Speaking at the United Nations in New York, Łukasz Krasoń said that "support systems are an investment, not a cost."
Krasoń, who serves as deputy minister for family, labour and social policy, was addressing the annual Conference of States Parties to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, a global meeting focused on evaluating progress and exchanging good practices.
Representing the Polish government in his role as commissioner for people with disabilities, he drew on his personal experience to make the case for inclusive policy.
Krasoń suffers from muscular dystrophy and has used a wheelchair since childhood.
He recalled his early fears as a teenager attending high school far from home: "I didn’t know how I’d manage on my own. But I made it, because my Polish teacher said she believed in me and would help me. That changed everything."
'Security does not exclude humanity'
Krasoń argued that inclusive policy-making should be seen as a universal human evolution.
"We all face limited resources, but implementing this Convention is a step forward for humanity," he said
He noted that the war across Poland’s eastern border might be used as an excuse to delay work on inclusion, but stressed that "security does not exclude humanity."
He pointed to ongoing Polish efforts, including the national Accessibility Act, expanded digital services, and a new law on personal assistance that is nearing completion.
'Never one against the other'
Krasoń also voiced concern about countries where progress toward inclusion has stalled.
"That goes against the principle of solidarity," he said, referencing Poland’s unique attachment to the word through both its historic anti-communist movement and the teachings of Pope John Paul II, who described solidarity as "never one against the other."
Krasoń announced that under Poland’s current presidency of the EU Council, Warsaw has proposed an intergovernmental Declaration on Raising Awareness of Persons with Disabilities.
The initiative encourages all EU member states to run regular awareness campaigns highlighting both the social and economic potential of people with disabilities.
'Investment, not a cost'
Addressing signatories of the UN Convention, Krasoń concluded: "Think of efficient support systems as investments. Like my high school teacher who believed in me, let’s believe in others and do what we can to bring out their potential."
The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities was adopted by the General Assembly on December 13, 2006. It seeks to ensure full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by persons with disabilities.
Poland signed the Convention in March 2007 and ratified it in September 2012.
(rt/gs)
Source: PAP