The human rights model focuses on the inherent dignity of the human being and subsequently,

but only if necessary, on the person’s medical characteristics. It places the individual centre stage
in all decisions affecting him/her and, most importantly, locates the main ‘problem’ outside the
person and in society

In its 2011 report, the Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone noted approvingly the passage
in that year of the Persons with Disabilities Act 2011, which “would address the human rights
concerns of Persons with Disability,” but added “that this Act has not been popularized and not
much has been done to implement it, particularly the establishment of the National Commission
for Persons with Disability.”

Sierra Leone has made notable progress in promoting inclusive development. It brought the
international Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) into its own
domestic Disability Act in 2011. Following this, Sierra Leone established the National
Commission for Persons with Disability in 2012 to ensure that the Disability Act was put into
practice.

The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is an international human rights treaty
of the United Nations intended to protect the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities.
Parties to the convention are required to promote, protect, and ensure the full enjoyment of
human rights by persons with disabilities and ensure that persons with disabilities enjoy full
equality under the law. The Convention serves as a major catalyst in the global disability rights
movement enabling a shift from viewing persons with disabilities as objects of charity, medical
treatment and social protection towards viewing them as full and equal members of society, with
human rights. The convention was the first U.N. human rights treaty of the twenty-first century.

The Convention challenges people worldwide to understand disability as a human rights issue.
The Convention covers many areas where obstacles can arise, such as physical access to
buildings, roads and transportation, and access to information through written and electronic
communications. The Convention also aims to reduce stigma and discrimination, which are often
reasons why people with disability are excluded from education, employment and health and
other services.

For the first time, a legally binding international instrument now exists to guarantee that States
that have ratified the treaty will promote and protect the rights of people with disability. These
States will next work on passing their own national civil rights legislation to improve the lives of
people with disability.

Sierra Leone has made notable progress in promoting inclusive development. It brought the
international Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) into its own
domestic Disability Act in 2011. Following this, Sierra Leone established the National
Commission for Persons with Disability in 2012 to ensure that the Disability Act was put into
practice.
Help us to change the culture, put human rights, specifically disability rights, in everyone's head.

Further promote and add foundation to legislative law specific to disability rights

Assists disability activists/advocates a rights framework to advance people's access to a fair share
of public goods and services and ultimately citizenship as opposed to quasi- or conditional
citizenship

Binds Sierra Leone to a human rights process that is international

Ratification will put the human rights of people with disabilities on the forefront of political,
government and community agenda

The Convention: acknowledging and respecting the rights of people with disabilities and
ensuring a whole of community approach to societal inclusion in compliance with Australia 's
global commitment.

Promotes dignity and pride for a person with a disability

Ratification will benefit the whole community through the promotion of universal design

Provides us with an international benchmark

Provides a framework to support submissions, advocacy and discussion regarding individual and
systemic disability issues

A new opportunity for people with disabilities to gain value and be recognised as contributors to
their respective communities and for this to be acknowledged on the national level by the
development of systems, laws, protocols to effectively support this.

Creates an opportunity to hang some major education, awareness raising and target setting in
Sierra Leone, broader than individual governments, states or sectors.

A human rights framework that will, over time, raise awareness, inform laws, regulations, policy
and program delivery

Provide governments, disability sector, industry and service providers with a clear framework for
ensuring people with disability are treated fairly and equitably in all aspects of life.

Hopefully assist advocates in their fight for greater resource allocation to people with disabilities

The signing of the Convention by the Sierra Leone government was an important symbolic step
for disability rights in Sierra Leone.

REFERENCES
Teasdale, Brittney (2010-07-29). "Government discussion turns to issues of the disabled in Sierra Leone".
Journalists for Human Rights. Archived from the original on 2015-05-18. Retrieved 2015-05-17.

"Mobility Matters for Polio-disabled of Sierra Leone" (Press release). Prweb.com. Retrieved 2015-05-17.