D. Awareness-raising and training
Awareness-raising, including training, is another important implementation measure. As disability is the result of the interaction
between impairment and an unwelcoming environment—environment refers not only to the physical environment but also to unwelcoming
attitudes and negative or inaccessible information in society—awareness-raising and training about the Convention are essential
if the environment is to be changed.
Awareness-raising
Article 8 is specifically devoted to awareness-raising, setting out a whole range of measures that State parties should take,
in particular to:
- Raise awareness throughout society, including the family, to foster respect for rights
- Combat stereotypes, prejudices and harmful practices
- Promote awareness of the capabilities and contributions of persons with disabilities.
This can be done through public awareness campaigns, the education system, the media and awareness-training programmes.
Other articles require State parties to provide information to persons with disabilities, which is also a form of awareness-raising.
For example, States undertake to:
- Provide accessible information to persons with disabilities about mobility aids, devices and assistive technologies as well
as other forms of assistance, support services and facilities (art. 4);
- Provide to persons with disabilities information and education on how to avoid, recognize and report instances of exploitation,
violence and abuse (art. 16);
- Ensure access to age-appropriate information, reproductive and family planning education (art. 23);
- Provide early and comprehensive information to children with disabilities and their families to ensure that children with
disabilities have equal rights with respect to family life (art. 23).
Training
Article 4 underlines the importance of training. The State is required to promote the training of professionals and staff working with persons with disabilities in relation to the rights in the Convention so as to provide
better assistance and services.
The Convention promotes training in the broader community, for instance of professionals as well as of persons with disabilities.
For the former, it promotes:
- Training for stakeholders on accessibility issues (art. 9)
- Training for those working in the field of administration of justice, including police and prison staff (art. 13)
- Training in mobility skills to specialist staff working with persons with disabilities (art. 20)
- Training to professionals and staff who work at all levels of education (including disability awareness and the use of appropriate
augmentative and alternative modes of communication, educational techniques and materials to support persons with disabilities)
(art. 24)
- Training of health professionals and the promulgation of ethical standards for public and private health care (art. 25)
- Training for professionals and staff working in habilitation and rehabilitation services (art. 26)
- Training through international cooperation (art. 32).
Training for the latter—beyond the right to education itself—is referred to as follows:
- Training in mobility skills (art. 20)
- Vocational and continuing training (arts. 24 and 27)
- Training to ensure access to assistance by persons with disabilities and their families living in situations of poverty (art.
28)
- Training so that persons with disabilities have an opportunity to organize, develop and participate in disability-specific
sporting and recreational activities (art. 30).