The 10 principles of Disability Rights

Disability discrimination laws start with the understanding that people with disabilities are full human beings with the same potentials, capacities and worth as other human beings. They can recognize that people with disabilities need benefits because of inequality, but also recognize that the root of inequality lies in a long history of unequal economic, social and political opportunities for people with disabilities (not just the natural consequence of an individual’s medical diagnosis). Disability discrimination laws acknowledge the many factors, such as prejudice, stereotypes, misplaced pity and physical barriers that together have the consequence of stopping people with disabilities from achieving their highest potential. These laws should:

• Explicitly acknowledge the existence of discrimination against people with disabilities
• Recognize the disabling impact of longstanding physical, social, economic, political, and cultural barriers
• Should not define disability purely in terms of a medical diagnosis

Different from disability discrimination laws are benefit laws, which almost always define disability using medical criteria, and focus on what people with disabilities cannot do. Many countries, including the U.S., have laws or policies that provide benefits, such as income support, low-cost healthcare, or other forms of assistance to people with disabilities and their families. These laws serve an important purpose and are needed by people with disabilities who do not have equal opportunities in such areas as employment, education, housing, and transportation.