E. Article 11: The right to an adequate standard of living
33.
In addition to the need to ensure that persons with disabilities have access to
adequate food, accessible housing and other basic material needs, it is also necessary
to ensure that “support services, including assistive devices” are available “for
persons with disabilities, to assist them to increase their level of independence in their
daily living and to exercise their rights”. 30 The right to adequate clothing also assumes
a special significance in the context of persons with disabilities who have particular
clothing needs, so as to enable them to function fully and effectively in society.
Wherever possible, appropriate personal assistance should also be provided in this
connection. Such assistance should be undertaken in a manner and spirit which fully
respect the human rights of the person(s) concerned. Similarly, as already noted by
the Committee in paragraph 8 of general comment No. 4 (Sixth session, 1991), the
right to adequate housing includes the right to accessible housing for persons with
disabilities.
F. Article 12: The right to physical and mental health
34.
According to the Standard Rules, “States should ensure that persons
with disabilities, particularly infants and children, are provided with the same level of
medical care within the same system as other members of society”. 31 The right to
physical and mental health also implies the right to have access to, and to benefit
from, those medical and social services - including orthopaedic devices - which
enable persons with disabilities to become independent, prevent further disabilities
and support their social integration. 32 Similarly, such persons should be provided with
rehabilitation services which would enable them “to reach and sustain their optimum
level of independence and functioning”. 33 All such services should be provided in
such a way that the persons concerned are able to maintain full respect for their rights
and dignity.
G. Articles 13 and 14: The right to education
35.
School programmes in many countries today recognize that persons with
disabilities can best be educated within the general education system. 34 Thus the
Standard Rules provide that “States should recognize the principle of equal primary,
secondary and tertiary educational opportunities for children, youth and adults with
30
Standard Rules (see note 6 above), Rule 4.
31
Ibid., Rule 2, paragraph 3.
32
See the Declaration on the Rights of Disabled Persons (General Assembly resolution 3447 (XXX) of
9 December 1975), paragraph 6; and the World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons
(see note 3 above), paragraphs 95-107.
33
Standard Rules (see note 6 above), Rule 3.
34
See A/47/415, paragraph 73.