Student Union welcomes UN disability rights

The Union of Students in Ireland has welcomed the finalisation of a draft UN convention on the rights of disabled people.

The document was finalised at the weekend by delegates from all 192 member countries after five years of negotiations.

The USI says it is an important step and, once ratified in Ireland, could compel colleges and universities to address the under-representation of students with disabilities.

It says people with disabilities currently make up just 2% of third-level students, compared to 10% of the general population.