My Vision

Throughout the world the pandemic has shown us, how far we are from the vision of the CRPD.

We need to get back to basics and secure the foundation.

Throughout the world the pandemic has shown us, how far we are from the vision of the CRPD.

People with disabilities have been left behind. During lock-down, people have been isolated in institutions or at home, as services have been reduced or shot-down. People have experienced a loss of income, for example through job-less, and an increase in expenses. Health services have been disrupted, with postponements and cancelling of for example rehabilitation. And too often the needs of people with disability has come as an afterthought to the emergency plans, including vaccine roll-out. We have had to learn to for example study or work online, and too often at the cost of accessibility. And those who cannot use all the new digital solutions are truly left behind.

We need to get back to basics and secure the foundation, if we are to build back better and achieve the vision of the CRPD.

- Persons with disabilities and their organisations must have a seat at the table

Nothing about us, without us has for many years been the key message from the disability organizations and the pandemic has shown, that the best solutions are developed together. That a close dialogue

between authorities and disability organisations is vital – else you risk leaving people with disability behind or you or having to develop later add-on solutions.

- Accessibility is a prerequisite for equal access

We need to always work with accessibility, no matter if we build buildings or objects, work with information, communication and technology or with services. We need to base our work with Universal Design or Universal Courtesy, working with the principles of designing for all and striving to use courtesy to create an environment, where we can all thrice.

- To achieve equality – we need to pay attention to the differences

Our gender, our disability and our background makes a difference. And if we want to make to move towards equal opportunities, we need to recognize this. A woman with disability is less likely to be employed, than a man with a disability or a woman without a disability. A girl with disability is less likely to get an education, than a boy with a disability or a girl without a disability. People with a mental disability are often faces with more discrimination, than people who are dependent on a wheelchair or who are blind. And if you come from a family with resources, or a society with resources, you are more likely to have a positive outcome in all areas, than a person born under difficult circumstances. We need to acknowledge the differences and strive to give the support needed if we are to move towards the fulfillment of the vision of the CRPD.

Sif Holst

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