Sightsavers launches disability rights petition

Sightsavers Ireland has launched a petition calling for disability rights to be upheld by the United Nations and the Irish government.

The petition addresses the fact that in many countries, people with disabilities experience high levels of discrimination and are denied the rights to go to school, find a job, access health care and take part in political processes.

The petition is part of Sightsavers’ Put Us in the Picture campaign, which calls for political leaders and global organisations to ensure the one billion people with disabilities around the world, 800 million of whom live in developing countries, can claim their rights and participate fully in society.

Sightsavers Ireland’s Communications Manager Ali Bough said: “Our petition has a global call for the United Nations and its member states to uphold disability rights, and a national call for the Irish government to make people with disabilities a priority in its international development policy. By signing the petition and supporting Put Us in the Picture, our supporters can show our government and the world that it’s time to put an end to disability discrimination and make sure people with disabilities around the world can access their rights to education, employment, health and political participation.”

Petition signatures will be collected between June and September. The global petition will be handed in to the UN during its General Assembly in New York in September, with the national petition handed directly to the Irish government at the same time. Irish supporters can sign one or both calls for action on disability rights – find out more and sign the petition.