Respect for human dignity as the idea of justice for persons with disabilities and their families: the missing gaze

Abstract

This paper intends to analyze critical issues and prospects after adoption of United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). The actual picture that emerges is certainly not reassuring. The medical model of disability is still prevalent. In most cases, path aimed at an independent living isn’t considered. People with disabilities and their family members, family caregiver, siblings aren’t adequately involved in decisions that affect them and they often are isolated. Adults with intellectual disabilities are considered as a separate topic. There are many abuses in support administrations that become cobwebs for beneficiaries themselves and their families. The paper purpose is highlighting the importance of human dignity. It is important to implement a cultural resolution to say enough to structures where people with disabilities are relegated. It is fundamental to break down barriers of all kinds: sensorial, architectural and, in particular, all mental barriers! The used research methods concern an analysis of reality, giving voice to experiences of people with disabilities and their family members, siblings, family caregivers and a comparative analysis with connection to disability studies. The results will highlight how important it is, and at the basis of every authentic cultural revolution to give voices to stories, to the person in all his dignity and how it is necessary to overcome fragmentation to authentically reconfigure social policies. The approach to disability must be based on human rights. The challenge of inclusion concerns entire human race and not a small minority. “Nothing about us without us!”.