Introduction

This chapter considers the progress made in advancing disability equality at the regional level through disability-specific initiatives such as disability action plans and decades of disability. This chapter will set the scene for a discussion on how the aims of these international and regional disability action plans can be implemented in domestic law and policy. The primary justification for examining regional disability action plans in this chapter is their particular relevance for specific jurisdictions discussed in the following chapter. Gostin and Lazzarini note that “[t]he regional systems complement the global UN system and possess the potential for specialized human rights action that is swifter and more contextually responsive than that on the international plane.” These systems may also have more influence on domestic governments in seeking reform, as they are more closely connected to member states. In relation to regional disability policy specifically, the UN Secretary General has noted that “[t]he decades can provide useful guidance and expertise in the formulation of national action plans, especially through the sharing of good practices and the promotion of dialogue at the subregional and regional levels.”