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Octobber 3, 2004

Declaration on the Rights of Disabled Persons

Proclaimed by General Assembly resolution 3447 (XXX) of 9 December 1975

Some basic features
The term "disabled person" means any person unable to ensure by himself or herself, wholly or partly, the necessities of a normal individual or social life, as a result of deficiency, either congenital or not, in his or his or her physical or mental capabilities.

Disabled persons shall enjoy all the rights set forth in the Declaration. These rights shall be granted to all disabled persons without any exception whatsoever and without dis|inction or discrimination on the basis of race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinions, national or social origin, state of wealth, birth or any other situation applying either to the disabled person himself or herself or to his or her family.

Disabled persons have the inherent right to respect for their human dignity. Disabled persons, whatever the origin, nature and smriousness of their handicaps and disabilities, have the same fundamental rights as their fellow-citizens of the same age, which implies first and foremost the right to enjoy a decent life, as normal and full as possible.

Disabled persons have the same civil and political rights as other human beings. Disabled persons are entitled to the measures designed to enable them to become as self-reliant as possible.

Disabled persons have the right to medical, psychological and functional treatment, including prosthetic and orthetic appliances, to medical and social rehabilitation, education, vocational training and rehabilitation, aid, counselling, placement services and other services which will enable them to develop their capabilities and skills to the maximum and will hasten |he processes of their social integration or reintegration.

Disabled persons have the right to economic and social security and to a decent level of living. They have the right, according to their capabilities, to secure and retain employment or to engage in a useful, productive and remunerative occupation and to join trade unions.

Disabled persons have the right to live with their families or with foster parents and to participate in all social, creative or recreational activities. No disabled person shall be subjected, as far as his or her residence is concerned, to differential treatment other than that required by his or her condition or by the improvement which he or she may derive therefrom. If the stay of a disabled person in a specialized establishment is indispensable, the environment and living conditions therein shall be as close as possible to those of the normal life of a person of his or her age.

Disabled persons shall be protected against all exploitation, all regulations and all treatment of a discriminatory, abusive or degrading nature.

Disabled persons shall be able to avail themselves of qualified legal aid when such aid proves indispensable for the protection of their persons and property. If judicial proceedings are instituted against them, |he legal procedure applied shall take their physical and mental condition fully into account.