Personal mobility
States Parties shall take effective measures to ensure personal mobility with the greatest possible independence for persons with disabilities, including by:
(a) Facilitating the personal mobility of persons with disabilities in the manner and at the time of their choice, and at an affordable cost;
(b) Facilitating access by persons with disabilities to quality mobility aids, devices, assistive technologies and forms of live assistance and intermediaries, including by making them available at an affordable cost;
(c) Providing training in mobility skills to persons with disabilities and to specialist staff working with persons with disabilities;
(d) Encouraging entities that produce mobility aids, devices and assistive technologies to take into account all aspects of mobility for persons with disabilities. (Article 20)
Obligations
This article is a further important extension of the right to liberty of movement, which is focused on the personal mobility of persons with disability. It requires State Parties to ensure that persons with disability are able to mobilise with the greatest possible independence. Three dimensions of this freedom are particularly highlighted: the right of persons with disability to mobilise in the manner of their choice (that is, to choose the type of mobility aid or conveyance); the right to do so at the time of their choice (that is, to be free from externally imposed schedules that limit independence); and, the right to mobilise at an affordable cost. In order to realise this freedom State Parties are required to facilitate access by persons with disability to quality mobility aids, devices and assistive technologies, as well as to live assistance and intermediaries (for example, sighted guides and sign language interpreters). State Parties must also ensure that training in mobility skills is available to persons with disability and specialist staff who work with persons with disability. The article covers all aspects of mobility, not just physical movement, but also way-finding, and social interactions. In this respect it is notable that the article also requires State Parties to encourage entities that produce mobility aids, devices and assistive technologies to develop products that will assist with all aspects of mobility for persons with disability.
Indicators
• Persons with disability enjoy personal mobility with the greatest possible independence.
• Persons with disability are able to mobilise in the manner and at the time of their choice.
• Persons with disability are able to mobilise at an affordable cost.
• Persons with disability have access to quality mobility aids, devices and assistive technologies.
• Persons with disabilities have access to live assistance and intermediaries.
• Persons with disability are effectively trained in mobility skills.
• Staff who work with persons with disability are effectively trained in mobility skills.
• There are mobility aids, devices and assistive technologies to support all aspects of mobility for persons with disability.
Example
The right to personal mobility will be particularly relevant to people who through their work are involved in:
• Working with client's in the capacity of providing aids, devices or other assistive technologies enabling persons with disabilities have their right to personal mobility fully recognised and protected
• Working with clients in the provision of social interaction encompassing Braille and sign language interpreters