UN calls for removing barriers for persons with disabilities

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Friday called on the world to end discrimination, remove barriers and ensure equal participation for persons with disabilities.

Ban made the remarks at a high-level meeting on the 10th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Ban noted that children with disabilities have less access to education, and adults with disabilities are less likely to be employed.

"Inaccessible work places, discrimination and negative attitudes are a major barrier," said Ban.

In this regard, the UN chief called on national and local governments, businesses and all actors in society to intensify efforts to remove environmental and attitudinal obstacles that prevent persons with disabilities from enjoying their civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights.

The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities was adopted on 13 December 2006.

Countries that join in the Convention engage themselves to develop and carry out policies, laws and administrative measures for securing the rights for persons with disabilities and abolish laws, regulations, customs and practices that constitute discrimination. Enditem