Human rights of children with disability

This chapter describes a large study that investigated the human rights of children with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities in South Africa, using the CRC and the international classification of functioning, disability and health for children and youth (ICF-CY) as the guiding frameworks. It investigates the human rights of South African children with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities between 8 and 14 years old from both a parental and child perspective. Due to progressive realisation and economic constraints in a low- and middle-income country such as South Africa, human rights may be unmet for some children, particularly those in high-risk environments and those with disability. The chapter demonstrates the effect of environmental factors, as captured by the ICF-CY, on the human rights of children with disability through six related studies. Space was included by providing children the opportunity to express their opinion, audience and influence.