Implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Optional Protocol thereto: accessibility A/RES/74/144 other community support services, including personal assistance necessary to support living and inclusion in the community, and to prevent isolation or segregation from the community; 15. Also calls upon States to promote and facilitate access to and sharing of accessible and assistive technologies, especially new and emerging ones, includin g information and communications systems, mobility aids, assistive devices and other assistive technologies, by persons with disabilities, and to promote research and development in this regard, so that these technologies and systems become accessible at minimum cost and at an early stage; 16. Urges States to consider laws, policies and procedures relating to public procurement to ensure that persons with disabilities can access any service or facility open to the public on an equal basis with others; 17. Calls upon States to continue to take appropriate measures to raise awareness and to provide training and other support to public officials, service providers and other relevant stakeholders on accessibility issues facing persons with disabilities, and to address discrimination, stereotypes, prejudices and harmful practices in order to promote the provision of accessible and inclusive public services and facilities that take into account all aspects of accessibility, including the rights of persons with disabilities; 18. Encourages States to disseminate information to and work with the private sector, including employers and other relevant stakeholders, to implement accessibility measures for any facilities or services that are open or provided to the public that take into account all aspects of accessibility for persons with disabilities; 19. Urges States to take all appropriate measures to eliminate discrimination against persons with disabilities, including women and girls, in situations of risk, including situations of armed conflict, humanitarian emergencies and the occurrence of natural disasters, and ensure that their specific needs are addressed, such as access to basic services, including health-care services, rehabilitation assistance, psychosocial support and educational programmes, as well as transportation and information and communications technologies and systems on an equal basis with others; 20. Calls upon States to ensure that persons with disabilities are able to access inclusive, quality primary, secondary and tertiary education, vocational training, adult education and lifelong learning without discrimination and on an equal basis with others and to facilitate the full and equal participation of persons with disabilities in education by taking appropriate steps through the provision of information in accessible and alternative communication formats, reasonable accommodation and other support as required; 21. Also calls upon States to strengthen efforts to empower all persons with disabilities and enhance their participation and promote their leadership in society through taking measures to address and remove all barriers that prevent or restrict their access and full inclusion and participation in the community on an equal basis with others, including in the government and public sector, the private sector, civil society and all branches and bodies of the national monitoring system of the Convention, and to work to ensure that persons with disabilities are closely consulted and actively involved, through their representative organizations, in the design, implementation and monitoring of all legislation, policies and programmes which have an impact on their lives; 22. Encourages States to provide support to existing organizations and promote the creation of organizations, including civil society organizations and networks of persons with disabilities, as appropriate, and to promote and support persons with disabilities in taking leadership roles in public decision-making bodies 19-22245 7/9