Promoting the participation of people with disabilities: Launch of ODIHR’s interactive tool for parliaments and political parties and presentation of ongoing disability inclusion efforts in Ireland

This event, co-hosted by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and the parliament of Ireland (Oireachtas) is dedicated to promoting the inclusion of people with disabilities in Ireland and the OSCE region as a whole. It will feature a presentation of a new ODIHR e-learning course for parliamentary staff and members of parliament and political parties across the region, alongside presentations from the Irish parliament and the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs on its ongoing efforts to promote the inclusion of people with disabilities.

Approximately 1.3 billion people, or 16 per cent of the global population are people with disabilities. It is important to recognize the need for a more inclusive and representative political landscape that respects and incorporates the needs and perspectives of individuals with disabilities. ODIHR’s online course introduces learners to the common challenges facing people with disabilities in participating in political and public life and provides them with tips, tools and good practices to mitigate these barriers and mainstream disability issues throughout parliaments and political parties.

Participation in the event is by invitation only.

For further information, please contact Amila de Saram-Larssen, ODIHR Associate Democratic Governance Officer, at amilade.saram-larssen@odihr.pl and Roisin Deery, Houses of the Oireachtas Service Assistant Principal - Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, at Roisin.Deery@oireachtas.ie.