A/HRC/28/37 Inclusive education systems are promoted in some countries, although persons with disabilities still face various forms of discrimination in education settings. Measures to encourage employment of persons with disabilities are also common, although there is a consistent practice of sheltered work, contrary to article 27 of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Sheltered work in effect prevents inclusion and interaction with the community.36 46. Community-based rehabilitation can be an effective platform for supporting the inclusion of persons with disabilities in the development of their communities. Over the years, community-based rehabilitation has evolved from a medical-focused, often singlesector approach of service delivery, to a “strategy within general community development for the rehabilitation, equalization of opportunities, and social inclusion of all people with disabilities”.37 The community-based rehabilitation guidelines published in 2010 by the World Health Organization are aimed at promoting access of persons with disabilities to the mainstream health, education, social and employment sectors, while identifying new areas for development with regard to support services, such as personal assistance. The positive impact of community-based rehabilitation was highlighted in the submissions received, in particular those from El Salvador and Nicaragua, where other services for supporting independent life are not yet fully developed. 47. Informal networks play an important role in building an inclusive society. Family group conferencing is a practice found in several countries. In the Netherlands, the Eindhoven Model applies family group conferencing to actual or potential psychosocial crisis situations, using the network of the family, friends, neighbours, peers and other persons to prevent forced psychiatric interventions. “Microboards”, composed of a small group of friends and family, have also been used in some countries to engage community members to provide sustained support structures. Regardless of the nature of informal networks, article 19 requires that persons with disabilities exercise full decision-making abilities, with the network playing a supportive role.38 48. Inadequate or inaccessible infrastructure and remoteness are common reasons for discrimination against persons with disabilities in access to community services. States have an immediate obligation to provide reasonable accommodation in the absence of general accessibility measures in accordance with articles 2 and 5 of the Convention. While ageing cannot be equated with impairment, older persons with disabilities constitute a large section of the population and are particularly vulnerable to exclusion.39 The ongoing development of new standards on older persons should not be regressive and must build on the norms of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. 49. Building inclusive systems requires public investment and may appear costly. However, it is evident that providing for accessibility and inclusion from the outset is more cost-effective than adapting services and facilities at a later stage. Inclusive societies are also more cost-effective in the long term, in that they enable persons with disabilities to fully participate and contribute to economic, social, political and cultural life. 36 37 38 39 14 In previous reports to the Human Rights Council, OHCHR has addressed inclusion in employment (A/HRC/22/25) and inclusive education (A/HRC/25/29 and Corr.1). As defined in International Labour Office, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization and WHO, CBR: A Strategy for Rehabilitation, Equalization of Opportunities, Poverty Reduction and Social Inclusion of People with Disabilities, Joint Position Paper 2004. See further the discussion on choice and control in section III.A of the present study. See E/2012/51, and Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, general comment No. 6 (1995) on the economic, social and cultural rights of older persons.