Poverty, disability and human rights

  • Beatriz Martínez Ríos Comité Español de Representantes de Personas con Discapacidad y sus Familias (CERMI)
Keywords: disability, extraordinary costs, human rights, poverty, international co-operation

Abstract

It is estimated that persons with disabilities represent 15% of the world population. There is a strong link between poverty and disability. Population with disabilities is among the most disadvantaged and discriminated. However, development economic theories have forgotten essential matters about this population, contributing towards their invisibility and poverty. The Capability Approach from a Human Rights based approach brings us a new dimension. The extraordinary costs that arise from a disability and from the psychological, physical and social barriers that persons with disabilities face, contribute to their poverty, lack of freedom and vulneration of human rights, as put forward by current studies on this subject. International co-operation becomes a very valuable tool to be used for the promotion of the rights of persons with disabilities and overcoming poverty.

Author Biography

Beatriz Martínez Ríos, Comité Español de Representantes de Personas con Discapacidad y sus Familias (CERMI)
Beatriz Martínez Ríos es licenciada y diplomada de estudios avanzados en Ciencias Económicas y Empresariales, y también es experta en cooperación para el desarrollo.
Published
2013-07-04
How to Cite
Martínez Ríos, B. (2013). Poverty, disability and human rights. Spanish Journal of Disability, 1(1), 9-32. https://doi.org/10.5569/33