Localization to Solve the Accessibility Crisis; Recommendations to States Parties for Immediate Action

June 14, 2023 7:25 am Published by Fridah Mlemwa

Humanity is facing a crisis of growing inequalities that requires immediate action to guarantee an equitable future shaped by dignity and human rights.

Global aspirations to ‘leave no one behind’ and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) must be implemented into local actions if we want to make sure that the obligations of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) are met. One critical area that needs to be addressed is the accessibility barriers and discrimination faced by persons with disabilities and older persons.

Accessibility is an internationally recognized human right and a precondition for inclusion and participation in society. In the present context of rapid urbanization, the proliferation of accessibility barriers has become a pressing concern, further exacerbating social exclusion and deepening inequalities within urban communities.

There is an urgent need to accelerate the implementation of comprehensive accessibility measures across physical environments, transportation, information, and communication technologies in line with CRPD Article 9. Further urgent actions are needed to support progress towards the realization of SDG11 on Sustainable Cities and Communities, which is key to achieve inclusive
urban environments and a crucial link to integrate accessibility and inclusion across all other SDGs.

As a response to this critical issue, the World Blind Union (WBU) and United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG), have developed these recommendations to:
• Stress the vital role of local and regional governments (LRGs), persons with disabilities, older persons and their representative organisations in achieving accessible and inclusive infrastructure and services for all across the urban-rural continuum
• Provide key recommendations for national governments and LRGs to collaborate in fostering localization and removing accessibility barriers for all in line with the CRPD and the global agendas.

Click this link to download the policy document: Localization to Solve the Accessibility Crisis; Recommendations to States Parties for Immediate Action pdf

The Spanish and French translations will be out in the coming weeks, stay tuned!