Many advocates around the globe claim to speak for disabled persons without knowledge of their plights. The slogan “Nothing about us without us” hit the nail on the head, for it demands the inclusiveness in the community, autonomy and empowerment of people with disabilities. People with disabilities are often removed from the mainstream of the community and losing their power to make decisions on matters affecting them. They are usually discriminated against, stigmatized and treated with nonchalance [without apathy]. The various governments and elected representatives have never really addressed these issues of discriminatory stereotypes and prejudices. Those issues already addressed lacked follow up and implementation. They always feared that addressing them would have cost implications. But careful studies reveal that not everything involves financial cost. Even if educating and informing the society involves cost, it’s not compared to the opportunity cost of denying her disabled citizens their fundamental civil rights, education, social and political freedom, etc. Changing discrimination need not be costly.
To empower disabled people, the Ad Hoc Committee was established in December, 2001 and tasked to produce a comprehensive and International Convention to promote and protect the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities. All 191 member States of the UN and International NGO were encouraged to send delegates to the Committee meetings. It was observed that many delegates included members who were people with disabilities. People with disabilities are experts in discussing matters affecting their disabilities. After Five [5] years of untiring work: meetings and negotiations, the Ad Hoc committee came up with a generally acceptable instrument that UN adopted last December. Adopted alongside an optional protocol [the final version] of the historic Instrument on protecting the rights of persons with disabilities following protracted negotiations. Little wonder, David Viscott wrote, “If your life is ever going to get better you’ll have to take risks. There is simply no way you can grow without taking chances.”
On December 13, 2006, the United Nations in a summit held at its Headquarters, New York adopted the final document from the Ad Hoc Committee for the UN Convention on the Rights of Disabled people, chaired by New Zealand Ambassador Don MacKay. The participants of Disabled persons and Disability Organizations contributed immensely to the success of these negotiations. It was spearheaded by members of International Disability Caucus [IDC] and International Disability Alliance [IDA] who through their web networks and persons to persons contact played major role in the negotiations. Participants who were mostly disabled person’s focused on real issues, real problems than allow political issues to evade them. I agree with Teddy Roosevelt who said, “Do what you can with what you have, where you are.” Highlights of the issues dealt with include: discriminations, health, education, accessibility, freedom, mobility, work, recreation and political participation and so on.
March 30, 007 shall mark a new dawn in history at the UN Headquarters New York. The UN shall sign into law the First Human Rights Treaty of Twenty-First Century. This groundbreaking ceremony shall witness all member States append their signature on an instrument that will change the way the world treats its 650 million disabled persons. The forum shall also be used to honor people and organizations that have in many ways helped in the fight for the right and dignity of people with disabilities. The Head of Government of each Member State is expected to attend the UN Summit and participate in the signing ceremony. A reliable source informed that Nigerian President, Retired General Olusegun Obasanjo shall be in attendance. It also implied that as member States sign this document, they shall ensure its implementations. The disabled community already knows that the best politics, laws and conventions shall not gain them total solutions to their overall problems. They need states ramifications and effective implementation by national and international institutions and leaders. Government shall see the potentialities and significant contributions disabled people make in the society and be open enough to support them. They should do this and press towards the mark.
Hereafter the society shall see disabled persons beyond their disabilities but as fellow citizens that have rights to live, participate in the development of the societies they live in and share in its values and benefits. Young disabled children should have hope of better education, equal opportunities in social and recreational activities and access to political exercise of rights and functions. In trying times like this many people are tempted to quit but the most success people resist quitting and keep trying.
Evangelist Ogbonnaya, Godswill can be reached by email:gkapin53@yahoo.com