Article 26 says:
- Governments must take effective steps to enable disabled people to maximise their independence, develop their independent living and work skills, and manage their impairment or health condition.
- Governments must make sure disabled people have access to services which are available as soon as people need them and as close as possible to where people live.
- Professionals and staff working in these services should be properly trained.
- Governments should also ensure everyone is aware of and can use the range of equipment and technology available to support independent living.
What does this mean?
This right is about maximising your skills for independent living.
Habilitation means learning a new skill that you didn’t have before, whilst rehabilitation means relearning a skill, for example walking or talking. Another word for rehabilitation is ‘re-ablement’.
This right could be used to encourage social services to provide modern aids and equipment, rather than relying on old, recycled stock which may meet a need but does not do it as well as modern technology.