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© United Kingdom Council for
Access and Equality 2006
United Kingdom Council for Access and Equality (UKCAE) welcomes the adoption of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
On 13 December 2006 the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted the first human rights treaty of the twenty-first century. Member nations have been urged to swiftly ratify the convention. "Today promises to be the dawn of a new era ~ an era in which disabled people will no longer have to endure the discriminatory practices and attitudes that have been permitted to prevail for all too long," affirmed Kofi Annan, United Nations Secretary-General. The convention allows for those States who ratify it to enact laws to improve disability rights. Download the United Nations Convention here.
As UKCAE embarks on the Pathway that will enable any organisation to fulfil its obligations under the DDA and DED, and looks at the training that will form an integral part of this Pathway, we are reminded of how incorrect use of language can cause offense. A young schoolgirl who uses a wheelchair after heart surgery caused complications and weakened her legs, is currently claiming that a teacher pushed past her saying "move, cripple". The UKCAE Pathway will help to provide greater awareness and understanding.
In December UKCAE held a most useful meeting with Anne McGuire, Minister for Disabled People and continued to work closely with UKAS over the Pathway.
The next UKCAE Council Meeting for the Governing Body and Council of Reference will be on 24 January, 2007.
