People with disabilities call for “effective equality”

The 1.7 million disabled people in Switzerland encounter numerous barriers. Although their rights are human rights, society often excludes them. To counter this, a broad network has launched the inclusion initiative.

The network of people with disabilities, civil society, specialized organizations and associations made it clear to the media on Thursday in Bern what barriers there are: There is hardly an area without deprivation, although since 2000 the federal constitution expressly prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability, so the tenor.

People with disabilities often have to live in houses. They were refused a job even though they wanted to work. Access to many fails due to lack of adaptations. “Effective equality is needed now,” said Daniela Enzler of Amnesty International Switzerland.

The federal citizens’ initiative «For the equality of people with disabilities (Inclusion Initiative)» according to the authors, what is self-evident for people without disabilities: to decide for themselves about their way of life. Equality, self-determination and participation of people with disabilities must be guaranteed.

Today the federal constitution states: “The law provides for measures to eliminate disadvantages for disabled people.” The initiators want to delete this paragraph under Article 8 on equality before the law. Instead, a separate article 8a will be included in the constitution.

According to this law, the law must guarantee the legal and de facto equality of people with disabilities and people without disabilities in all areas of life: “People with disabilities are entitled to necessary support and adaptation measures, in particular personal and technical assistance, within the framework of proportionality.”

In addition, according to the constitution, people with disabilities should have the right to freely choose their form of residence and the place where they live; they should be entitled to the necessary support and adjustment measures in the context of proportionality.

Several people with disabilities participated in the media conference and drew attention to various everyday obstacles. Because the necessary structural or technical adjustments were not forthcoming Access to public transport, education, doctor’s practice or restaurant is made difficult or even impossible. People with disabilities are also limited in the exercise of political rights.

According to the initiative committee, the areas of life that fall under the social assistance contribution are too narrow. For example, the current system does not allow a person with a speech impediment to pay for the verbal help they need to do their job. A deaf person who wants to get involved in politics needs a sign language interpreter. The current system does not provide for this.

“Let’s not let ourselves get in the way, let’s get it done,” said Islam Alijaj, president of the Active Energy Association. The inclusion initiative is supported by a non-partisan committee, a citizens’ committee with over a thousand supporters, and sponsorship from Agile.ch, Amnesty International Switzerland, Inclusion Handicap, and the Foundation for Direct Democracy and Action.

Prior to the media conference, the first fundraising campaign for the referendum started in Bern. The committee has until October 25, 2024 to collect 100,000 signatures. (oo/sda)