 |
 |
|
|
|
|
International Day of Disabled Persons
|
Panel Discussion Excerpts:
|
Our annual observance of the International Day of Disabled Persons on December 3rd provides us with opportunities to learn about current issues and trends in the field of disability and to reflect upon the ways in which people with disabilities contribute to the betterment of the societies in which they live.
The theme for the 1998 observance of the Day is "Arts, Culture and Independent Living". As the Secretary-General has noted in his "Message" on the occasion of the Day:
"Artistic and cultural pursuits provide important opportunities for personal expression, and the contributions of disabled persons in this regard not only enrich us all but serve to illuminate the universality of the human spirit. Independent living, for its part, based on equal access to essential services and to opportunities for productive, gainful employment, is likewise a pathway to the full participation of disabled persons in the lives of their societies".
The topic of our Panel discussion - Independent living: lifecycle approaches to sustainable and secure livelihoods of persons with disabilities - reflects one the three priorities for action in the field of disability that were identified last year by the General Assembly in its resolution 52/82. The views of the Assembly are concise and strategic: Governments were encouraged to promote in their policies and programmes accessibility, social services and social safety nets, and employment and sustainable livelihoods of, for and with people with disabilities.
Sustainable livelihoods also represent one of the three core concerns of the Copenhagen Declaration and Programme of Action adopted at the World Summit for Social Development. …
While the focus of the Panel presentations is on independent living of people with disabilities, we are of the view that the issues, concepts and principles related to lifecycle approaches to sustainable and secure livelihoods and well-being are a concern to all, which is consistent with the goal of the international community to promote "a society for all".
Our concern with independent living takes as its point of departure issues of concern to individuals and their families, and examines options that they may wish to consider in achieving sustainable and secure livelihoods on the basis of equality. The discussion will not touch upon the matter of provident funds and related institutions that societies may establish to provide a variety of social supports, safety nets and services.
Experience suggests that a range of options are available to individuals, the family unit and the larger community to promote sustainable and secure livelihoods. Such options are conditioned by the historical development experience, the development philosophy and approach and the relative level of the development of a particular society. Thus, our discussion today could be considered the first step in a dialogue in which we would hope to engage and examine other experiences and views so that we can enrich the global body of knowledge on policy design, programme planning and evaluation from the disability perspective.
