Local Government and Human Rights Submission for the Human Rights Council resolution 57/12
Issued on July 15 2025
Local authorities have a powerful role to play in making human rights real—especially for people with disabilities. Yet in Ireland, the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD) at local level remains uneven and under-resourced.
In this submission to the UN Human Rights Council, the Disability Federation of Ireland (DFI) shares insights from two key areas of work:
Bridging the Gap: our research into the barriers and opportunities for local CRPD implementation
Wicklow’s Disability and Inclusion Steering Committee: a practical model of how partnership, leadership, and community involvement can drive change
This work highlights where progress is happening, what’s holding it back, and how local action can unlock national commitments on disability rights.