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The implementation of legislation depends to a large extent on the political will of States to comply with international standards. A network of governmental, non-governmental and international support should work to ensure the effective implementation of international norms and standards. In this work, contributions by disabled persons themselves are of crucial importance.
The collection of information and data on persons with disabilities is needed to understand the situation of disabled persons in each country. Analysis of this information will give policy makers and legislators the necessary background and is helpful in the formulation of effective policies. In Rule 13 of The Standard Rules on the Equalization of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities States are urged to collect information on the living conditions of persons with disabilities. The collected information should be gender-specific and it should take different aspects into consideration. Such data should be collected at regular intervals as part of the official statistical system of countries. Data collection on prevalence of disability may be included in national census material, giving possibilities for its correlation with data on income, level of education and other relevant variables. Data can also be collected through household surveys, which can be undertaken in close collaboration with, inter alia, universities, research institutes and organisations of persons with disabilities. The data collection should include questions on programmes and services and their use.
The Statistics Division of the United Nations Secretariat works towards the development of a realistic and practical system of data collection in countries and to prepare technical manuals and documents on how to collect such statistics. The Statistical Commission of the United Nations decided in 1997 to include disability as a topic in the Principles and Recommendations for Population and Housing Censuses. However, the Secretary-General stated in his report 2000 World Population and Housing Census Programme that the method to be preferred when collecting data on disability is to conduct a specialised disability survey.
States should consider establishing a database on disability, which would include statistics on services and programmes, as well as data on different groups of persons with disabilities. The United Nations disability statistics database provides a framework that countries can use in preparation of their own national statistical databases. The United Nations disability statistics database is an essential resource when it comes to monitoring progress made on the international level concerning the situation of disabled persons.
In The Standard Rules on the Equalization of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities (rule 1), it is stated that "States should take action to raise awareness in society about persons with disabilities, their rights, their needs, their potential and their contribution." States should also distribute information on available services and programmes that would reach all concerned, disabled persons as well as the general public. Information directed to persons with disabilities should be available in forms that can be used and understood by people with visual, hearing or other communication limitations.
States should initiate information campaigns and public education programmes concerning disability issues, conveying the message that persons with disabilities have the equal rights and obligations as others. Disabled persons and their families should be involved in the making of public information and education programmes. States should also, according to Rule 1, aim at raising the level of awareness of persons with disabilities concerning their rights and potential. Increased awareness will assist persons with disabilities to take advantage of the opportunities available to them. The World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons (paragraph 154) stipulates that disabled persons and their organisations should be given equal access, employment, adequate resources and professional training with regard to public information, so they may express themselves freely through the media and communicate their points of view and experiences to the general public.
When the policymakers and the legislators have been information of the situation of disabled persons they can more readily plan the national policy concerning disabled persons. States should ensure that disability aspects are included in all relevant policy-making and national planning. This is stated in rule 14, in The Standard Rules on the Equalization of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities. States should initiate and plan adequate policies for persons with disabilities at the national level; nevertheless, action at regional and local levels should be stimulated and supported by the State. The needs and concerns of disabled persons should be incorporated into general development plans and not be treated separately. National long-term programmes on achieving the objectives of the World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons should be an integral component of the State’s general policy for socio-economic development. Local communities should be encouraged to develop programmes and measures for persons with disabilities.
States should involve organisations of persons with disabilities in all decision-making relating to plans and programmes concerning persons with disabilities or affecting in any way their economic and social status. According to rule 18 in The Standard Rules on the Equalization of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities, States should recognise the right of the organisations of persons with disabilities to represent disabled persons at national, regional and local levels. Member States should recognise the advisory role of these organisations, and direct contact with them should be established. This way the organisations can influence Government policies and decisions in areas that concern them.
Within the United Nations Secretariat, a number of offices also assist in co-ordinating national and international efforts in the field of disability. The offices include the Division of Human Rights (DHR), the Department of International Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), the Department of Public Information (DPI), the Division of Narcotic Drugs (DND) and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTD).
Other organisations and programmes of the United Nations have also adopted approaches related to development that are of significance to the World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons, inter alia:
The specialised agencies of the United Nations involved in promoting, supporting and carrying out field activities have an advisory role due to their long record of work related to disability. The work of these agencies includes disability presentation, nutrition, hygiene, education of disabled children and adults, vocational training and job placement.
Disability is a multidimensional issue that concerns many different actors; therefore, there is a need for co-ordination of work between all actors concerned. The World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons and rule 17 of The Standard Rules on the Equalization of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities require States to establish national co-ordinating committees, or similar bodies, to serve as a national focal point on disability matters. The Guidelines for the Establishment and Development of National Co-ordinating Committees on Disability or Similar Bodies elaborates in a more detailed way the role and functioning of national co-ordinating committees. The national co-ordinating committees or similar bodies should be permanent and based on legal, as well as appropriate administrative regulation. The committee’s functions is to review, co-ordinate and advice on the activities of all agencies and non-governmental organisations working for and on behalf of persons with disabilities. It acts in a professional advisory capacity in relation to Government and policy-makers on all issues affecting the well being of persons with disabilities. The national co-ordinating committee should be provided with sufficient autonomy and resources to fulfil its responsibilities. The national co-ordinating committee should be composed of representatives from different sectors of society. Representatives could be drawn from government ministries concerned with social and medical welfare, employment, transport, housing, education, culture and planning, from non-governmental organisations and from organisations of persons with disabilities. Organisations of persons with disabilities should have considerable influence in the national co-ordinating committees in order to ensure proper feedback of their concerns.
The World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons paragraph 34 states that "…the regional commissions of the United Nations and other regional bodies should encourage regional and sub-regional co-operation in the area of prevention of disability, rehabilitation of disabled persons and equalisation of opportunities." The regional commissions are: the Economic Commission for Africa in Addis Ababa, the Economic Commission for Europe in Geneva, the Economic Commission for Latin America in Santiago, the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific in Bangkok and the Economic Commission for Western Asia in Beirut. They should identify needs, collect and analyse information, supply advisory services, sponsor research and monitor progress in their regions.
Regional co-ordinating functions are also exercised by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), which is concerned, among other things, with the prevention of disability among Palestinian refugees and the reduction of social and physical barriers confronting disabled refugees.
Rule 19 in The Standard Rules on the Equalization of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities stipulates that States are responsible for ensuring the adequate training of personnel, at all levels, involved in the planning and provision of programmes and services concerning disabled persons. States should also see to it that all authorities providing services in the disability field give adequate training to their personnel. When developing training programmes, States should consult organisations of persons with disabilities. Disabled persons should be involved as teachers, instructors or advisers in personnel training programmes. On a regional level, the regional commissions of the United Nations should also provide for personnel training.
The training of community workers is also of great strategic importance. It should involve disabled persons and include the development of appropriate values, competence and technologies. States should ensure that community workers receive, in addition to specialised knowledge and skills, comprehensive information concerning the social, nutritional, medical, educational and vocational needs of the disabled persons. Community workers can provide most of the services needed by disabled persons if they are provided with adequate training and supervision. This can be a valuable asset in overcoming personnel shortages. States should also expand the knowledge and responsibilities of persons working in related fields who provide other services, such as teachers, social workers, administrators and community leaders.
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