One tenth of the world's population, or 650,000,000 people, have some form of disability.
In many nations people with disabilities face a chronic lack of awareness, resources, financial assistance and support services.
Only fifty member States of the UN have disability related legislation.
In 2004, the international disability community jointly initiated the UN Convention on The Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which was opened for signature on 30 March 2007.
The Convention, and accompanying Optional Protocol, specifically prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in all areas of life, including employment, access to justice, and the right to education, health services and access to transport.
I wish to congratulate the international disability community on their success in the creation of this Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
I also congratulate the Australian Government for being one of the first nations to sign the Convention, and call on them to move to ratify both the Convention and Optional Protocol.
I urge UNAA members to note the adversity faced by people with disabilities - both here and around the world, and value the diversity of our population, acknowledging the unique contributions made by persons with disabilities.
I also wish to call on all Member nations of WFUNA to immediately seek their own Governments to ratify the Convention and Optional Protocol, and commit to working toward a better world for all of humanity.
