United Nations further promote the equalization of opportunity

NEW YORK: Since its establishment, the United Nations has promoted the well-being and integration of disabled persons, first by providing advice and organizing workshops and training for technical personnel.

Since the 1970s, however, the Organization's efforts have embraced the human rights of persons with disabilities and have called for the equalization of opportunities at all levels.

In 1975, the General Assembly adopted the "Declaration on the Rights of Disabled Persons" emphasizing the civil and political rights of disabled persons. In 1976, the UN Member States proclaimed the year 1981 as the "International Year of Disabled Persons to Promote full Participation and Equality".

Major outcomes of the International Year were the formulation of a "World Program of Action concerning Disabled Persons", adopted in 1982 by the General Assembly (resolution 37/52), and the proclamation of the United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons (1983 - 1992).

At the conclusion of the Decade, a Working Group of Government Experts developed a set of twenty-two "Standard Rules on the Equalization of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities", based on the experience gained during the Decade.

Although the Rules are not compulsory for Governments, they imply a strong moral and political commitment of States to equalize the opportunities of persons with disabilities.

To this end, the Rules outline specific principles for responsibility, action and cooperation.

The Standard Rules:

Identify preconditions for equal participation, such as awareness-raising, medical care, rehabilitation, and provision of support services; specify target areas for equal participation, including accessibility, education, employment, income maintenance, social security, family life and personal integrity, culture, recreation and sports.

To promote implementation measures and tools, with an emphasis on information and research, policy-making and planning, legislation, economic policies, national coordination, organizations of persons with disabilities, training, monitoring and evaluation of disability programs, technical and economic cooperation;

Calling for the appointment of a Special Rapporteur to monitor the implementation of the Standard Rules, within the framework of the UN Commission for Social Development.

The Standard Rules are expected to become international customary rules when applied by a greater number of States. In 1995, 117 Heads of State and Government at the Copenhagen Social Summit affirmed their commitment to promoting the Standard Rules and developing strategies for their implementation:

"Governments, in collaboration with organizations of people with disabilities and the private sector, should work towards the equalization of opportunities so that people with disabilities can contribute to and benefit from full participation in society. Policies concerning people with disabilities should focus on their abilities rather than their disabilities and should ensure their dignity as citizens." (The Copenhagen Program of Action).

At the United Nations Headquarters in New York, the International Day of Disabled Persons will be commemorated with an exhibit entitled Inspiration and Innovation: Helen Keller and the American Foundation for the Blind displayed from Dec. 3 to Dec. 31 in the Public Lobby. The exhibit which is cosponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind and the UN Department for Public Information shows how technology assists blind or visually impaired people in their work and participation in everyday life.

-- UNIC