Making our rights work for us Accessible information and human rights

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Making our rights work for usAccessible information and human rights

Robyn Hunt

AccEase


What we’ll cover

• Background

• Access to information as a human right

• What does the CRPD say about access to information?

• Practical application and opportunities


5%Only 5% of print informationis ever translated into alternative formats


Impact of the CRPD

• A sea change in the way disabled people and their issues and rights can be understood.

• Exciting opportunities for fundamental and far-reaching changes to the lives of disabled people.


The CRPD perspective

• The CRPD takes a broad and inclusive view of disability, acknowledging the complexity of the relationship between a person’s impairment and the surrounding disabling social and physical environment.

• It sees disability as:– an evolving concept– allows for change and development.


The CRPD and access to information

• Article 9 Accessibility

• Article 21 freedom of expression and opinion and access to information

• CRPD http://www.un.org/disabilities/default.asp?

navid=13&pid=150


Example of what has happened

• Passage of the Sign Language Act– New Zealand Sign Language becomes a

national language– Result

• increased confidence• Deaf people pursued access

to captioned movies in cinemas, an example of private sector attention to human rights


More examples of what has happened

• Rights and responsibilities as citizens– Elections New Zealand – right to vote in parliamentary elections,

(Article 29 participation in political and public life.)

• New Zealand’s recent natural disasters Christchurch– Sign language guy

(Article 11)


More examples of what has happened

• After working with disabled people the Bankers Association produced guidelines for services to their older and disabled customers, including accessible information.

• Increasing provision of audio-described theatre productions following work by the ABC


What can we do?• Learn about the CRPD and

human rights. – www.odi.govt.nz

www.hrc.co.nz

• Help people to complain constructively and strategically, and as groups www.hdc.org.nz www.bit.ly/ssZujt

• Join your disabled people’s organisation or other advocacy group to advocate in your community for accessible information

.

• Engage with the wider disability community, especially those who are print-disabled, to think and act strategically about priorities

• Create a business case for the private sector in your community.

• Acknowledge and celebrate best practice, progress and successful outcomes. Give credit where credit is due.

• Check: is your own information accessible?


Questions - Discussion

Robyn HuntAccEase Ltd

Ph: 64 4 939 0445Mob: 027 449 3019Web: www.AccEase.comBlog: www.lowvisionary.com

Making our rights work for us Accessible information and human rights

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