COMPILATION OF INTERNATIONAL NORMS
AND STANDARDS RELATING TO DISABILITY
Part IV. Rights Based Perspective. 8/12   
7. Right to Participate in Cultural Activities
The right to participation in cultural activities should apply to all people, including
those with disabilities. In reality, however, persons with disabilities are often denied
the opportunities of full participation in the activities of the cultural life of the
community to which they belong. This deprivation comes about through physical and social
barriers that have evolved from ignorance, indifference and fear.
Many persons with disabilities are excluded from active participation in society
because of doorways that are too narrow for wheelchairs; steps that cannot be mounted
leading to buildings, buses, trains and aircraft; telephones and light switches that
cannot be reached; sanitary facilities that cannot be used. Similarly, other types of
barriers can exclude persons with disabilities, for example, oral communication, which
ignores the needs of the hearing impaired and written information, which ignores the needs
of the visually impaired. Such barriers are the result of the ignorance and lack of
concern; they exist despite the fact that most of them could be avoided at no great cost
by careful planning. Although some countries have enacted legislation and launched
campaigns of public education to eliminate obstacles, the problem remains a crucial one.
Generally, existing services, facilities and social actions for the prevention of
impairment, the rehabilitation of persons with disabilities and their integration
into society are closely linked to the Governments' and society's willingness and ability
to allocate resources, income and services to disadvantaged population groups.
Article 27of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights confers a
general right to participate in cultural life of the community. A right to participate in
cultural life is contained in the Additional Protocol to the American Convention
on Human Rights in the Area of Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights. Article 14
outlines the right of everyone to take part in the cultural and artistic life of the
community. Article 17 (2) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights
guarantees a right to every individual to take part in the cultural life of his community.
Article 15 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural
Rights recognises the right of everyone to take part in cultural life. This right
is violated, for example, when access is not possible to facilities in which cultural
activities take place (cinemas, theatres, libraries, sport stadiums, museums, etc), and
when disabled persons are excluded on account of prejudices in respect of their ability to
participate.
Rule 10 of The Standard Rules on the Equalization of Opportunities for Persons
with Disabilities provides that States must ensure that persons with disabilities
are integrated into and can participate in cultural activities on an equal basis.
The World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons in
itsparagraph 135, provides that States should commit themselves to ensure that disabled
persons have the opportunity to utilise their creative, artistic and intellectual
potential to the full, not only for their own benefit but also for the enrichment of the
community. To this end, access to cultural activities should de ensured.
Return to top
|
