The CRPD is guided by several key principles that inform all its articles:

​

• Respect for inherent dignity and individual autonomy, including the freedom to make one's own choices.

• Non-discrimination, ensuring people with disabilities are not treated unfairly.

• Full and effective participation and inclusion in society.

• Respect for difference and the acceptance of persons with disabilities as part of human diversity.

• Accessibility (Article 9), requiring states to remove barriers in the physical environment, transportation, information, and communication.

​

​

Key Substantive Rights

​

The CRPD guarantees a wide range of rights, applying them specifically to the context of disability. Some of the most significant clauses include:

​

• Equal Recognition Before the Law (Article 12): This is a groundbreaking article that recognizes the legal capacity of persons with disabilities on an equal basis with others. It calls for states to provide support, such as supported decision-making, to enable people to exercise their legal capacity, challenging traditional guardianship systems.

• Right to Live Independently and Be Included in the Community (Article 19): This clause is a cornerstone of the Convention. It establishes the right of persons with disabilities to choose their place of residence and who they live with, and to have access to a range of in-home, residential, and other community support services to prevent isolation or segregation.

• Education (Article 24): The CRPD promotes inclusive education at all levels. It requires states to provide an inclusive, quality, and free primary and secondary education for all persons with disabilities in their own communities, with the provision of reasonable accommodation.

• Work and Employment (Article 27): This article guarantees the right to work on an equal basis with others in a work environment that is open, inclusive, and accessible. It also mandates protection from exploitation and discrimination.

• Health (Article 25): States must provide the same range, quality, and standard of free or affordable health care to persons with disabilities as is available to others, including gender-sensitive health services.

• Accessibility (Article 9): This is a cross-cutting clause that requires states to take appropriate measures to ensure that persons with disabilities have access to the physical environment, transportation, information and communication, and other facilities and services open to the public.

​

​

Monitoring and Implementation

​

The CRPD includes mechanisms to ensure states fulfill their obligations.

• State Party Reporting (Article 35): Each state that has ratified the Convention must submit a report to the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities on the measures they have taken to implement the treaty.

• Optional Protocol: An optional protocol to the Convention allows the Committee to receive and consider individual complaints from people who allege that their rights under the CRPD have been violated.