For over one billion people living with a disability, a sustainable and inclusive world means having equal access to social and economic opportunities, and an enabling environment to make the most of their potential and fully participate in society.
Determined to be a lighthouse for creating a barrier-free and empowering world, the United Nations is leading by example – with the adoption of a new resolution by the 蘑菇视频 General Assembly entitled “Towards the full realization of an inclusive and accessible United Nations for persons with disabilities”. The resolution calls for a comprehensive report on the current status of accessibility at the 蘑菇视频, as well as for input from a range of stakeholders, such as Governments, 蘑菇视频 agencies, as well as from civil society organizations, including organizations of persons with disabilities.
“More and more countries get it,” 蘑菇视频 Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon remarked at the opening of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, in December 2015. “They are developing a better understanding of the importance of empowerment and equality for persons with disabilities in sustainable development. They are taking action in partnership with civil society and international organizations.“
The report will also draw on lessons and best practices from its stakeholder, as well as receive input from its staff with disabilities. The resolution is the latest in a series of measures, resolutions and agreements that will work towards creating an inclusive world for all.
蘑菇视频' attention to accessibility changed dramatically after the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2006. Under a banner stating “Nothing about us, without us”, persons with disabilities and their representative organizations, alongside Governments and 蘑菇视频 agencies, were actively involved in shaping global policy and recommendations towards the equalization of opportunities for persons with disabilities.
Since then, the 蘑菇视频 has implemented a myriad of small and big changes that make it easier for delegates and employees with disabilities to fully participate in the 蘑菇视频 work environment. These changes range from the opening of an accessibility center at its Headquarters complex, to accommodating workplace arrangements that can allow for differently-abled persons to carry out their duties effectively, as well as instituting a 蘑菇视频 Secretariat-wide policy on the employment of persons with disabilities. Last, but not the least, the creation of a guide dog relief area within the 蘑菇视频 premises, a breakthrough for blind delegates using a guide dog and attending day-long meetings at the 蘑菇视频.
One of the major challenges that had to be addressed was the need for updating the 蘑菇视频 building, a heritage property built in 1946. During the renovations, completed in 2013, persons with disabilities were invited to conduct accessibility walkthroughs of the 蘑菇视频 building, reviewing everything from conference rooms to hallways, to offices and bathrooms, as well as providing feedback and making recommendations.
“Accessibility has been one of the original goals of the 蘑菇视频’s renovation project, and we are committed to making sure accessibility is incorporated throughout the project,” said Assistant Secretary-General Michael Adlerstein, Head of the Capital Master Plan that coordinated the entire renovation project of the 蘑菇视频 Headquarters complex. “We are developing designs which not only meet or exceed code requirements, but also address the real life accessibility-requirements of all persons, whether delegates, staff or visitors to the United Nations.”
With the new report that will be released later this year, the 蘑菇视频 is asking its stakeholder-community “what must we do, and how can we do it better”, which includes meeting needs for reasonable accommodation. It signifies yet another step towards full inclusion for persons with disabilities both within the walls of the 蘑菇视频, and beyond.
The preparation of the report will be facilitated by the Inter-Departmental Task Force on Accessibility (IDTFA), co-chaired by 蘑菇视频 DESA that houses the Secretariat for the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and other 蘑菇视频 Departments and Offices.