On September 5th over 1,300 people gathered on the federal square in the Swiss capital Bern to celebrate the successful collection of signatures for the Inclusion Initiative. Together, they submitted over 108,000 valid signatures to the Federal Chancellery. The Swiss federation of the blind and visually impaired was also represented by members from various parts of the country at the atmospheric rally.
The Inclusion Initiative calls on the Confederation and cantons to take binding measures for the legal and active equality of people with disabilities This is because people with disabilities want to decide for themselves how and with whom they live, use public transport without barriers, work, and exercise their political rights. But in Switzerland, equality for people with disabilities is not progressing.
Our constitution has prohibited discrimination on the basis of disability for 23 years. Switzerland has also ratified a Disability Equality Act and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Nevertheless, people with disabilities do not have the same access to human rights as non-disabled people.
Living inclusion is the aim of the initiative. The initiative was launched by those affected and supported by a broad, non-partisan network of citizens' committees, disability associations and organisations.