Rio+20 Joins the Village

A couple weeks ago, we asked who would join our village in making the impossible possible to ensure people with intellectual disabilities, bound by discrimination, isolation, misunderstanding and poverty, would be on the forefront of the Global Development agenda. This week, at the Rio+20 Conference, world leaders, participants from the private sector, NGOs and other organizations, gathered to shape the course of reducing poverty and advancing social equity for a safer, cleaner, greener and more prosperous world for all. Rio+20 participants demonstrated their commitment to this urgent call by including disability in the Rio+20 outcome document with five specific references:

Paragraph 9: Responsibilities of States to respect, protect and promote human rights and fundamental freedom for all.

Paragraph 43: Participation and access to information and judicial and administrative proceedings for promotion of sustainable development.

Paragraph 58(k): Affirming that green economy policies in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication should …enhance the welfare of persons with disabilities.

Paragraph 135: Commit to promote an integrated approach to planning and building sustainable cities and urban settlements, and commit to promote sustainable development policies that support inclusive housing and social services; a safe and healthy living environment for all, particularly, disabled persons.

Paragraph 229: Stress the need for ensuring equal access to education for persons with disabilities.

This is a positive step in helping make the impossible possible. Now we ask you to join our village in helping transform these commitments into actions so that every person with disabilities is able to reach their full potential.