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  4. All different all equal

All different all equal

8-12 years old

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What does this mean?

It’s your right to be treated fairly.

All children have children’s rights, no matter who they are, where they come from, what they look like, what language they speak or what their culture is.

Children with a disability should not be treated differently. They should be helped so they can do the same things as other children.

EXAMPLE: All children in Ireland have the right to get an education. If you need special help in school, like a ramp or a special needs assistant, the Government should make sure you can get it.

Learn more about this right

  • UNCRC, article 2 – All children have these rights, no matter who they are, where they live, what their parents do, what language they speak, what their religion is, whether they are a boy or girl, what their culture is, whether they have a disability, whether they are rich or poor. No child should be treated unfairly on any basis.
  • Under the Equal Status Act 2000 in Ireland, it’s your right to be treated equally. You can’t be treated differently and discriminated against on the following grounds: gender, civil status (married/single/civil partnership), family status, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, race/ethnic background/nationality, membership of the Traveller community.
  • Discrimination is when you are treated differently to other people because of the way you look, where you are from, what age you are, your religion, what language you speak, if you’re a boy or a girl or if you have a disability. There is a law in Ireland called the Equality Act that says that discrimination like this is against the law.
  • In Ireland, the majority of schools can’t refuse to let you attend their school either because of your religion or race.
  • There are some religious schools, like Jewish schools and other minority religions, who give preference to students to attend their school if they are the same religion.
  • Gaelscoils can give preference to students who speak Irish at home.
  • No sports team can refuse to let you join their team because of the way you look or where you are from.
  • If you need a special operation or medicine, doctors or hospitals can’t refuse to treat you because of the way you look or where you are from.
  • Children with a disability have the same rights as able children. They should be able to go to school and take part in activities in the same way as other children, in whatever way they are able.