A/RES/66/141 36. Recognizes that the majority of children with disabilities live in poverty and that equitable access to economic opportunities and social services, as close as possible to children’s own communities, is an important part of relevant strategies for sustainable development; 37. Also recognizes that children with disabilities are often denied the right to a family environment and to live and be included in their communities, and in this regard reaffirms that they have equal rights with respect to family and community life and should not be separated from their parents against their will, except when competent authorities subject to judicial review determine, in accordance with applicable laws and procedures, that such separation is necessary for the best interests of the child, and that in no case should separation be on the basis of a disability of either the child or one or both of the parents; 38. Further recognizes the importance of preventing the concealment, abandonment, neglect or segregation of children with disabilities, and in this regard encourages States to consider the introduction of a commitment towards replacing institutionalization with appropriate measures to support family and community care, and transferring resources to community-based support services and other forms of alternative care; 39. Expresses concern at the number of children with disabilities who continue to be denied the right to education, and in this regard reaffirms the right of children with disabilities to have effective access to education, on the basis of equal opportunity, in a manner conducive to their fullest possible social inclusion and individual development, including their cultural and spiritual development; 40. Recognizes also that early education is of high importance for children with disabilities, and that the measures taken to implement the right to education for children with disabilities should aim at their maximum inclusion in society, free from discrimination; 41. Reaffirms that States should take effective and appropriate measures to ensure, on an equal basis with others, that children with disabilities retain their fertility, and that adolescent boys and girls with disabilities have access to information and education, including on reproductive and family planning, that is age-appropriate and in an accessible format; 42. Recognizes that children with disabilities are particularly vulnerable in situations of risk, including situations of armed conflict, humanitarian emergencies and the occurrence of natural disasters, and reaffirms the obligations of States under international law, including international humanitarian law and international human rights law, to take all necessary measures to ensure their safety and protection in such situations, including by reviewing their emergency response programmes and support facilities to make them accessible for children with disabilities; 43. Calls upon all States to include, within the overall context of policies and programmes for the realization of the rights of the child, for all children within their jurisdiction, the relevant provisions for the realization of these rights for children with disabilities, in particular: (a) Urges all States that have not yet done so to consider acceding to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Optional Protocol thereto, 33 and to do so as a matter of priority, and invites regional integration _______________ 33 Ibid., vol. 2518, No. 44910. 9

Select target paragraph3