Our Common Humanity in the Information Age. Principles and Values for Development

INCLUSION OF THE DISABLED
Robert H. Nagel, ICT Specialist, Chairman, eSecureDocs, Inc.
UN in its entirety has shown great partnership on the preparatory phases of the 
Convention on Disabilities.
Many changes have taken place in the four years of preparations for the Convention. A 
portion of the UN web site called “enable” allows people with disabilities to follow 
events of the Ad Hoc Committee on Disability from around the world. The Secretariat 
has taken steps to improve access and services for all people with disabilities. Security 
clearance is easier. A section has been set aside for people in wheelchairs in the main 
room, and they can now approach the stage to make a comment. Deaf people have an 
induction loop that allows them to connect their hearing aids directly to the translation 
system. Signers are available when they are needed. As a blind person, I can get up-to-
date digital copies of documents from the “enable” section of the UN web site so my 
adaptive technology can read the documents to me. I can also download the actual digital 
sound recordings of sessions from the FTP UN web site and review the day’s activity 
from my computer. Braille copies of important documents are made available on a timely 
basis.
These are welcome changes in the physical access to information. Other major inclusive 
changes have occurred. Movement has been made away from the reliance on experts who 
talk  about people with disabilities to people with disabilities discussing their own relevant 
experiences. Informal Sessions that were strictly limited to states parties now include 
people with disabilities. The Inter-Session Drafting Group, which was previously limited 
to states parties, experts, and international lawyers, now includes many people with 
disabilities. Our experience and expertise was openly welcomed at all levels of this 
process. One of the dramatic changes that have occurred is in the membership of the 
national delegations to the Ad Hoc Committee.
I believe it is the sense of our common humanity that has allowed nations with strongly 
opposing issues, to reach a consensus on this convention. This convention draws its 
strength from the practice of inclusion, for it is through the practice of inclusion that the 
manner in which the Ad Hoc Committee on Disabilities interacts with people with 
disabilities was transformed. In turn, the composition of nation-state delegations to the 

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Chapter VII – Shared Responsibility and Partnerships | 139 
Ad Hoc Committee was transformed. I envision this wave of spreading inclusion will 
transform the way nation-states interact with their own citizens who have disabilities.
Although I am speaking to you as a single person with a disability, I am sure that I speak in 
accord with the 650 million people with life-altering disabilities when I say “Thank You” 
for this possibility of turning a dream into reality: the dream of inclusion within our own 
societies through shared responsibility and partnership. The dream of lowering of barriers 
to the exercise of our civil and political rights … the dream of a world that works for 
every single person.