3. United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) is an international treaty that was passed by the United Nations in 2006. This Convention promotes and protects the rights of the person with a disability and aims to make sure that they too are treated equally within human rights law in a meaningful way. Like the UN Declaration of Human Rights and the ECHR, the UK has ratifies the Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities which mean that the national laws and policies should be compliant with it. The CPRD defines disability as including

“Those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments in interaction with various barriers may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others”

This is a broad definition of what is means to have a disability. As a care worker you will understand that people living with dementia would come under this definition. It is important to recognise this as this means that people for whom you care would be given the same rights and protections available under the CRPD.

Get more information about the CRPD.

This document is written for people who have learning disabilities and is an easy read guide to the Human Right Act 1998