forward, let us remember societies that work for persons with disabilities are resilient, equitable and prosperous for all, leaving no one behind.” 

Advocacy over inspiration

In New York, the outgoing UN Global Advocate for Persons with Disabilities in Conflict and Peacebuilding Situations said he felt that he had failed in the position, noting that the situation for this population has not changed.

Photojournalist Gilles Duley, who lost three limbs in Afghanistan, said that his job as an advocate is to bring stories from the frontline. Yet, as a person with a disability, he is often asked to deliver inspiring talks.

“I’m not here as an advocate to be an inspiration for people. My job is to share stories, because the reality on the ground for people with disability has not changed,” he said.

“So, I feel I failed in my position here. I feel it has achieved very little because I have not had that opportunity to truly be an advocate.”

Mr. Duley said that too often, persons with disabilities are presented as inspirational and resilient, which they are, “but that means the stories of those left behind who are truly vulnerable are often ignored or forgotten.  We can’t romanticize the idea of disability.”