The solution

Human rights and psychosocial approaches to mental health share a common commitment to promoting the dignity, autonomy, non-discrimination, empowerment, and participation of individuals experiencing mental health challenges. By integrating human rights principles into psychosocial interventions and policies, mental health systems can better uphold the rights and well-being of all individuals.
Framework for Cultural Change: Legal frameworks are often the first step towards broader cultural change. By establishing legal standards and rights for persons with disabilities, the UNCRPD sets a baseline for societal expectations and norms. This legal recognition is crucial for challenging and changing deep-seated prejudices and stereotypes against disabled persons.
Awareness and Education: The UNCRPD promotes awareness-raising (Article 8) and stresses the importance of education (Article 24) not only in a legal sense but also in fostering an inclusive society. By mandating states to combat stereotypes, prejudices, and harmful practices, it directly addresses the cultural dimensions of discrimination against persons with disabilities.
Participation and Inclusion: The convention emphasizes the importance of the participation of persons with disabilities in all aspects of life (Article 29), including political, public, economic, social, and cultural spheres. Encouraging the involvement of disabled persons in these areas promotes a more inclusive culture and helps to shift public perceptions and attitudes.
Implementation and Monitoring: The UNCRPD establishes a Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (Article 34), which monitors the implementation of the convention in state parties. This oversight goes beyond legal compliance, encouraging states to adopt comprehensive approaches, including cultural shifts towards inclusion and equality.
International Cooperation: By promoting international cooperation (Article 32), the UNCRPD facilitates the exchange of information, experiences, and strategies for implementing the rights of persons with disabilities, including cultural change. This global collaboration fosters a shared understanding and commitment to the cultural as well as legal aspects of disability rights.
Empowerment through Rights: The empowerment of persons with disabilities is a central theme of the UNCRPD. Empowering individuals legally often leads to broader societal change, as empowered individuals can advocate for their rights, participate more fully in society, and challenge cultural norms that marginalize them.
While the UNCRPD is indeed a legal instrument, its objectives and mechanisms are designed not only to effect legal compliance but also to foster societal and cultural change. The convention recognizes that true equality and inclusion for persons with disabilities require shifts in social attitudes and cultural practices, not just legal reforms.