IACHR calls for political participation of persons with disabilities

December 3, 2025

Washington, DC—In commemoration of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) emphasizes that democracy cannot be complete unless persons with disabilities are able to participate fully and equally in public life. The right to participate in public decision-making processes, alongside the rights to vote, to be elected, and to access public functions on equal terms are fundamental pillars of democratic societies.

Over the past years, important progress has been observed across the region that have strengthened the right to participate in public decision-making processes of persons with disabilities. Electoral authorities and political parties have adopted measures to ensure accessibility for persons with disabilities, both as voters and candidates. Constitutional and legal frameworks now mandate accessibility in electoral processes, prohibit exclusionary polling stations, and require inclusive communication tools such as sign language interpretation, closed captioning, audio description, and Braille ballots. Accessibility has also been expanded in political communication, including sign language in news broadcasts.

Despite these advances, serious challenges remain. Implementation continues to be uneven, with reforms often concentrated in urban areas and focused primarily on physical accessibility such as ramps or signage, while hospitals, schools, rural services, and public institutions remain behind. Persons with sensory, intellectual, and psychosocial disabilities face persistent barriers in accessing information, including during political processes.

Civil society has denounced the persistence of practices carried out without free and informed consent of persons with disabilities, such as deprivation of liberty, which essentially eliminates any ability to participate in public and political life. Further, concerns have also been raised about obstacles in accessing public transport systems, such as not accessible payment mechanisms and limits to independent mobility, essential for participating in public and political life.

The Inter-American Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities requires States to adopt the legislative, social, educational, labour, or any other measures needed to eliminate discrimination against persons with disabilities and to promote their full integration into society, including political and administrative activities.

In this regard, the IACHR’s 2025 Report on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities calls for a paradigm shift. States must facilitate and guarantee the rights of persons with disabilities to participate in public decision-making processes, recognize the right to vote and to stand for election with necessary supports, ensure equal conditions in electoral processes, provide accessible electoral materials in diverse formats including Braille, easy-to-read documents, subtitled videos, and sign language interpretation, and establish measurable indicators and monitoring mechanisms with active participation of persons with disabilities. Binding consultation procedures must be guaranteed so that persons with disabilities can influence public decision-making in a meaningful way.

Public and political participation of persons with disabilities is not only a human right but a democratic necessity. Inclusive political rights strengthen institutions, enrich debate, and ensure that policies reflect the diversity of society. Ending discrimination and stigmatization is essential to guarantee that all voices are heard, respected, and reflected in public policies and institutions. IACHR calls on States to honour their international and regional commitments, respecting the Inter-American Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities, move beyond symbolic measures, and ensure that persons with disabilities are fully empowered to shape democracy.

The IACHR is an autonomous body of the Organization of American States (OAS) whose mandate is based on the OAS Charter and the American Convention on Human Rights. Its mission is to promote and defend human rights throughout the Americas and to serve as an advisory body to the OAS in this area. The IACHR consists of seven independent members elected by the OAS General Assembly who serve in a personal capacity and do not represent their countries of origin or residence.

No. 252/25

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