Disabled Peoples' International Europe: Delegates from 27 Countries Meet to Discuss Bioethics and Human Rights Judgements are frequently made about the quality of life of those of us who are disabled, without considering all the things that cause and affect our situation - often because disabled people are not asked as the direct experts. In February, disability rights activists from 27 countries agreed on a powerful and unified declaration The Right To Live and Be Different 130 delegates at the Disabled People, Bioethics and Human Rights conference in Solihull, UK, created the resolutions that formed this declaration. This declaration is not just of great importance to disabled people and the professionals who wish to help us: "These issues concern everyone - anyone whose life will be called into question when elderly and having suffered a stroke; any child of an ageing relative in the same situation; any parents-to-be; anyone with a genetic predisposition to a specific disease/impairment who may experience employment or insurance discrimination having taken a test, the results of which have to be declared publicly; anyone who has experienced the removal of organs from a deceased relative or child, where consent has not been given." (DPI 07.03.2000) Human rights and health Disabled people, like everyone else, need good healthcare and real allies. We appreciate the progress of medical science where it improves our quality of life; indeed, some disabled people depend on it. However, disability is not a simple health issue, it is also a rights issue and the majority of disabled people are not dying or ill. Some biotechnology can be used for eugenic purposes, based on the assumption it is better not to live than to be disabled, for example the predictive testing which leads to most identified unborn children carrying Down Syndrome to be terminated. Disability activists assert that the poor quality of life experienced by disabled people is not caused by personal biology alone. Barriers in the environment and people’s attitudes are created and enforced by society - these cause many of the difficulties faced by disabled people in their daily lives. This includes things such as, lack of access and support, prejudice, discrimination, social exclusion and in many countries extreme poverty and lack of basic healthcare. Disability is the total result of the oppression against, and inferior rights awarded to most people who are born with or who acquire "impairments". Positive progress As disabled people, we are the ones who must decide what is, for us, a health issue and must get involved in influencing our own futures. The declaration is a tool for encouraging positive action towards leading the debates that affect our lives and it calls on disabled people to work with those who influence our rights. Our genuine allies will be proactive in asking disabled people what assistance we need to improve our quality of life and working with us to affect positive change. Disabled people, our families and potential families deserve to be offered truly informed choices that respect the rights of all people equally. Perhaps some of the funding, going into well-meaning, but misguided scientific research into how to eradicate so-called disabling characteristics, could be put to more beneficial use? The people involved in the world-wide campaign for the equal human rights of disabled people have many exciting and practical ideas about how to create an inclusive society to benefit ALL people. Just ask us.
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