In general, persons with disabilities are marginalized and face discrimination on account of their disability.

Some groups of persons with disabilities face multiple or aggravated discrimination on account of their status or membership in a minority group. They experience discrimination due to their disability as well as other characteristic, situation or circumstance, such as age, social situation, or health status.

There are many attributes which may result in multiple or aggravated discrimination. These include, but are by no means limited to: race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national, ethnic, indigenous or social origin, property, birth, age, sexual minority status, poverty, or other status.

Persons with disabilities, like other human beings, belong to more than one group at a time. The interrelationship of such multiple group membership can create additional vulnerabilities to discrimination.

For example, an elderly woman with a disability who lives in poverty and who is a member of an indigenous community may experience discrimination based upon her age, status as a woman, a person with a disability, and a member of a minority community. Like that of many persons, her identity is complex, and her experience of discrimination is likewise complex, layered, and comprised of several dimensions.

Persons with disabilities may face discrimination in a variety of life circumstances and situations.

For example, persons with disabilities who are living in a humanitarian crisis, such as natural disaster or armed conflict, may experience discrimination on account of their disability and on the basis of their refugee or displaced status.

Health status may also result in discrimination, for example, in the situation of a person with a disability who is living with HIV/AIDS or other communicable disease.

These differences and a variety of other characteristics and circumstances should be taken into account when considering how best to ensure the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all persons with disabilities.

Several of the principles in the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) are of particular note:

1. The principle of non-discrimination recognizes that both disability discrimination and discrimination on other grounds are prohibited;
2. The principle of full and effective participation and inclusion in society recognizes that all persons with disabilities, whatever their minority or other status or circumstance, are entitled to participate fully in their community and in decision-making where their interests are affected;
3. The principle of respect for difference and acceptance of persons with disabilities as part of human diversity and humanity recognizes that diversity in humankind, whether based on disability or any other attribute, is to be respected and valued;
4. The principle of equality of opportunity recognizes that all persons with disabilities are entitled to equality of opportunity, whatever their minority or other status or circumstance;
5. The principle of equality between men and women recognizes that persons with disabilities, whether men or women, are entitled to equality and an explicit basis on which to challenge double discrimination based on disability and sex; and
6. The principle of respect for the evolving capacities of children with disabilities and respect for the right of children with disabilities to preserve their identities recognizes the rights of the child and the issue of discrimination based on disability and age.

In sum, the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) CRPD captures the idea that the human experience and identity of persons with disabilities is complex, multi-layered, and multidimensional.