Table of Contents

CONTENTS

Dedication I

Preface iii

Acknowledgements v

List of Legal Instruments xi

List of Cases xvii

Abbreviations/Acronyms xix

GENERAL INTRODUCTION 1

1.0 Background of the Study 1

THE CONCEPT AND TYPES OF PERSONS WITH IMPAIRMENTS 7

2.0 Introduction 7

2.1 Concept of Persons with Impairments 8

  2.1.1 Chronological Concept of Persons with Impairments 9

  2.1.2 Social Concept of Persons with Impairments 11

  2.1.3 Biological Concept of Persons with Impairments 16

  2.1.4 Psychological Concept of Persons with Impairments 17

2.2 Types of Impairments 19

  2.2.1 Vision impairment 19

  2.2.2 People who are deaf or hard of hearing 19

  2.2.3 People with mental health conditions 20

  2.2.4 People with Intellectual Impairments 20

  2.2.5 People with acquired brain injury (ABI) 20

  2.2.6 People with Autism Spectrum Disorder 21

  2.2.7 People with Physical Impairment 22

2.3 The Perception of Persons with Impairments from a Human Rights-Based Approach 22

2.4 Conclusion 23

CHALLENGES FACED BY PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES THAT HINDER THE EFFECTIVE ENFORCEMENT OF THEIR RIGHTS IN CAMEROON 25

3.0 Introduction 25

3.1 Abuse within Institutional Settings 28

  3.1.1 Employment and Career Challenges encountered by Persons with Impairments 29

  3.1.2 Limitations to Vocational Training 31

  3.1.3 Segregation to Education 32

  3.1.4 Personal Assistance and Care Givers Challenges 33

  3.1.5 Challenges faced in Acquiring Adequate Housing 34

  3.1.6 Barriers to the Provision to Health Care 35

  3.1.7 Lack of Adequate Means of Transport and Poor Drainage 36

3.2 Persistent Predominance of a Discriminative Social Construct against Persons with Impairments 37

  3.2.1 Violation of Rights during Armed Conflicts 38

  3.2.2 Communication Challenges 39

  3.2.3 Perception of Persons with Psychosocial Impairment 40

  3.2.4 Sexual and Reproductive Health of Persons with Impairments 41

  3.2.5 Disability Inclusion in HIV and AIDS Response 42

  3.2.6 Lack of Information 42

  3.2.7 Parental Challenges and Stigmatization 43

  3.2.8 Gender-Bias (Women with Disabilities) 44

  3.2.9 Decision-Making Ability 47

  3.2.10 Negative Worker Self-Concept 47

3.3 Lack of Implementation Mechanisms 47

3.4 Conclusion 49

A TYPOLOGY OF THE RIGHTS OF PERSONS WITH

IMPAIRMENTS AS VULNERABLE GROUPS IN CAMEROON 51

4.0 Introduction 51

4.1 Rights of Persons with Impairments under International Law 52

  4.1.1 Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) of Persons with Impairments 53

  4.1.2 Economic Social and Cultural Rights of Persons with Impairments 68

4.2 Right of Elderly Persons as Members of other Vulnerable Groups 81

  4.2.1 The Rights of Elderly Refugees and other Persons in Emergencies 85

  4.2.2 The Rights of Older Women 91

4.3 Conclusion 96

THE PROTECTIVE MECHANISMS FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE RIGHTS OF PERSONS WITH IMPAIRMENTS IN CAMEROON 97

5.0 Introduction 97

5.2 Legislative Protective Mechanisms 98

  5.2.1 The National Measures 98

  5.2.2 International Legislative Instruments on Persons with Impairments 108

5.3 Institutional Protective Measures for the Protection of the Rights of Persons with Impairments in Cameroon 109

  5.3.1 The Ministry of Social Affairs 110

  5.3.2 The National Rehabilitation Centre for People with Disabilities (NRCPD) 111

  5.3.3 The National Commission on Human Rights and Freedoms (NCHRF) 111

5.4 Conclusion 112

GENERAL CONCLUSION 113

6.1 Summary 113

6.2 Findings 116

6.3 Recommendations 125

  6.3.1 Improve on Infrastructures to suit PWDs 125

  6.3.2 Improve on Education for PWDs 125

  6.3.3 Recommendations to Improve Healthcare 126

  6.3.4 Improve on Working Conditions of PWDs through Trade unions 128

  6.3.5 According Attention to PWDs during and after Crisis and Emergencies 129

  6.3.6 Ensure Equal Access to Information and Communication Platforms 129

  6.3.7 Develop and Regulate Braille Standards 130

  6.3.8 People with print difficulties should have access to print media 130

  6.3.9 Promote access for Persons with Disabilities to New Information and Communications Technologies and Systems 130

  6.3.10 Develop and Implement Universal Design Minimum Standards and Guidelines 130

SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY 131