Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

Adopted by General Assembly resolution 61/106 of December 13, 2006

Article 29

Participation in political and public life

The Participating States guarantee political rights and the opportunity for persons with disabilities to enjoy them on an equal basis with others and undertake:

(a) Ensure that persons with disabilities can participate effectively and comprehensively, directly or through freely chosen representatives, in political and public life on an equal basis with others, including the right and opportunity to vote and be elected, in particular by:

(i) Ensuring that voting procedures, facilities and materials are appropriate, accessible and easy to understand and use;

ii) protecting the right of persons with disabilities to participate in secret voting in elections and public referendums without intimidation and to nominate their candidates for elections, to actually hold positions and perform all public functions at all levels of Government — with the assistance of the use of assistive and new technologies, where appropriate;

(iii) Guaranteeing the free expression of the will of persons with disabilities as voters and, to this end, satisfying, when necessary, their requests for assistance with voting by a person of their choice;

(b) Actively contribute to the creation of an environment in which persons with disabilities can participate effectively and fully in the management of public affairs without discrimination and on an equal basis with others, and encourage their participation in public affairs, including:

i) participation in non-governmental organizations and associations whose work is related to the state and political life of the country, including in the activities of political parties and their leadership;

(ii) Establishing and joining organizations of persons with disabilities to represent persons with disabilities at the international, national, regional and local levels.