EFHOH has submitted written contributions to three consultations of the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The consultations concern new guidance for States on participation in political and public life, intersectional discrimination against women and girls with disabilities, and disability-based violence. Across the three submissions, EFHOH worked to ensure that the diversity of hearing loss, invisible hearing disabilities and the importance of hearing access are properly recognised.
Draft General Comment on Article 29: Participation in political and public life
EFHOH commented on the right to vote, stand for election, hold public office and participate in public debate, consultations and decision-making. The submission highlights the importance of real-time captioning, hearing loops and other assistive listening systems, written information, accessible digital communication and alternatives to audio-only political and electoral information.
Read EFHOH’s contribution to the Draft General Comment on Art. 29 here.
Draft Guidelines on Intersectionality
EFHOH contributed to guidance on the multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination experienced by women and girls with disabilities. The submission draws attention to invisible hearing loss, pressure to conceal disability, denial of reasonable accommodation, delayed recognition of support requirements and persistent communication fatigue. It also highlights barriers affecting healthcare, education, employment, justice, political participation, artificial intelligence and emergency communication.
Read EFHOH’s contribution to the Draft Guidelines on Intersectionality here.
Draft Guidelines on Disability-Based Violence
EFHOH submitted comments on how disability-based violence should be identified, prevented and addressed. The contribution highlights forms of communication-based coercive control, including hiding or damaging hearing aids or cochlear implant processors, withholding information, inaccessible emergency and survivor support, justice procedures, informed consent in healthcare and refusal of reasonable accommodations.
Read EFHOH’s contribution to the Draft Guidelines on Disability-Based Violence here.
