I’m thrilled to see that the “Nothing Without Us” principle is becoming a global standard, accepted by major organizations around the world.
The European Union has clearly declared “Nothing without persons with disabilities” as its guiding principle for working with the approximately 90 million people with disabilities in Europe. The European Parliament held its 3rd Disability Rights Week, where people with disabilities were actively involved in every activity — not just talked about.
The United Nations in South Africa has also called for making the inclusion of people with disabilities non-negotiable. Canada and the Commonwealth are building systems based on the “Nothing Without Us” principle too.
This principle was born from the disability rights movement in the 1990s, and it’s the heart of what Accessibility Is Freedom stands for every day.
Accessibility isn’t charity — it’s designing together with users from the very beginning. When the world accepts this, it means we’re on the right path.
Sources: EU Justice, UN South Africa, European Disability Forum