A/HRC/57/47 geographical distances to urban centres are a major barrier to Indigenous persons with disabilities accessing health care.42 44. In addition, Indigenous persons with disabilities often face barriers to accessing their right to Indigenous medicine and maintaining their health practices, including the conservation of vital medicinal plants, animals and minerals. 43 These Indigenous healing modalities are deeply connected to the health practices and overall wellness of individuals within communities of Indigenous Peoples. However, despite the evident need, current health-care systems inadequately accommodate Indigenous Peoples’ right to culture, thereby perpetuating barriers to accessing culturally relevant support for healing and wellness, in particular for Indigenous persons with disabilities. 44 F. Support and care systems 45. It is crucial to note that, in low and middle-income countries, the majority of Indigenous persons with disabilities rely on family support. Community-based support networks are crucial for fostering inclusion for Indigenous persons with disabilities. Loss of social relations and connections results in the exclusion of Indigenous persons with disabilities in the community. 46. In different contexts, Indigenous persons with disabilities have been affected by forced displacement and land destruction. Displacement results in the loss of social relations and connections with families, which are a key source of care and support. 45 As noted by OHCHR, support and care systems are critical to strengthening resilience, including in the context of climate change.46 47. Conventional care systems have also historically been used, and continue to be used, to separate Indigenous children with disabilities from their families, placing them in out-ofhome care away from their parents and communities. Indigenous Peoples must be able to decide for themselves the best support and care systems for their children in accordance with their culture and their inherent right to self-determination over their internal affairs, in line with human rights standards, at all times keeping in mind the best interests of the child.47 It is paramount to adopt a human rights-based approach to support and care systems and to adapt them to Indigenous culture. G. Access to education and employment 48. Indigenous persons with disabilities must have appropriate and relevant education in order to have awareness of the resources available to them. Inaccessibility and unavailability of important information can cause Indigenous persons with disabilities to miss out on social programmes or important public health messages. In Nepal, for example, a lack of timely coronavirus disease (COVID-19) information in accessible formats and in local Indigenous languages was reported, which caused additional barriers for Indigenous persons with disabilities. In addition, only 64 per cent of Indigenous persons with disabilities in Nepal have received disability cards,48 which may entitle a person to a monthly allowance, discounts on certain goods and educational opportunities. 49 Many Indigenous persons are simply not aware that the system even exists.50 Similarly, in Guatemala, educational barriers, including limited access to schools and resources, especially among Indigenous persons with 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 10 Submission from the Directorate of Indigenous Community Development of the National Institute of Indigenous Affairs of Argentina. United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, art. 24. Submission from the Assembly of First Nations. Submission from the International Disability Alliance, the Indigenous Peoples with Disabilities Global Network and the Endorois Indigenous Women Empowerment Network. A/HRC/55/34, para. 9. A/HRC/54/31/Add.2, para. 35. Submission from Minority Rights Group International. International Nepal Fellowship, “Playing the right card”, 5 June 2016. Submission from Minority Rights Group International. GE.24-12379