Lewisham Declaration
In December 2005 CILL celebrated International Day of Disabled People by launching The Lewisham Declaration. At a ‘Let’s Talk’ meeting, specifically for disabled people held at Lewisham College, Lewisham’s Mayor, Sir Steve Bullock, signed the Declaration on behalf of Lewisham Council. This is the Declaration:
Whereas the UN's stated aim is "the achievement of the full and equal enjoyment of human rights and participation in society by persons with disabilities".
Whereas disabled people are entitled to equal opportunities, not charity.
Whereas disabled people are independent citizens and consumers, not patients
Whereas disabled people have their own voice and their own representative organisations, they do not need professionals taking decisions on their behalf.
Whereas outdated and paternalistic approaches mainly based on pity and helplessness are deemed unacceptable.
Whereas a truly inclusive society, will not only benefit disabled people but also society at large.
First and foremost we demand:
Nothing about us without us - up until now most of us have been excluded from debates on disability issues. We have been denied our right to equality and have therefore been denied our human rights.
We demand that we are included in all debates and policy-making regarding disability and other issues that affect our lives.
We must be the people who decide on our quality of life, based on our experiences.
We also call on our organisations to give support, encouragement and reassurance to those of us who are representing our views on disability issues.
Particular support must be given to empower the voice of mental health survivors, people with learning difficulties, people who cannot advocate for themselves and disabled children, in any debate that affects their lives.
Richness in Diversity - we are full human beings. We believe that a society without disabled people would be a lesser society. Our unique individual and collective experiences are an important contribution to a rich, human society.
We demand an end to the setting of norms and standards by non-disabled people. We believe that discrimination against disabled people is so pervasive in society that it has become 'normalised'. We call for an end to institutional disabilism.
We recognise that the only way to ensure universal support for and positive recognition of our particular qualities is through stating our right to diversity clearly, with good arguments, in open and democratic discussion. We must form aplliances with policy-makers, human rights advocates, the media and the general public.
As disabled people we must join together in solidarity to ensure our voices are heard in all matters that impact on us as individuals and collectively.