Disabilities and Rights

On 19 November, two Special Olympics champions join Lady Kristina Moore and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Sir Roger Moore at a UNICEF-supported sports event for children with disabilities, at Haileybury Almaty School in the city of Almaty. © UNICEF/NYHQ2010-2514/Giacomo Pirozzi

What are disabilities?

A disability is a long-term impairment that may limit participation in society on an equal basis with others. Disabilities can be physical (such as loss of a limb), mental (such as depression), intellectual (such as learning disabilities) or sensory (such as blindness). Disabilities can be temporary or permanent, and some people are born with disabilities, while others become disabled through injuries or accidents.

How do disabilities affect children and young people?

Children and young people with disabilities often face many challenges as a result of their disability. Many do not get a chance to go to school – sometimes because it is difficult or impossible to get to their schools, or sometimes because families and communities do not prioritize education for children and young people with
disabilities.

Even if a person with a disability finishes school, he/she faces more challenges when trying to find a job. Many employers are worried that a person with a disability will not be as productive as other employees, and many workplaces are not equipped so that a person with a disability can function and work to the best of their ability.

Disability is also linked with poverty, both as a cause and a consequence. Many children become disabled as a result of malnutrition and diseases, or they are injured in road accidents and in conflict situations. Young people with disabilities might end up in poverty, or become even poorer, as they cannot find paid employment and have difficulties accessing public services.

Stigma and discrimination are major obstacles

Children and young people with disabilities are often considered to be a burden to their families and communities, and they might not be expected to be able to learn or develop new skills. It is therefore important to educate everyone about what a disability actually is, and that children and young people with disabilities can be productive members of their communities and societies if they are given a chance.

It’s about ability!

Origin of life

Make the wire free to the life of fire; take the slums to the temple sunshine appear.On the very night I like to sing; don't ever forget you,too, a human being.The color of...

Girls and Education

I was once told if you have no talent, then you need education to survive. If that is the case then going to school and being educated is a must… right?As we all know education...

<<If you are, you must be social>>

Yes it is true : <<If you are you must to be social>>, that is the real recipe for...

Universal Movement of Consciousness by Edson Udson (all rights reserved)

A great movement for peace, love and freedom around the world, but to obtain results and to solve...

Why should you sponsor a child this Christmas?

It’s getting towards that time of year, where goodwill is running high which provides the perfect opportunity for charities to begin their campaigns to try and get people to...

Its 2013 already. Why isn't feminism moving forward?

On 29th December, a girl called Damini died in a hospital in Singapore. The cause of death was...

The EU Children of Peace initiative will help children affected by war and conflicts

José Manuel Durão Barroso said “Our EU Children of Peace initiative reflects our deep commitment...

New UNICEF podcast: Skateistan - Learning and skateboarding in Kabul, Afghanistan

Skateistan-kabul-girls-merza-teaching-hires-color_sm

In 2007, Oliver Percovich landed in Kabul with nothing more than a couple of skateboards. Having...

Universal Movement of Consciousness

A great movement for peace, love and freedom around of the world, but to obtain results and do solve problems as poverty, abuses and violence is necessary "union" and "good...

Child Sponsorship - What didn't you know?

Source: http://www.plan-uk.org/Charity Plan UK look at some of the things you may not know about...

A great movement for peace, love and freedom around of the world, but to obtain results and do solve problems as poverty, abuse and violence, it is necessary that "union" and...

On the twentieth International Day of Persons with Disabilities, a call to remove the barriers that prevent equal participation in society

Today is the twentieth International Day of Persons with Disabilities. Today, we call attention to the importance of promoting the rights of persons with disabilities and...

Voices of Youth