Article 9 says:
- To enable disabled people to live independently and take part in all areas of life government should take action to ensure accessibility, equal to that of non-disabled people. This includes taking action in relation to the built environment, transport, public services or facilities, housing, as well as information and communication services, and emergency services.
- Governments should take steps to:
- develop and monitor minimum access standards and guidelines for public services and facilities
- ensure that the private sector makes services to members of the public accessible
- provide accessibility training
- ensure signs in public buildings are in easy read and Braille
- ensure more assistance and sign language interpreters are available to support access to public buildings and facilities
- promote accessible information and access to Information and Communication Technology (for example computers and the internet) for disabled people
- promote inclusive design for new information and communication technologies so that, from the start, these are designed to be accessible to, and easy to use for, disabled people.
What does this mean?
Disabled people can use this Article to measure whether the government and public bodies are doing enough to ensure accessibility of the environment. For example, if a local authority is writing a Local Development Framework, then they should include an accessibility statement which underpins the rules for new buildings, businesses, and the transport network. This statement could reflect the rights set out in the Convention.