Disabled people worldwide share common experiences of discrimination and common aspirations for equality, dignity, and full participation in society. This page provides an overview of disability rights across different legal systems and cultural contexts, centering the work of disabled people's organizations in each region.
Jump to your country or region:
Constitutional Protection:
Some countries include disability in their constitutions, providing the strongest form of legal protection. Examples: South Africa, Germany, Brazil.
Civil Rights/Anti-Discrimination Laws:
Laws specifically prohibiting discrimination against disabled people. Examples: Americans with Disabilities Act (US), Equality Act (UK), Disability Discrimination Act (Australia).
Sector-Specific Laws:
Laws addressing disability in particular areas (education, employment, housing) rather than comprehensive civil rights laws. Many countries use this approach.
CRPD Implementation:
Countries that ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities are obligated to implement its provisions. How countries do this varies widely.
When assessing disability rights in any country, consider:
Constitution:
No explicit disability protection. Courts have interpreted equal protection and due process clauses to provide some protection.
Americans with Disabilities Act (1990):
Comprehensive civil rights law covering employment (Title I), state and local government (Title II), public accommodations (Title III), telecommunications (Title IV), and miscellaneous provisions (Title V).
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (1973):
Prohibits discrimination by programs receiving federal funding.
Fair Housing Act (1968, amended 1988):
Prohibits housing discrimination and requires reasonable accommodations and modifications.
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act:
Guarantees free appropriate public education for disabled children.
Enforcement comes through:
Challenges:
National Council on Independent Living: Network of Centers for Independent Living nationwide
ADAPT: Direct action organization fighting for community living
Autistic Self Advocacy Network: Autistic-led organization
National Federation of the Blind: Blind people's advocacy organization
National Association of the Deaf: Deaf community advocacy
Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund: Legal advocacy organization
Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms:
Section 15 prohibits discrimination based on mental or physical disability—explicit constitutional protection.
Canadian Human Rights Act:
Federal anti-discrimination law covering employment and services within federal jurisdiction.
Provincial Human Rights Codes:
Each province has human rights legislation prohibiting disability discrimination.
Accessible Canada Act (2019):
Requires federal government and federally regulated entities to identify, remove, and prevent barriers. Establishes Accessibility Commissioner.
Disability rights vary significantly by province:
Ontario: Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) requires accessibility compliance across sectors with specific deadlines.
Other Provinces: Various accessibility laws with different requirements.
Council of Canadians with Disabilities: National cross-disability organization
ARCH Disability Law Centre: Legal clinic in Ontario
DisAbled Women's Network of Canada (DAWN): Disabled women's organization
Independent Living Canada: Network of Independent Living centres
Equality Act 2010:
Consolidated anti-discrimination law covering disability and other protected characteristics. Requires reasonable adjustments.
Human Rights Act 1998:
Incorporates European Convention on Human Rights into domestic law.
Mental Capacity Act 2005:
Governs decisions for people who lack capacity, with principles supporting maximum autonomy.
Care Act 2014:
Establishes right to assessment and support for care needs.
Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland have some separate legislation and different implementation approaches.
Disabled People Against Cuts (DPAC): Direct action organization
Inclusion London: Umbrella organization in London
Disability Rights UK: Advice and advocacy organization
Deaf organizations: British Deaf Association and others
Mental health organizations: Mind and others, though some are not user-led
EU Charter of Fundamental Rights:
Article 26 recognizes rights of disabled people to integration.
Employment Equality Directive (2000):
Requires member states to prohibit employment discrimination and provide reasonable accommodation.
European Accessibility Act (2019):
Harmonized accessibility requirements for products and services. Implementation deadline June 2025.
Web Accessibility Directive:
Requires public sector websites and apps to be accessible.
Each EU country has its own disability laws. Some examples:
Germany: Social Code IX addresses disability benefits and employment. Strong protection but implementation varies.
France: 2005 law on equal rights and opportunities. Accessibility deadlines repeatedly extended.
Spain: General Law on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (2013). Strong legal framework.
Italy: Comprehensive legal framework with implementation challenges.
Poland and Hungary: CRPD ratified but disabled people's organizations report implementation concerns.
European Disability Forum: EU-level umbrella organization
European Network on Independent Living (ENIL): Promotes community living
National organizations in each country
Disability Discrimination Act 1992:
Federal anti-discrimination law covering employment, education, access to premises, goods and services.
National Disability Insurance Scheme Act 2013:
Established NDIS—individualized funding for disability supports.
State and Territory Laws:
Each state has additional anti-discrimination and disability services legislation.
Australia's major disability policy development. Key features:
Critiques from disabled people:
People with Disability Australia: National cross-disability organization
First Peoples Disability Network: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander disabled people's organization
Women With Disabilities Australia: Disabled women's organization
Deaf Australia: Deaf community organization
Human Rights Act 1993:
Prohibits disability discrimination in employment, housing, and provision of goods and services.
New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990:
Includes non-discrimination provisions.
Disabled Persons Community Welfare Act:
Historical legislation now being reformed.
New Zealand is fundamentally reforming its disability support system through the Enabling Good Lives approach:
Implementation is ongoing with concerns about pace and consistency.
Disabled Persons Assembly NZ: National cross-disability organization led by disabled people
CCS Disability Action: Support and advocacy organization
Deaf Aotearoa: Deaf community organization
Inter-American Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (1999):
First binding regional disability rights treaty.
Brazil:
Mexico:
Argentina:
Chile:
Across the region:
RIADIS: Regional network of disabled people's organizations
National organizations in each country
Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (2018):
Not yet in force (needs 15 ratifications).
South Africa:
Kenya:
Rwanda:
Nigeria:
African Disability Forum: Continental organization
Secretariat of the African Decade of Persons with Disabilities
National disabled people's organizations in each country
Incheon Strategy:
ESCAP framework for Asia-Pacific with specific goals and targets.
ASEAN Enabling Masterplan 2025:
Regional framework for Southeast Asian nations.
Japan:
South Korea:
India:
China:
Philippines:
Disabled People's International Asia-Pacific
Pacific Disability Forum (Pacific Island nations)
National organizations in each country
Arab Decade of Disabled Persons:
Regional initiative with varying implementation.
Israel:
Jordan:
Gulf States:
Conflict-Affected Areas:
Arab Organization of Persons with Disabilities
National organizations where space for organizing exists
Remember that:
This overview cannot capture every country's situation. What's missing about your country or region? What organizations should be listed? What have we gotten wrong?
Share through our [contribution form] or email [email protected].
Last updated: November 2025
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