The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) is an international human-rights treaty. It states that people with disabilities must have the same rights, choices, independence, and opportunities as everyone else. It focuses on removing barriers in society, not “fixing” the person. Ireland ratified the UNCRPD in 2018, meaning that our Government is legally committed to equality, autonomy, accessibility, and inclusion for disabled people. ⭐ Is Ireland actually applying the UNCRPD in practice? Short answer: Partly — but not fully. ✔ Areas where Ireland is making progress: - Rights-based language and policy are increasing - The Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 supports autonomy and choice - Public bodies must make services accessible - Awareness in education, health and social care is growing ❌ Areas where Ireland is not fully applying the UNCRPD: - Ireland still has not signed the Optional Protocol, so people cannot complain to the UN - Long waiting lists for disability services and assessments - Lack of accessible housing and transport - Inconsistent implementation across schools, workplaces and organisations - Disability rights often depend on location, resources and staff attitudes ⭐ Why this matters for equine-assisted practitioners Even if full implementation is slow, we can uphold UNCRPD principles in every session by: - Supporting autonomy and decision-making - Providing equitable access and reasonable adaptations - Respecting communication differences - Avoiding restrictive or paternalistic practices - Creating an inclusive, empowering environment - Treating each participant as a person first, not a diagnosis This aligns with both Irish law and Horses Connect values. 💬 Reflection Prompt In your own words, how does the UNCRPD influence how you work with participants in equine-assisted sessions?

Make sure you let them know to keep scratching 🤣

Quick question - how’s your turnout?

I’ve been thinking lately about how much horses teach us without ever saying a word. Every session feels like a mirror showing us patience, presence, timing, and the energy we bring into the space. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that progress with a horse often comes from slowing down, not speeding up. When I focus less on “getting it right” and more on building trust, everything just flows better. I’d love to hear from the community: What’s one thing a horse has taught you that surprised you? Grateful to be part of a group where everyone is growing, learning, and connecting both with each other and with these incredible animals. 🐎✨