Government Urged to Ratify Disability Convention

The disability charity, Scope, is urging the government to ratify the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The convention sets out the rights of disabled people, covering civil and political rights, accessibility, participation and inclusion, education, health, employment and social protection.

Scope's executive cirector, Andy Rickell, said he was concerned that the UK would opt out of several sections - including the right to attend a mainstream school, the right not to live in a residential home, and the right to be treated as someone with the capacity to make decisions on their own behalf.

"We are seriously concerned that the government will not ratify this treaty in its entirety ... There cannot be a 'pick and mix' approach on this. It will weaken the value of the convention and also undermine the government's record on promoting disabled people's human rights."