Human rights Inclusion initiative gathers 105,000 signatures

The sponsors of the inclusion initiative have collected 105,000 valid signatures. It intends to submit the petition for a referendum for social participation, equal rights, self-determination and accessibility for people with disabilities on September 5.

The umbrella organization Agile.ch announced on Thursday that it is now important that all remaining signatures reach the office by July 25. The committee is planning a rally with over 1,000 participants on the Bundesplatz to submit the signatures to the Federal Chancellery.

The initiative calls for the 1.7 million people with disabilities in Switzerland to be able to participate in economic, social and political life in a self-determined and equal manner. This includes including their perspectives and removing barriers.

According to the first Inclusion Index conducted by the Pro Infirmis organization in autumn 2023, four out of five people with disabilities feel severely excluded from society. The UN also confirmed that Switzerland has a lot of catching up to do in terms of inclusion in 2022.

The inclusion initiative was launched by the associations Inclusion Handicap and Agile.ch, together with other partners. The collection period for the initiative runs until October 25. The Federal Chancellery will check the signatures to determine whether the initiative is successful.