According to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), persons with disabilities have the right to work on an equal basis with others. This includes the right to the opportunity to gain a living by work freely chosen or accepted in a labour market and work environment that is open, inclusive and accessible to persons with disabilities. Article 27 of the CRPD requires States parties to take adequate measures to safeguard and promote the realisation of the right to work of persons with disabilities, including

• prohibiting discrimination on the basis of disability with regard to all matters concerning employment, including conditions of recruitment, hiring and employment, continuance of employment, career advancement and safe and healthy working conditions;
• protecting the rights of persons with disabilities, on an equal basis with others, to just and favourable conditions of work, including equal opportunities and equal remuneration for work of equal value, safe and healthy working conditions, including protection from harassment, and the redress of grievances;
• enabling persons with disabilities to have effective access to general technical and vocational guidance programmes, placement services and vocational and continuing training;
• promoting employment opportunities and career advancement for persons with disabilities in the open labour market, both in the public and private sectors; and
• ensuring that reasonable accommodation is provided to persons with disabilities in the workplace.

Meaning of accessibility