INTERNATIONAL NORMS
AND STANDARDS RELATING TO DISABILITY
Introduction   
INTRODUCTION
This Resource provides concise analytical information on
international norms and standards concerning persons with disabilities
that have been adopted under the auspices of the United Nations System
or other inter-governmental bodies and organizations. It is a reference
tool that contains information resources on the international and
regional normative standards to promote the rights of persons with
disabilities in society within a broad human rights framework,
encompassing the full range of human rights from civil and political to
economic, social and cultural rights and the different mechanisms by
which these norms and standards have been adopted in to local laws.
Further, this Resource is a practical guide to putting into practice
rights on behalf of persons with disabilities. It also provides an
educational tool designed to assist Governments, national and
international policy makers, intergovernmental organizations,
international organizations, non-governmental organizations, researchers
in the area of disability rights, civil society organizations concerned
with disability issues and the global disability community to identify
effective measures to promote, protect and integrate the rights of
persons with disabilities into all areas of national legislation,
policies and programmes and to promote increased awareness of
internationally accepted norms on: 1) the equalization of opportunities
for persons with disabilities; 2) the full and effective integration of
persons with disabilities in social life and development; and 3)
standards to protect and promote the rights of persons with
disabilities. It is hoped that the Resource may provide a practical tool
to effect the commitment of the international, national and local
communities to the goals and objectives of international human rights
standards pertaining to persons with disabilities, identify obstacles
and challenges in implementing these rights and develop an agenda for
the empowerment of persons with disabilities.
The Resource is divided into five parts. The Background to the
Resource introduces international human rights norms and the specific
international norms on disability rights. Part I discusses the national
framework for the protection of human rights and disability rights. Part
II discusses the international human rights guarantees, which address
disability rights. Part III explores the regional human rights
mechanisms available for the protection of disability rights. Part IV
reviews the different categories of rights protection for persons with
disabilities and Part V discusses the rights of persons with
disabilities belonging to special groups.
It is hoped that this draft Resource posted on the Internet will
encourage scholars, practitioners and specialists in international law
and policy to make comments on this draft and generally contribute their
thoughts on the innovative application of international norms and
standards to advance the status of persons with disabilities.
The United Nations from its very inception has been concerned with
the status and rights of persons with disabilities, and has also
recognized that discrimination against persons with disabilities
adversely affects the economic and social development of entire
communities. The United Nations has sought to promote the right of
persons with disabilities in its very founding principles, which are
based on fundamental freedoms and equality of all human beings.
a) General International Norms Pertaining to Persons
with Disabilities
The Charter of the United
Nations requires member States to respect human rights for all
without any distinction as to race, sex, language or religion and forms
the nucleus for the protection of rights for persons with disabilities.
Specific articles of the Charter provide the foundation on which
disability rights can be built. These articles are as follows:
- Article 1 (3) states that the purpose of the United Nations is
"…to achieve international co-operation in solving
international problems of an economic, social, cultural, or
humanitarian character, and in promoting and encouraging respect for
human rights and for fundamental freedoms for all without
distinction ".
- Article 13 (1) (b) states that the General Assembly "…shall
initiate studies and make recommendations for the purpose of
promoting international co-operation in the economic, social,
cultural, educational, and health field, and assisting in the
realisation of human rights and fundamental freedoms for all "
- Article 55 (a) states that the "…United Nations shall
promote higher standards of living, full employment, and conditions
of economic and social progress and development." Furthermore,
article 55 (c) provides that the "…United Nations shall
promote universal respect for, and observance of, human rights and
fundamental freedoms for all."
The Universal
Declaration of Human Rights forms the fundamental normative basis on
which international norms and standards concerning persons with
disabilities have evolved. The Universal Declaration contains a number
of provisions, which constitute the foundation for resolutions regarding
disabilities based on the principle of equal rights. They are as
follows:
- Article 1states: "…all human beings are born free and equal
in dignity and rights." Article 2 provides that "…everyone
is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this
Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour,
sex or other status"
- Articles 3 and 6 together state: "Everyone has the right to…"
life, without any provisions or limitations.
- Article 7 states that "…[a]ll are equal before the law and
are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the
law. All are entitled to protection against any discrimination and
against any incitement to such discrimination." Furthermore,
article 25 of the Declaration recognises that everyone has "…the
right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness,
disability, (...) or other lack of livelihood in circumstances
beyond his control."
Apart from the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights there are six core human rights
conventions that relate to the rights of persons with disabilities. The International
Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), and the International
Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) ratified
in 1966 are the two basic human rights treaties and together with the Universal Declaration of
Human Rights constitute the International Bill of Rights. The other
four core human rights conventions are the Convention Against
Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment
(CAT)(1949); the Convention
on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW)
(1979); the Convention
on the Rights of the Child (CRC) (1989); and the International
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination
(CERD) (1966). While all six conventions stipulate the principle of non-
discrimination, the last mentioned treaties specify the general rights
enunciated in the ICCPR and ICESCR.
The provisions on anti-discrimination in the ICCPR have special
relevance to rights of persons with disabilities. These rights are as
follows:
The right to life (article 6) and the right to freedom from torture and
other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment and punishment (article 7)
have special relevance to disability. The right to be recognised as a
person before the law (article 16) too has special significance to
persons with disabilities. Both articles 14 and 15 recognise the right
to access to justice, including the right to the free assistance of an
interpreter in court. One of the most important rights in relation to
persons with disabilities is enunciated in article 25, which establishes
that citizens are entitled to "access on general terms of equality,
to public service in his country".
The provisions of the ICESCR pertaining to anti-discrimination too
relate to rights of persons with disabilities. Article 2, paragraph 2 of
the Convention encourages states parties to, " undertake to
guarantee that the rights enunciated in the present Covenant will be
exercised without discrimination of any kind as to race, colour, sex,
language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social
origin, property, birth or other status. According to General Comment
No.3 of the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, states
must take steps which are deliberate, concrete and targeted and must be
taken within a reasonably short time after the Covenant's entry into
force in a particular country. General Comment No.3 also emphasises that
" even in times of severe resource constraint…the vulnerable
members of society can and indeed must be protected by the adoption of
relatively low-cost targeted programmes."
General Comment No. 5 is a definitive analysis of the States parties
obligations under the ICESCR in the context of disability. It recognizes
that:
"[t]hrough neglect, ignorance, prejudice and false assumptions,
as well as through exclusion, distinction or separation, persons with
disabilities have very often been prevented from exercising their
economic, social or cultural rights on an equal basis with persons
without disabilities. The effects of disability-based discrimination
have been particularly severe in the fields of education, employment,
housing, transport, cultural life, and access to public places and
services." (para. 15)
State party obligations in relation to non-state parties are
enumerated thus:
"[in] the absence of Government intervention there will always be
instances in which the operation of the free market will produce
unsatisfactory results for persons with disabilities, either
individually or as a group, and in such circumstances it is incumbent
on Governments to step in and take appropriate measures to temper,
complement, compensate for, or override the results produced by market
forces." (para. 12)
States parties are encouraged to take affirmative action to:
" reduce structural disadvantages and to give appropriate
preferential treatment to people with disabilities in order to achieve
the objectives of full participation and equality within society for
all persons with disabilities." (para. 9) Further, states parties
are, " required to take appropriate measures, to the maximum
extent of their available resources, to enable such persons to seek to
overcome any disadvantages, in terms of the enjoyment of the rights
specified in the Covenant, flowing from their disability." (para.
5) The General Comment No. 5 also states that, "it is also
necessary to ensure that support services, including assistance
devices are available for persons with disabilities, to assist them to
increase their level of independence in their daily living and to
exercise their rights." (para. 33)
The Convention
Against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or
Punishment is of special importance in preventing disability as a
result of torture. In furtherance of its obligations under the
Convention, states parties are to take necessary steps under Article 2
of the convention. The article reads as follows: 1. Each State Party
shall take effective legislative, administrative, judicial or other
measures to prevent acts of torture in any territory under its
jurisdiction. 2. No exceptional circumstances whatsoever, whether a
state of war or a threat of war, internal political instability or any
other public emergency, may be invoked as a justification of torture. 3.
An order from a superior office or a public authority may not be invoked
as a justification of torture.
The Convention
on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women
covers all women, whether disabled or not. Women with disabilities face
discrimination both because of their gender and disability. Moreover,
certain gender specific cultural or traditional practices can cause
disability among women as well as cause further harm to disabled women.
Unlike other human rights conventions, the Convention on the
Rights of the Child in article 23 focuses directly on children with
disabilities. Even though no direct obligations have been placed on
state parties to take measures to ensure that children with disabilities
enjoy a life of dignity, self reliance and integration with the
community, article 23, paragraph 1-4 recognizes the importance of
participation in the community, education, training health care,
rehabilitation employment and recreation opportunities for children with
disabilities. The Committee
on the Rights of the Child has however established that the fact
that article 23 is dedicated to children with disabilities should not
mean that the rights of children with disabilities are confined to that
article.
The International
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination,
like CEDAW is aimed at preventing double discrimination. Persons with
disabilities of particular racial or minority groups are more vulnerable
to discrimination on account of both race and disability. The
Convention, as noted by General Recommendation XXV of the Committee on the
Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination covers gender
related racial discrimination and by analogy, an inference could be
drawn that it covers disabled persons of different racial or ethnic
groups.
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b) Specific Rights Pertaining To Persons with
Disabilities
In the past few decades, the United Nations has given considerable
attention to the rights of persons with disabilities. Increased crisis
situations such as widespread hunger, wars, and ecological disasters
afflicting many communities around the world have increased the numbers
of persons with disabilities. Apart from general human rights
conventions, the United Nations has created extensive policy on issues
of disability. In 1971, the Declaration on the
Rights of Mentally Retarded Persons was adopted by the General
Assembly. Article 1 of the Declaration on the
Rights of Mentally Retarded Persons proclaims that mentally retarded
persons have the same rights as other human beings. In addition, Article
2 states that mentally retarded persons have the right to proper medical
care and physical therapy and to such education, training,
rehabilitation and guidance as will enable them to develop their ability
and maximum potentials. Also, mentally retarded persons have the right
to economic security and a decent standard of living (article 3).
Article 6 provides that mentally disabled persons have a right to
protection from exploitation, abuse and degrading treatment.
Furthermore, the Assembly declared that there should be legal safeguards
available to protect the mentally retarded from abuse.
Article 1 of the Declaration
on the Rights of Disabled Persons adopted in 1975 defines a person
with disabilities as "…any person unable to secure by himself,
wholly or partly, the necessities of a normal individual and / or social
life, as a result of deficiency, either congenital or not, in his or her
physical or mental capabilities." In the Preamble of the
Declaration, the General Assembly called for "…national and
international action to ensure that it will be used as a common basis
and frame of reference for the protection of [the rights contained
within the Declaration] " Article 4 asserts broad social and
economic rights for disabled persons and provides that disabled persons
have the same civil and political rights as other human beings. Article
5 provides that "…disabled persons are entitled to the measures
designed to enable them to become as self- reliant as possible."
Article 6 states that persons with disabilities have the "…right
to medical, psychological and functional treatment (...) to medical and
social rehabilitation, education, vocational training and
rehabilitation, aid, counselling, placement services and other services
which will enable them to develop their capabilities and skills to the
maximum and will hasten the processes of their social integration or
reintegration." Article 7 provides that disabled persons have the
right to economic and social security and to a decent level of living.
"Disabled persons are entitled to have their special needs taken
into account at all stages of economic and social planning"
(article 8). Also, Article 9 states that disabled persons have the right
"…to live with their families or with foster parents and to
participate in all social, creative or recreational activities."
The Declaration also prohibits discrimination. For example, article 10
states: "Disabled persons shall be protected against all
exploitation, all regulations and all treatment of a discriminatory,
abusive or degrading nature." The Declaration further requires that
disabled persons be "…provided with qualified legal aid where
such aid is indispensable for the protection of disabled persons
themselves and their property" (article 11). Finally, the
Declaration states that persons with disabilities and their families
have a right to receive information on the rights contained in the
Declaration (article 13).
In the 1980's the activity that began in the 1970's picked up
momentum and the next decade witnessed an acceleration of activity on
rights on behalf of persons with disability. The year 1981 was declared
the International Year of Disabled Persons by a General Assembly
resolution 31/123 of 16 December 1976. An important United Nations
Voluntary Fund on Disability was established by General Assembly
Resolution 32/133 in connection with the International Year of Disabled
Persons. The Fund was later renamed the Voluntary Fund for the United
Nations Decade of Disabled Persons (1983-1992). The theme was Full
Participation and Equality, defined as the right of persons with
disabilities to participate fully in their societies, to enjoy equal
living conditions, and to have an equal share in improved conditions.
The resolution proclaimed that the year 1981 be devoted to the full
integration of disabled persons in society; the encouragement of
academic research projects to facilitate the participation of persons
with disabilities in daily life; the education of the public in regard
to the rights of persons with disabilities; understanding and accepting
persons with disabilities; and encouraging persons with disabilities to
form organizations to express their views.
One of the most important outcomes of the International Year of
Disabled Persons was the formulation of the World Programme
of Action Concerning Disabled Persons, which was adopted by the
General Assembly in 1982. The World Programme represents the first world
wide international long-term policy in relation to disabled persons. The
Programme proposed three actions:
- Prevention of mental, physical and sensory impairments;
- Rehabilitation to assist disabled persons to reach their optimum
mental, physical, and social capacities;
- Equalization of opportunities for persons with disabilities in
areas including housing, transportation, education, social and
medical well-being and recreation.
The World Programme of Action Concerning
Disabled Persons consists of three chapters:
- Objectives, Background and Concepts;
- An overview of the current situation of disabled persons and
- Proposals for the implementation of the Programme.
The purpose of the World Programme is to promote effective measures
for prevention of disability, rehabilitation and the realisation of the
goals of Full Participation of disabled persons in social life and
development and of Equality. The Programme adds a human rights
dimension by recognising the Equalization of Opportunities as an
important objective for achieving full participation by disabled persons
in all areas of life.
The Programme marks a shift towards a rights based model and an
explicit recognition of the right of all persons to equal opportunity.
In paragraph 12, the WPA defines "equalization of
opportunities" as, "the process through which the general
system of society, such as the physical and cultural environment,
housing and transportation, social and health services, educational and
work opportunities, cultural and social life, including sports and
recreational facilities, are made accessible to all". The General
Assembly adopted the resolution Implementation of the World
Programme of Action Concerning Disabled Persons the year
following the adoption of the World Programme.
The 1987 review in Stockholm of the Implementation of the World
Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons in Stockholm recommended
the drafting of a convention on the human rights of persons with
disabilities. In 1994, a long-term strategy was adopted to implement the
World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons to the Year 2000.
The General Assembly declared the period of 1983 to 1992 the
United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons. The General Assembly
encouraged Member States to use the decade to implement the World
Programme of Action. In 1989, the General Assembly adopted the Tallinn
Guidelines for Action on Human Resources Development in the Field of
Disability. The Guidelines provide a framework for the education and
employment of persons with disabilities within government ministries and
on all levels of national policy-making. The aim of the Tallinn
Guidelines is to promote the human resources development of persons with
disabilities. Guideline 6 states that human resource development "…is
a process centred on the human person that seeks to realise the full
potential and capabilities of human beings." Guideline 9 provides
that "…the abilities of disabled persons and their families
should be strengthened through community-based supplementary services
provided by Governments and non-governmental organizations."
The Guidelines outline a series of strategies for promoting the human
resource development of persons with disabilities. These strategies
include the promotion of education, training and employment for disabled
persons, as well as community awareness. In particular, guideline 33
provides that "…disabled persons have the right to be trained for
and to work on equal terms in the regular labour force." Guideline
23 states that "…education at the primary, secondary and higher
levels should be available to disabled persons within the regular
educational system and in regular school settings, as well as in
vocational training programmes." Guideline 28 provides that "…in
addition to being offered formal skills training and education, disabled
persons should be offered training in social and self-help skills to
prepare them from independent living." The thrust of the guidelines
is that disabled persons are "…agents of their own destiny rather
than objects of care…" (guideline 8).
In 1991, the General Assembly adopted the Principles for the
Protection of Persons with Mental Illness for the Improvement of Mental
Health Care. The Principles define the basic rights and fundamental
freedoms of persons with disabilities and was considered a new
development in the field of treatment of mental health.
The Principles represent minimum United Nations standards for
protecting the fundamental freedoms and legal rights of those with
mental illness. They are intended to be used by Governments, special
agencies, national and regional organizations, international
organizations, and non-governmental organizations as a guide.
Principle 1 (2) provides that "…all persons with a mental
illness, or who are being treated as such persons, shall be treated with
humanity and respect for the inherent dignity of the human person."
Other rights of persons with mental illnesses which are included in the
Principles concern the protection of minors, determination of mental
illness, medical examination, confidentiality, consent to treatment, and
rights and conditions in mental health facilities. Principle 23 requires
States to implement these Principles through appropriate legislative,
judicial, administrative, educational and other measures. According to
principle 24, the Principles apply to all persons who are admitted to a
mental health facility.
The major outcomes of the last decade were the designation of
December 3rd as the annual International Day of Disabled Persons
(General Assembly Resolution 48/98 of 20 December 1993) and the
subsequent adoption of The Standard
Rules on the Equalization of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities.
The Standard Rules consist of four major sections: 1) Preconditions for
equal participation; 2) Target areas for equal participation, 3)
Implementation measures; and 4) Monitoring mechanisms.
The Rules summarise the message of the World Programme
of Action concerning Disabled Persons and are designed to provide
Governments with policy guidelines and options, which can be
incorporated into national legislation. The long-term strategy presents
a framework for collaborative action at the national, regional and
international levels to achieve the aim expressed by the Assembly in
resolution 48/99 of a society for all by the year 2010. The Strategy
outlines a sequence of suggested actions by interested Governments for
the period 1995-2010, together with associated targets, time-frames for
action and an ancillary set of support measures at the regional and
international levels to realize that aim.
Although The
Standard Rules on the Equalization of Opportunities for Persons with
Disabilities are not legally binding and do not have the full force
of law, they have been adopted by a large number of States and imply a
strong moral and political commitment on behalf of States to take action
for the equalization of opportunities for disabled persons. The Standard
Rules is, in fact, the first universal instrument to refer specifically
to disabled persons, as well as to contain an extremely broad statement
of the rights to equal opportunities.
The first chapter of the Rules, Preconditions for Equal
Participation, consists of four preconditions for equal
participation: these are awareness raising (rule 1), medical care (rule
2), rehabilitation (rule 3) and support services (rule 4).
Rule 1 provides that "States should take action to raise
awareness in society about persons with disabilities, their rights,
their needs, their potential and their contribution." An important
component of awareness raising is to focus the education campaign on
children as a means of shaping a positive attitude towards persons with
disabilities among future generations (rule 1 (9)).
Rule 2 provides that States should ensure the provision of effective
medical care to persons with disabilities.
Also, rule 3 states that in order to assist disabled persons "…to
reach and sustain their optimum level of independence and
functioning," States should ensure the provision of rehabilitation
services to persons with disabilities. Rule 4 provides further that
States should ensure the development and supply of support services,
including assistive devices for persons with disabilities, to assist
them to increase their level of independence in their daily living and
to exercise their rights. Together, these two Rules aim to ensure that
persons with disabilities are able to achieve a level of functioning
that allows them to interact in general society.
The second chapter of the Standard Rules deals with Target Areas
for Equal Participation (rules 5 to 12). The selected target areas
include accessibility, education, employment, income maintenance and
social security, family life and personal integrity, culture, recreation
and sports, and religion. The notion of accessibility involves
the creation of a physical environment, which is appropriate for people
with disabilities. Rule 5 asks States to introduce (a) programmes of
action to make the physical environment more accessible and (b)
undertake measures to provide access to information and communication.
Rule 6 of the Standard Rules, stipulates that States are requested to
"…recognise the principle of equal primary, secondary and
tertiary educational opportunities for children, youth and adults with
disabilities, in integrated settings. They should ensure that the
education of persons with disabilities is an integral part of the
educational system." Rule 6 (8) provides that in countries where
the general school system does "…not yet adequately meet the
needs of all persons with disabilities, special education may be
considered."
To attain independence, appropriate employment for disabled persons
is essential. As stated in Rule 7 of the Standard Rules, "States
should recognise the principle that persons with disabilities must be
empowered to exercise their human rights, particularly in the field of
employment." One of the key aspects in social policy reform in
recent years has been the recognition that disabled persons have been
excluded from access to employment in the public and private sector for
reasons unrelated to their ability to do the job. Rule 7 (1) provides
that employment laws "…must not discriminate against persons with
disabilities and must not raise obstacles to their employment." The
Standard Rules also encourage States to actively support the integration
of persons with disabilities into open employment (7 (2)); design and
adapt workplaces and premises so that they become accessible to disabled
persons (7 (3) (a)); support the use of new technologies and the
production of assistive devices, tools and equipment (7 (3) (b)); and
provide appropriate training and placement and ongoing support such as
personal assistance and interpreter services (7 (3) (c)).
Rule 8 concerns income maintenance and social security. The Preamble
to Rule 8 provides that States are responsible for the provision of
social security and income maintenance for persons with disabilities.
Rule 8 (3) encourages States to also provide income support and social
security protection to individuals who are involved in caring for a
disabled person. However, pursuant to Rules 8 (4) and (5), social
security systems should include incentives to restore the income-earning
capacity of persons with disabilities and incentives for disabled
persons to seek employment. Thus, social security programmes should be
structured to encourage people to seek and secure employment and should
not be provided as a substitute for employment.
Rule 9 (2) encourages States to promote the full participation of
persons with disabilities in family life. In particular, persons with
disabilities must not be denied the opportunity to express their sexual
identity and experience parenthood.
Rules 10 - 12 require States to ensure that people with disabilities
have equal opportunities to participate in cultural activities,
recreation and sports, and religious life. True equalization of
opportunities means that disabled persons are ensured equal
participation in all areas of life, including cultural, recreational,
sports, and religious life.
Chapter III of the Standard Rules stipulates the various
implementation measures for States to follow. States are responsible
for:
- Collecting and disseminating information on the living conditions
of persons with disabilities (rule 13);
- Ensuring that disability aspects are included in all relevant
policy-making and national planning (rule 14);
- Creating the legal basis for measures to achieve the objectives of
full participation and equality for persons with disabilities (rule
15);
- Financing national programmes and measures to create equal
opportunities for persons with disabilities (rule 16);
- Establishing and strengthening national co-ordinating committees
to serve as a national focal point on disability matters (rule 17);
- Recognising the right of the organizations of persons with
disabilities to represent persons with disabilities at national,
regional and local levels (rule 18);
- Ensuring the adequate training of personnel involved in the
planning and provision of programmes and services concerning persons
with disabilities (rule 19);
- Continually monitoring and evaluating the implementation of
national programmes and services concerning the equalization of
opportunities for persons with disabilities (rule 20);
- Co-operate in and take measures for the improvement of the living
conditions of persons with disabilities in developing countries
(rule 21) and
- Participate actively in international co-operation concerning
policies for the equalization of opportunities for persons with
disabilities (rule 22).
The final chapter of the Standard Rules (chapter 4) describes a
monitoring mechanism designed to further the effective implementation of
the Rules. Paragraph 2 of Chapter 4 provides that the Rules are to be
monitored within the framework of the sessions of the Commission for
Social Development. In addition, a Special Rapporteur is to be appointed
to monitor the implementation of the Rules. The Special Rapporteur,
assisted by the Secretariat, shall prepare reports for submission to the
Commission for Social Development (paragraph 8) and provide advisory
services on the implementation and monitoring of the Rules (paragraph
6).
Rule 15 of Chapter III deals explicitly with legislation. It
provides: "States have a responsibility to create the legal basis
for measures to achieve the objectives of full participation and
equality for persons with disabilities."
Apart from specific United Nations resolutions on disability, two
major studies have influenced disability rights in the last two decades.
The first was a report entitled Principles, Guidelines and Guarantees
for the Protection of Persons Detained on Grounds of Mental Ill- Health
or Suffering from Mental Disorder (1986), prepared by Erica -Irene
A. Daes who was appointed Special Rapporteur by the Sub-Commission on
Prevention of Discrimination and protection of Minorities. In 1993,
Leandro Despouy a Special Rapporteur appointed by the Sub-Commission
prepared a report entitled Human Rights and Disabled Persons (1993).
This report examines human rights abuses in the area of disability and
look at certain human rights abuses as causes of disability.
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 organizations 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 United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and its efforts to
strengthen family and community resources to assist disabled
children in their natural environments
- The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
(UNHCR) and its work for disabled refugees
- The Office of the United Nations Disaster Relief Co-ordinator
(UNDRC) has advanced specific measures of disaster preparedness and
prevention for those already disabled and of the prevention of
permanent disability as a result of injury or treatment received at
the time of disaster
- The United Nations Centre for Human Settlements (HABITAT) with its
concerns about physical barriers and general access to the physical
environment.
The specialized agencies of the United Nations involved in promoting,
supporting and carrying out field activities have an important advisory
role to perform. The work of these agencies includes disability
presentation, nutrition, hygiene, education of children and adults,
vocational training and job placement.
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