Equality: A Human Right

[SARN Memo for January 7, 2009]

In many places, adults with disabilities do not get equal treatment. Sometimes family members don’t let you make your own decisions—about money or about who you live with.

But we have rights. In 2007, the United Nations passed a new law. It says people with disabilities have the same rights as everyone else. It says we have the right to be treated as equal citizens.

1. The Problem: Lack of Equality before the Law
2. What Does the New UN Law Say?
3. Group Activity: Laws Come from Dreams
4. Resource

• Respond to this memo!

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1. The Problem: Lack of Equality before the Law

Sound familiar?

• What does equal mean? I can’t vote and I don’t have a job.
• My country’s law says I cannot make my own decisions.
• It feels like there is a wall between me and others. It’s a wall I can’t see, but I can feel it.
• Our school didn’t have the money to teach me.
• My family often ignores what I want.

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2. What Does the New UN Law Say?

Here are some of what the new law says about equality (paraphrased):

• We need laws that protect our equal rights.
• Society must break down the walls that keep us from having the same rights as everyone else.
• Discrimination is one wall. So is poverty. So is poor education.
• Once the walls are down, we still need support.
• Because of discrimination in the past, we need extra help to make things right.
• We have the legal right to make decisions about our lives.

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3. Group Activity: Laws Come from Dreams

Pass out paper. Ask each person (with support) to draw a picture or write down one law he or she would like to have to protect his or her equal rights. Later, ask a local leader to come to your meeting. Each person can show and tell about his or her idea. Then discuss what laws you do have. Also talk about how to get new ones.

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4. Resource

We Have Human Rights
(28 pp, full color)
Today’s memo is based on a dynamite new book for people with developmental disabilities. You can use it to learn about your rights. You can also use it to talk with others about your rights. It even has great exercises for your group. It’s written for self-advocates around the world.

1. Free download. Get a free download copy of the book from the publisher, Harvard Project on Disability.
2. Order a hard copy. Order hard copies of the book in volume discounts from ACT’s online catalog.

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