3 DECEMBER 1996:

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF DISABLED PERSONS

Focus on Poverty and Disability

The official observance of the International Day of Disabled Persons takes place on 3 December. This year's theme "Poverty and Disability" has been chosen as a contribution to the current International Year for the Eradication of Poverty. The 1996 observance aims at raising awareness about the detrimental relationship between poverty and disability.

People living in poverty tend to become disabled because of aggravating factors, such as malnutrition, squalid housing, hazardous occupations, and heightened exposure to violence. Conversely, people with disabilities tend to be poorer or to become impoverished because they lack jobs or access to income, basic social and medical services, and rehabilitation. On top of this, the poor with disabilities are often exposed to the devastating effects of discrimination, exclusion, sheer prejudice or superstition, and the denial of participation and influence in society.

The International Day of Disabled Persons, proclaimed in 1992 by the United Nations General Assembly in its resolution 47/3, is observed every year on 3 December. The observance reinforces the international community's commitment to improve the integration of persons with disabilities by equalizing their economic and social opportunities as well as their participation in decision-making.

Disability and Poverty

Global estimates indicate that a total of 250 to 300 million people are severely or moderately disabled. The disabling causes are congenital and perinatal disturbances; communicable diseases such as poliomyelitis, trachoma and leprosy; non-communicable diseases; psychiatric disturbances; alcoholism and drug abuse; trauma and injuries resulting from traffic, occupational and home accidents; and violence and armed conflicts.

According to World Bank estimates about two thirds of all severely to moderately disabled persons live in poverty. They belong to the poorest of the poor of the world's population and are acutely affected by shortages in water, food and housing, bad or non-existent public transportation and health care, and the lack of employment or other income opportunities. In addition, disabled persons living in poverty are more likely to be excluded from information, power, resources and access than any other group of society. As a result, millions of them, in particular disabled women and girls, have to live "beneath any reasonable definition of human decency", as Robert Mc Namara, former President of the World Bank, pointed out.

Effective Prevention and Rehabilitation

Many poverty related disabilities, particularly in developing countries, could be prevented. Poliomyelitis is the most flagrant example. In fact, this disease could have been eradicated several years ago if efficient immunization programmes and sufficient hygienic conditions were put in place. Although polio has been eradicated in more than 110 countries, many millions of people are disabled because of this disease and new cases are added each year. Leprosy is another preventable poverty-related disease causing disability. Most cases are reported in India and Latin America. Iodine deficiency is another frequent poverty-related cause of disability with almost 30 percent of the world population living in iodine deficiency areas. If iodine is not added to salt, a whole population may have a lowered physical and intellectual capacity. The worst condition created by iodine deficiency is cretinism.

People who are or become disabled require rehabilitation, a process that provides them with tools to move their lives towards achievement and independence. In over 60 countries, community-based rehabilitation (CBR) has proved to be an effective strategy to attack the detrimental down-cycle caused by poverty and disability. Community-based rehabilitation uses resources in local communities: the disabled person her/himself, her/his family, neighbours and the local environment. The goal is to empower disabled persons, and these programmes are successful because they take into account the requirements and needs of local production and services; adapt local education and vocational training to the needs and opportunities of disabled persons; and provide health care for disabled persons.

The United Nations: Setting Standards for the Equalization of Opportunities

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 Programme 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:

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 Programme of Action).

For programme information, please contact:
United Nations Department for Policy Coordination
and Sustainable Development
Division for Social Policy and Development
2 UN Plaza
Room DC 2-1342
New York, NY 10017, USA
Tel.: (212) 963-1996
Fax.: (212) 963-3062
E-mail: Ito@un.org
Internet Homepage: http://www.un.org/DPCSD

For general information, please contact:
United Nations Department of Public Information
Room: S-1040
New York, NY 10017, USA
Tel.: (212) 963-3771 or 963-1786
Fax.: (212) 963-1186
E-mail: Vasic@un.org

Published by the United Nations Department of Public Information * DPI/1865 -- November 1996