New report on the progress of disability rights in the UK

This is a report on progress on disability rights in the UK, jointly produced with the Scottish Human Rights Commission, the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission and the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland as part of the UK Independent Mechanism (UKIM).


After the damning assessment by UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD Committee) of the failure to protect disabled people’s rights across many areas of life in the UK in August 2017, the UK governments were asked to report back on progress on a number of areas one year on. 


The UKIM report focuses on the following issues raised by the CRPD Committee:

  • living independently and being included in the community
  • adequate standard of living and social protection
  • work and employment
  • prejudice and negative attitudes
  • access to justice
  • involving disabled people and their organisations

The CRPD Committee is currently reviewing the update reports provided by the UK government but also by civil society and UKIM.


UKIM has long urged UK governments to strengthen disability rights, and is disappointed by the overall lack of commitment and action from the UK governments on the UN’s recommendations.


UKIM is particularly concerned about the strong evidence that disabled people continue to face serious regression of their rights to an adequate standard of living and social protection, and to live independently in the community.


The report, including alternative formats, can be accessed here
More information on our work around the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is available ere