Skip to main content
Voices
Publications

Developing a Strategy to Promote the Rights of People with Disabilities

First page of PDF with filename: Developing-Strategy-Promote-Rights-People-Disabilities-20140131.pdf
  • Date
  • January 2014

Across Central and Eastern Europe, hundreds of thousands of people with disabilities are excluded from full participation in society—from education and employment, to housing and marriage. Not all countries with inclusive policies have transformed these into meaningful action.

Following the European Union’s ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, member states must align their policies with their practices to ensure that the human rights of people with disabilities are respected. In 2010 the European Parliament adopted the European Disability Strategy 2010–2020, which established a framework to achieve this goal.

This publication by the European Network on Independent Living is a resource for state governments and civil society involved in the development of national disability policies and strategies. It proposes priorities and steps for governments to take to protect the human rights and full social inclusion of people with disabilities. It features an annex of resources that includes a descriptive list of all international and European legal and policy documents relevant to people with disabilities.

The European Network on Independent Living is a grantee of the Open Society Foundations.

Read more

Voices

Helping Teachers Create More Inclusive Classrooms

Teacher with his palm up in front of a line of students

Although the inclusive education movement has more supporters than ever, turning theory into practice can be the hardest part. A new initiative seeks to help teachers by giving them practical advice.

January 25, 2018 | Ingrid Lewis

Voices

Moving Beyond Institutions and Supporting Independent Living in Europe

People on a train

A new documentary shows how deinstitutionalization has transformed the lives of people with disabilities—and underscores the importance of EU funding for independent living.

June 8, 2017 | Katharine Boaden

Voices

Slowly but Surely, Armenia’s Schools Embrace Students of All Stripes

In the year since the passage of a law that provides a basis for inclusive education, hundreds of schools in Armenia have become more welcoming to marginalized students.

December 17, 2015 | Elaine Harty

Subscribe to updates about Open Society’s work around the world

By entering your email address and clicking “Submit,” you agree to receive updates from the Open Society Foundations about our work. To learn more about how we use and protect your personal data, please view our privacy policy.