"Living with Disabilities"
UNIS Vienna marks the first anniversary of the coming into force of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities with an open discussion forum involving staff, interns, NGOs, persons with disabilities and their carers
To mark the first anniversary of the coming into force of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and as part of the European Trauma Cultural Days 2009, UNIS Vienna hosted a discussion round with a group of brain-injured, their families and carers, in cooperation with the Austrian Association of Trauma and Brain Injured (Österreichische Gesellschaft für Schädel Hirn Trauma -- ÖGSHT) on Friday 8 May 2009. Forty-two participants with varying degrees of disabilities from eight European countries came to the VIC for a special guided tour and the discussion forum, in which they were joined by staff members, interns and NGO representatives. The European Trauma Cultural Days are an annual event designed to bring together patients suffering from brain injuries and their families, to strengthen regional networks, exchange information and views, and improve awareness-raising and lobbying capacities.
The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its Optional Protocol were adopted on 13 December 2006 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, and were opened for signature on 30 March 2007. There were 82 signatories to the Convention, 44 signatories to the Optional Protocol, and 1 ratification of the Convention on the first day. This is the highest number of signatories in history to a UN Convention on its opening day. It is the first comprehensive human rights treaty of the 21st century and the speed of the signing and ratification process is testament to the fact that the international community considered such a Convention long overdue.
The Convention entered into force on 3 May 2008, following the 20th ratification. To date, 139 countries have signed and 53 have
ratified the Convention. It is estimated that approximately 10 per cent of the world's population are persons with disabilities and that around 80 per cent of these live in developing countries. The World Bank estimates that 20 per cent of the world's poorest people have some kind of disability and are often both marginalized in their own communities, but also seen by those same communities as the most disadvantaged. Ninety per cent of children with disabilities in developing countries do not attend school and the global literacy rate for adults with disabilities is as low as 3 per cent (less for women).
The participants at the discussion forum organized by UNIS Vienna all either suffered from the after-effects of a traumatic brain injury, or were family members or care-givers. Many victims of traumatic brain injuries suffer from a range of disabilities affecting concentration and movement that are often not immediately obvious to an outsider. These 'hidden disabilities' frequently prevent sufferers from actively participating in public life (work, sports, travel, etc.) and can lead to further isolation and marginalization. The Austrian Association of Trauma and Brain Injured is part of BIF -- the European Confederation of Associations of Families, which was founded in
1999 to promote the interests of brain injured people and improve the assistance which can be given to them as well as their families.
In his welcoming statement, UNIS Vienna Director Maher Nasser spoke of the important milestone that the Convention marked, but that much remained to be done, including in raising awareness among governments, employers, and the general public to ensure the rights of persons with disabilities are fully recognized and protected. "Persons with disabilities are the world's largest minority with over 10 per cent of the world's population officially considered 'disabled'. The United Nations were established over 60 years ago to look after and protect the rights and interests of minorities." He also highlighted the vital role of Civil Society in addressing these important issues.
Several of the participants gave moving personal statements, and reminded all present of the challenges and discrimination they are faced with every day. Dr Nikolaus Steinhoff, representative of the Austrian Association of Trauma and Brain Injured and organizer of the European Trauma Cultural Days spoke of brain injury and trauma as "the most complex injury of the most complex organ" and outlined the various ways in which patients, as well as their families struggle with everyday tasks such as getting dressed, shopping, let alone participate in employment, education and leisure activities. As one participant pointed out: "A brain injury completely changes your life from one minute to the next -- your life and that of your surroundings. And remember: it can happen to anyone at any time."
The event was also an eye-opener to able-bodied colleagues who were given the opportunity to see their workplace from a different perspective and notice the many obstacles that are in place, even in the relatively disabled-friendly VIC. The frank and open exchange of stories and views was very much appreciated by all participants. Some of the key points that were raised again and again were issues of access (physical access, but also access to information and access to funding) and the importance of raising awareness and building respect.
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