People with disabilities must ensure their voices are heard by every candidate canvassing in the next general election, Human Rights Commission president Maurice Manning has said.
Candidates should also be made aware of a new charter of rights, drawn up by and for people with disabilities, which deserves to be distributed to every school and home, he said.
Written by service users with the Brothers of Charity, the charter is a "masterpiece" which would "stand the test in every court in this land", Dr Manning told the charity's national advocacy council annual conference in Salthill, Galway, yesterday.
The Charter of Human Rights Declaration comprises 36 statements on rights and responsibilities, all of which refer to the European Convention on Human Rights Act, 2003. Issues addressed range from the right to be treated with respect and dignity as responsible adults, to the right of access to the courts and to legal advice and representation.
Introducing the text, Maria Wolf of Galway called on the Brothers to establish an independent complaints procedure and a human rights commission, which would ensure confidentiality for the complainant.
Dr Manning said the main challenge of this century was to ensure that governments and judiciaries recognised the reality of economic and social rights. Governments "had not listened to date", as reflected in the recent controversy over the Disability Bill, he said.