ABSTRACT
WBU-ICEVI 2012
WBU-ICEVI General Assemblies: Achieving Our Vision through Empowerment and Partnerships
The Imperial Queen’s Park Hotel
Bangkok, THAILAND
Parallel Session-1 title: “The CRPD”
Topic: “The WBU Tool Kit and how it is used by members”
Date: 15/11/2012 at 11:00-12:30
Author: Dr. Victor John Cordeiro, Advocacy Coordinator, WBU.
Contact details: E. or M. +919448071644
Objective:
The main objective of this session is to facilitate the delegates to familiarize the objective, framework, concepts and utility of CRPD tool kit prepared by WBU and encourage them through sensitization for extensive application and use of the same in their advocacy and campaigning initiatives aimed at speedy and effective monitoring and implementation of CRPD articles in favour of persons who are blind and partially sighted within the available resources of national member organisations and regional unions.
Content:
The adoption of UNCRPD by UN General Assembly on December 13, 2006 which came in to force on May 3, 2008 marks a distinct and definite departure from Soft law regime to hard law regime in the history of disabled people’s movement in the world. This is a powerful human rights instrument which places unlimited power in the hands of persons with disabilities in order to make positive impact on their life situations. No doubt this instrument has potential to make significant differences in the lives of persons with disabilities when it is implemented effectively on ground in letter and spirit but the implementation depends upon the national GOVTS.
Understanding the importance of signing and ratification with optional protocol and speedy and effective implementation of CRPD, WBU devised an effective strategy as per Article 4 (3) of the convention through strategic engagement of its member organisations at the national and their unions at the regional levels. This strategic intervention of WBU has two principle objectives; 1. To support its members to advocate for ratification of the CRPD and its optional protocol in those countries that have not yet ratified the treaty and
- To support its members to advocate for implementation of the CRPD in a way that addresses the specific needs of blind and partially sighted persons to participate in the monitoring of that implementation
The first step towards achieving the stated objectives of WBU strategy on CRPD was building the knowledge base through the preparation of a tool kit in order to deepen and widen the understanding of WBU member organisations on CRPD, human rights, UN systems and processes. The key objective of this tool kit is:
This toolkit has been developed for the use of members of The World Blind Union which is a collection of material to help individuals, groups and organisations understand and use the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). Countries that have ratified the CRPD must include disabled people in their monitoring mechanisms and this resource will provide a starting point for blind and partially sighted people and their supporters.
In countries that have not yet ratified the CRPD disabled people are working together to learn about the CRPD and to encourage their governments to ratify it. These tools will assist them too.
The development of the CRPD has the opportunity to make an enormous difference in the lives of persons with disabilities around the world. However, it will only have its intended impact if implemented and monitored effectively at the national level. The WBU encourages all of its national members to advocate for the ratification of the CRPD in their own countries, to influence the implementation of the CRPD once it is ratified, and to contribute to monitoring the effectiveness of that implementation, using the tools described in this toolkit.
The tool kit is divided in to various parts which include:
1.Introduction To The Toolkit; 2.An Introduction to Human Rights and the CRPD. Questions And Answers; 3.Overview and Plain Language Text of the CRPD; 4.A More Detailed Guide To The CRPD; 5.WBU Analysis Of CRPD Relevance; 6. WBU Checklist for CRPD Articles; 7.CRPD Networks
8.A Guide To Advocacy; 9.Monitoring; 10.Conclusion
11.Appendices: a.Plain Language Text of the CRPD; b.WBU Analysis of CRPD Relevance; c.WBU Checklist for CRPD Articles; d.WBU CRPD Network Role Descriptions; e.Advocacy Planning Tool; f.Annotated List Of Further Resources
The tool kit provides a perspective reading on the specific issues of Blind/Partially sighted persons. It is an effective tool for Blind/Partially sighted activists and their representative organisations to intensify their engagement with stakeholders including the national GOVT. It provides access to a wide range of resources for advocacy and campaigning.
Conclusion:
It is an important and effective tool which has potential to equip Blind/Partially sighted persons to ensure effective monitoring and implementation of CRPD on the ground. The application and usage of this tool demands some kind of face to face sensitization or orientation to users. Orientation also helpful in making users to have common understanding on key concepts and terminologies used in the kit. CRPD champions and regional coordinators will have to play a proactive role in promoting the use of this kit among the member organisations at all levels of advocacy and campaigning initiatives.
Dr. V.J. Cordeiro
Advocacy Coordinator,
World Blind Union
M. +919448071644
E. or