A/HRC/31/62 others requires the breaking down of multiple cross-cutting attitudinal, structural and physical barriers. The inclusion of persons with disabilities in all matters, including but not limited to disability-specific processes, directly tackles these barriers and avoids the creation of new ones. Their active inclusion sends a clear message to decision makers and the society at large that persons with disabilities are rights holders capable of participating and engaging meaningfully at all levels of society. 3. Participation as a component of good governance 32. There is increasing recognition that participation is a critical component of good governance and democracy. Civil society is an important vehicle for channelling the interests and expectations of its members and groups who may be experiencing barriers in participation. CSOs are strategic actors that can encourage States’ transparency and accountability and can encourage States to fight inequality and exclusion.25 Organizations of persons with disabilities can play an important role in promoting effective governance, holding authorities accountable and making them responsive to their needs, and in improving public management and human rights protection. Responses to the questionnaire highlighted numerous good practices regarding the participation of persons with disabilities in public decision-making, which demonstrate their role and added value in policy design and in the subsequent implementation and monitoring processes. 33. State authorities would also benefit from regular engagement with persons with disabilities, to learn not only about their specific needs but also about the policies required to address them. This would also provide State officials with an opportunity to understand the valuable contribution that persons with disabilities can make in societies, and avoid perpetuating outdated approaches to disability that de facto exclude a particular segment of the population. B. Ensuring the participation of representative organizations of persons with disabilities 1. Representative organizations of persons with disabilities 34. By stating that the primary obligation of States is to closely consult with and actively involve persons with disabilities, including children with disabilities, through their representative organizations, the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities addresses the fundamental challenge of a lack of direct participation of persons with disabilities. Following the motto of the disability movement, “nothing about us without us”, persons with disabilities are recognized as the main interlocutors when it comes to the treaty’s implementation and States should always give priority to their opinions in matters affecting them. Furthermore, in line with article 12 and the general principles of the Convention, the right to participate applies to all persons with disabilities, including those who might need extensive support in order to express their positions. 35. To ensure their participation, to mobilize social capital and to facilitate collective action among them, all persons with disabilities have the right to form, join and participate in CSOs, particularly representative organizations of persons with disabilities. International, national and local organizations of persons with disabilities strengthen the influence of the disability community, and play a mediating role between individuals and the State thus contributing to building inclusive societies where the rights of persons with disabilities are fully realized. 25 10 See http://pdwa.escwa.org.lb/uploads/nv4584952.pdf.