Final report of the Special Rapporteur of the
Commission for Social Development on monitoring the
implementation of the Standard Rules on the Equalization
of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities
4 of 9   
IV. ACTIVITIES OF NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS
The major international non-governmental organizations in the disability field were,
from the very beginning, actively involved in the elaboration of the Standard Rules. Even
though some parts of the Rules were agreed upon through compromise, it is important to
note that the international non-governmental organizations fully supported the adoption of
the Rules.
The unique form of cooperation, where non-governmental organizations, upon the
invitation of the United Nations, established a panel of experts to serve as part of the
monitoring exercise, meant a direct involvement of those organizations in the actual
monitoring process.
The six international non-governmental organizations represented in the panel and a
considerable number of other organizations have organized many different activities to
support the implementation of the Rules. Several organizations have assembled users'
guides and information kits to assist member organizations in the utilization of the
Rules. Those materials are being extensively used both on national and regional levels.
The Rules have been presented in articles in many of the organization magazines. In
some cases series of articles have been published.
At practically all important events organized by the major non-governmental
organizations, the issue of implementing the Standard Rules has been part of the
programme.
The major non-governmental organizations have worked together at all the recent world
conferences organized by the United Nations, including the Social Summit, to ensure that
the implementation of the Standard Rules was included in declarations and reports issued
by those conferences.
The following quotation from subparagraph 75 (k) of the report of the World Summit for
Social Development may serve as an example of what was obtained through those activities:
"75. Governmental responses to special needs of social groups should include:
"(k) Promoting the United Nations Standard Rules on the Equalization of
Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities and developing strategies for implementing the
Rules. 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".1
The non-governmental organizations have brought up the issue of integrating the
disability component, built on the Standard Rules, into the mainstream activities of the
various United Nations agencies.
Notes
1 Report of the World Summit for Social Development,
Copenhagen, 6-12 March 1995 (United Nations publication, Sales No. 96.IV.8), chap. 4,
sect. D, para. 75 (k)).
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