16 July 2013: The Sixth Conference of States Parties (COP 6) to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) addressed reducing poverty and expanding social protection for persons with disabilities with the theme ‘The way forward: A disability-inclusive development agenda towards 2015 and beyond.’ Preparations for the Conference, which convened from 17-19 July 2013, in New York, US, included three background papers to support preparations and discussion.

The paper on ‘Economic Empowerment Through Inclusive Social Protection and Poverty Reduction Strategies (CRPD/CSP/2013/2) notes that the promotion of decent employment and social protection are key elements of the emerging post-2015 development framework. The authors suggest that relevant social protection systems include: disability pensions; health coverage that supports persons with disabilities to join or rejoin the labor market; and financial support to cover disability-related costs of participation in employment. They highlight that national social protection floors are relevant for addressing disability, and call for supporting the participation of children with disabilities in education and vocational training programmes.

The paper on ‘Disability-inclusive development in national, regional and international processes’ (CRPD/CSP/2013/3) identifies preparatory processes towards the post-2015 development agenda that can provide entry points for the participation of persons with disabilities and the integration of disability perspectives.

The paper on ‘Community-based rehabilitation and habilitation for inclusive society’ (CRPD/CSP/2013/4) discusses community-based rehabilitation as a strategy to ensure an adequate standard of living and the empowerment of persons with disabilities, relating this to sustainable development. The paper provides material for discussion at an informal panel to be held on 18 July 2013, during COP 6 of the CPRD.

The UN General Assembly (UNGA) has expressed concern that persons with disabilities have remained largely invisible in the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), and has called for the inclusion and mainstreaming of disability issues in national plans and tools, including in poverty eradication efforts.

The UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) is the focal point on disability in the UN system, and compliance with the CRPD is promoted through the Inter-Agency Support Group on the CRPD. [Background Papers] [UN Press Release on COP 6] [Webpage on CPRD COP 6]