Swiss Parliament Hosts First Session For Disabled People

3/24/2023 11:08:25 PM

(MENAFN- Swissinfo) Switzerland's parliament is hosting the first session of people with disabilities today. At the end of the debate, a resolution was adopted to strengthen political representation and inclusion of disabled people in the country.

This content was published on March 24, 2023 March 24, 2023 minutes swissinfo.ch/sp

The session got underway with only 44 out of 200 parliamentary seats occupied, to symbolise the 22% of the Swiss population with disabilities - a total of 1,8 million people. The session was called by Martin Candinas, President of the House of Representatives.

“We expect to be taken seriously, which I have the impression is not the case today,” Verena Kuonen, Co-President of Inclusion Handicap organisation for people with disabilities, told Swiss public broadcaster RTS.

“We should do away with obstacles to wheelchair access, documentation for the blind and sign language interpretation for deaf people.”

Pro Infirmis, a Swiss association that campaigns for disabled people's rights, organised the event after an online vote that attracted 20,000 votes. The group aims to promote the integration of people with disabilities into politics, raise awareness on all types of disabilities and make buildings more accessible.

Courses should be 'more accessible' for visually impaired people

This content was published on Jun 25, 2021 Jun 25, 2021 The blind and visually impaired should have better access to regular education and training courses, campaigners have argued.

The special session comes after years of campaigning for a greater inclusion of people with disabilities. Some organisations claim that Switzerland has not done enough to meet the 2006 United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

The Swiss government had previously admitted that disabled people still face discrimination in everyday life, the workplace, public services and politics and called for a review of the disability equality act to eliminate obstacles to disabled people participating in society.

'I want more people with disabilities represented in politics'

This content was published on Mar 24, 2023 Mar 24, 2023 Swiss student Irene Stüssi is one of the 44 people taking part in the first special parliamentary session for people with disabilities in Switzerland.

debunked: what we thought was true about switzerland

tell friends you're visiting switzerland and inevitably, some reactions will be full of clichés.

Articles in this story

courses should be 'more accessible' for visually impaired people
'i want more people with disabilities represented in politics'
debunked: what we thought was true about switzerland

MENAFN24032023000210011054ID1105859705

Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.