More than one in five people in the Commonwealth is disabled. National human rights institutions (NHRIs) have unique powers to ensure disabled people’s rights are upheld. Based on the work of NHRIs, this animation highlights three actions that all organisations and institutions can take to support the human rights of disabled people.

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This animation is based on the findings of our 2021 report, ‘Protecting disabled people’s rights during COVID-19: good practice from across the Commonwealth’.

Compiled from submissions from nine Commonwealth NHRIs, the report called attention to the importance of:

• dedicated processes to consult with and involve disabled people in decision-making
• disaggregated data, particularly in areas of life where people may face multiple disadvantages because of their intersecting characteristics, and
• ensuring that policies and services are accessible by design, and that information is available in accessible formats.

Following on from this report, NHRIs have submitted case studies of their work towards these goals. Read the case studies to see how CFNHRI members are using their powers to uphold disabled people’s rights.