Human Rights & Employment

4. Employment for PWID

4.1. Employment as a fundamental right for people with intellectual disabilities

The right to work is a fundamental human right. As mentioned in the previous chapter, the Universal Declaration on Human Rights recognizes that everyone has the right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and favourable conditions of work and to protection against unemployment (Article 23, Paragraph 1). The UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities (CRPD) also recognizes  in its Article 27 “the right of persons with disabilities to work, on an equal basis with others; this includes the right to the opportunity to gain a living by work freely chosen or accepted in a labour market and work environment that is open, inclusive and accessible to persons with disabilities”. This includes prohibition of discrimination, protection of rights, access to education, employment in the public and private sector, possibilities for self-employment and support in order to maintain employment on equal terms with others.