A/RES/67/82
Addressing the socioeconomic needs of individuals, families and societies affected
by autism spectrum disorders, developmental disorders and associated disabilities
persons with disabilities, including all individuals with autism spectrum disorders,
developmental disorders and associated disabilities, and their integration in
societies, as well as addressing the socioeconomic needs of their families and
communities,
Reaffirming the universality, indivisibility, interdependence and interrelatedness
of all human rights and fundamental freedoms and the need for persons with
disabilities to be guaranteed their full enjoyment without discrimination,
Affirming that ensuring and promoting the full realization of all human rights
and fundamental freedoms for all persons with disabilities, without distinction, is
critical to achieving internationally agreed development goals,
Recalling its resolution 66/124 of 19 December 2011, by which it decided to
convene a one-day high-level meeting of the General Assembly, on 23 September
2013, with the overarching theme “The way forward: a disability-inclusive
development agenda towards 2015 and beyond”, which shall be funded within
existing resources, in order to strengthen efforts to ensure accessibility for and the
inclusion of persons with disabilities in all aspects of development efforts,
Aware that autism is a lifelong developmental disability that affects the
functioning of the brain, characterized by impairments in social interaction,
problems with verbal and non-verbal communication and restricted, repetitive
behaviour, interests and activities,
Aware also that the vast variety of needs of individuals with autism spectrum
disorders, developmental disorders and associated disabilities poses a substantial
challenge to addressing the disability and providing the appropriate services for
treatment and care by government and non-governmental organizations,
Deeply concerned that children with autism spectrum disorders, developmental
disorders and associated disabilities in all regions of the world experience
challenges in accessing long-term health care, education, training and intervention
programmes undertaken by Governments, non-governmental organizations and the
private sector,
Concerned that persons with autism spectrum disorders, developmental
disorders and associated disabilities continue to face barriers in their participation as
equal members of society, and reaffirming that discrimination against any person on
the basis of disability is a violation of the inherent dignity and worth of the human
person,
Recalling that early diagnosis, appropriate research and effective interventions
are vital to the growth and development of the individual, and emphasizing that
early intervention is crucial for addressing the needs of the individual with autism
spectrum disorders, developmental disorders and associated disabilities, thus
improving the opportunities to live a quality life with the ability to participate in the
greater community and increasing the likelihood that an individual will need lower
levels of support later in life,
Recognizing that the full enjoyment by persons with autism spectrum
disorders, developmental disorders and associated disabilities of their human rights
and their full participation will result in significant advances in the social and
economic development of societies and communities,
Realizing that the challenge of meeting the needs of individuals with autism
spectrum disorders, developmental disorders and associated disabilities is
particularly acute in the developing world, resulting in increased difficulties for
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