For Inclusive Quality Police Services for Persons with Disabilities

The Special Envoy of the UNSG on Disability and Accessibility has launched a campaign promoting inclusive quality police services for persons with disabilities. The guidelines and video are contributions to the training process of persons working in the administration of justice, including police personnel. They highlight the role played by the States Parties to this Convention in order to ensure Access to Justice for Persons with Disabilities, in addition to achieving Sustainable Development Goal No. 16 of the 2030 Agenda (dedicated to the promotion of peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, the provision of access to justice for all, and building effective, accountable institutions at all levels) and Sustainable Development Goal No. 11 (make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable).

The guidelines highlight 10 areas of action that serve to enforce awareness of persons with disabilities to breakdown societal barriers and allow for full access to police services and proper rights for those in the field. Based on this, not only should reference be made to the interaction of police personnel, but it is also imperative to adopt pertinent measures to ensure access by persons with disabilities to police premises, facilities and transportation, to information and procedural communications, accepting and facilitating the use of sign language, Braille, augmentative and alternative modes, means and formats of communication chosen by persons with disabilities.

The guidelines have been published in English and Spanish.

Source: Special Envoy of the UNSG on Disability and Accessibility