Annex
Overview of recent policy and programme activities
I. Introduction
1. General Assembly resolution 56/115 of 19 December 2001 called upon Governments and
intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations to promote international norms and
standards relating to persons with disabilities, undertake public information campaigns
and direct special attention to specific populations of persons with disabilities,
including children with disabilities, girls and women with disabilities and people with
developmental and psychiatric disabilities. Thirty-two Governments and several
intergovernmental and United Nations system organizations submitted reports on action
taken to implement Assembly resolution 56/115.[a]
II. Activities of Governments
2. Operative paragraph 4 of resolution 56/115 encourages Governments to take concrete
measures to further the equalization of opportunities for persons with disabilities
“by focusing on accessibility, health, education, social services, ... safety nets,
employment and sustainable livelihoods”.
A. Accessibility
3. Many Governments reported that the removal of physical barriers and the creation of
non-handicapping environments is a major element of national plans, policies and
legislation. Several Governments enacted legislation and adopted technical standards on
accessibility to buildings, public facilities and transportation services. These include
China, which established a design code and technical standards on accessibility; Cyprus,
which amended its Street and Building Regulations Law to remove physical barriers in
public roads and facilities; Finland, which issued in 2001 national land-use guidelines
and an Act on Passenger Transport; Greece, which uses its general construction regulation
to improve accessibility to public transport; Malta and the Netherlands, which use their
respective equal opportunity acts to promote accessibility for all; Mexico, which adopted
in 2001 the Institutional Programme for Accessibility of Public Buildings and
Infrastructure, which includes recommendations on accessibility and barrier-free
facilities, as does the Accessibility Law of the Philippines; Maldives, which includes
references to accessibility and persons with disabilities in building codes and
regulations; Senegal, which is incorporating disability and accessibility considerations
in revisions to urban planning codes; and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern
Ireland, which extended the right to public transport in its Disability Discrimination
Act, 1995 (Chapter 50).
4. Some Governments use the budget to promote accessible environments. The 2000 budget
law of Italy provides financing for non-profit organizations to plan buildings for persons
with disabilities. Other Governments prepare plans and targets to promote accessibility:
Hungary targeted improving accessibility in public buildings, with emphasis on health
care, education and training, and social services; Norway set targets for the period
2005-2012 to provide total access to buildings and public spaces, information and
communication services, and public transport; technical requirements in Slovakia and the
National Action Plan for disability policy in Sweden aim to increase accessibility in
public buildings and spaces. Several Governments organized public information campaigns:
Kenya used information campaigns combined with regulation to promote disability-friendly
buildings and public facilities; Pakistan directs special attention to the design of
accessible buildings and spaces in the public and private sectors; and in Switzerland a
popular initiative on equal rights for disabled persons and a governmental bill now in
process aim to guarantee access to buildings, public transportation and housing.
5. Efforts to promote accessible information and communication technologies involve
training national personnel, financial support, enacting legislation and drafting
technical standards. Action to promote accessibility in alternative communications by
Hungary includes support for the provision and training of sign-language interpreters.
Trinidad and Tobago includes sign-language interpretation in daily news telecasts, and
Portugal initiated Teletext services for people with visual impairments. In Spain, Public
Laws 15 and 34 of July 2001 include measures to eliminate barriers in audio-visual
products and the Internet. In connection with programmes established by Poland to support
higher education, the Pegasus Programme makes it possible for persons with disabilities to
obtain interest-free loans to purchase, inter alia, computer equipment. Thailand
established an Information Technology Subcommittee for Persons with Disabilities in 1999
and is collaborating with the Government of Japan to establish in Bangkok the Asia-Pacific
Development Centre on Disability, scheduled to open in 2004.
B. Health and social services
6. Governments reported on a range of health and social services, with special emphasis
on preventing disabling conditions, promoting inclusive education, rehabilitation and
initiatives to support independent living for persons with disabilities. Government policy
in Cyprus, Jordan and the Philippines focuses on the provision of social and medical
rehabilitation and care; the focus in Hungary is on medical treatment and research in
support of rehabilitation, prevention and the social integration of persons with
disabilities. The Primary Health Care Act of Finland focuses on preventive measures,
including health education and medical and vocational rehabilitation. The National
Programme of Health 2001-2006 of Mexico focuses on the development of prevention and
rehabilitation and initiated a national disability registry. Senegal is developing a
national programme on community-based rehabilitation. Pakistan provides medical care for
persons with disabilities and initiated action to eradicate polio. In the United States of
America, Supreme Court decision Olmstead vs. L.C. (98-536) found that the
unnecessary segregation of individuals with disabilities in institutions may constitute
discrimination based on disability, and ruled that the Americans with Disabilities Act (PL
101-336) may require government agencies to provide community-based services for
individuals with disabilities rather than place them in institutions.
7. Many Governments provided information on measures to prevent disabling conditions.
Cambodia incorporated prevention strategies into its primary health policies and
programmes and is developing rehabilitation services in collaboration with the
non-governmental community. Prevention and treatment of persons with mental disabilities
are being addressed in 551 counties in China. Policies of both Italy and Norway focus on
the prevention of disabling conditions, diagnosis and education; Italy provides support
for families with severely disabled members. Maldives is conducting a public awareness
programme on iodine deficiency and has initiated programmes to provide vitamin A
supplements to children. Prevention measures in Thailand include the establishment of
community health-care centres and programmes of immunization against polio, rubella
(German measles), tetanus and meningitis.
8. Many Governments reported on measures to provide services to enable persons with
disabilities to live as independently as possible in their communities; these include
policy initiatives on income maintenance and safety nets, and specific programmes and
institutions. Switzerland revised federal legislation on disability insurance to improve
opportunities for independent living for persons with disabilities; the disability pension
programme in Sweden will be changed in January 2003 to promote the independence of persons
with disabilities; and monthly pension plans in Brazil provide benefits to persons with
disabilities who are unable to work or are living in poverty. Rehabilitation services in
Spain are based on a constitutional mandate and include medical rehabilitation, health and
social services, and ancillary benefits for persons with disabilities. Finland initiated
an assistive technology project to improve staff training and develop new models of health
and social services. The Centres for Recovery and Physical and Social Rehabilitation of
Greece provide rehabilitation services and promote social inclusion and independent living
for persons with disabilities. Assisted living services in Malta have moved from
large-scale institutions to small-scale day centres for persons with intellectual
disabilities. The Republic of Moldova established the National Scientific-Practical Centre
of Neurology and Neurosurgery in 2001 to support independent living for persons with
disabilities. Maldives provides assistive devices and financial support for financially
disadvantaged persons with disabilities. Since 1999, Slovakia has been providing social
care and financial assistance for citizens with serious disabilities.
C. Employment and sustainable livelihoods
9. A basic trend among reporting Governments is the integration of persons with
disabilities into regular labour markets, which is implemented through vocational training
and quotas on the supply side, and the provision of financial and tax incentives to
employers of persons with disabilities on the demand side. Brazil, the Republic of Moldova
and Pakistan established quotas of 2 to 5 per cent for employment of persons with
disabilities in regular labour markets. National legislation in Cyprus (Law on Disabled
Persons (2000)), Italy (Law 68 of 1999) and Greece (Law 2643/98) promote the employment of
and provide protection for persons with disabilities in labour markets. Hungary enacted
provisions to protect persons with disabilities from discrimination and to remove
obstacles to their employment; Malta encourages employers to provide placements for
employees who become disabled; and the Netherlands Parliament adopted legislation in 2002
on the employment of persons with disabilities. Mexico is increasing environmental
accessibility, identifying employment opportunities and promoting the integration of
persons with disabilities into regular labour markets. Vocational rehabilitation policies
in Norway are combined with measures to promote equal opportunities for employment for
persons with disabilities, including supported placements and work at home.
10. Several Governments discussed the role of financial assistance and incentives in
promoting the employment of persons with disabilities. China adopted policies to reduce
taxes for enterprises that employ persons with disabilities. Portugal, Spain and Thailand
enacted policies, legislation and programmes to promote the integration of persons with
disabilities into the workforce through financial incentives for employers. Starting in
2003 Sweden will provide financial benefits for improvements in rehabilitation and
employment opportunities for persons with disabilities. By 2004 the United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Northern Ireland plans to extend coverage under the Disability
Discrimination Act, 1995 (Chapter 50) to small-sized firms, law enforcement and other
areas where employment opportunities have traditionally been limited for persons with
disabilities. In Poland the State Fund for Rehabilitation of Disabled Persons provides
financing to targeted programmes addressed to persons with disabilities and employers,
organizations and institutions working on their behalf.
11. To enable persons with disabilities to obtain gainful employment and exercise their
human rights, the Governments of Cambodia, China, Hungary, Kenya, Pakistan, the
Philippines and Thailand have established training and rehabilitation centres or
employment-related programmes. Both Finland and Hungary promote regular employment through
rehabilitation and vocational training. The Worker Training Scholarship Programme of
Mexico supports training for persons with disabilities who are unemployed through
incentive-oriented quotas or reserved employment. Local non-governmental organizations in
Maldives conduct training in basic computer skills for persons with disabilities. In 2000
the Philippines began a programme for people with disabilities to gain access to regular
employment and training opportunities, from which an estimated 18,500 persons have
benefited to date. Thailand established in 1998 an independent living training programme
at the Sirindhorn National Medical Rehabilitation Centre and observed in 2002 the Year of
Employment Opportunity for Persons with Disabilities.
D. Promoting inclusive societies
12. Governmental efforts to promote inclusive societies take such forms as the creation
of national plans or programmes having a strong governmental involvement, the
commissioning of independent studies and the establishment of centralized bodies or
coordinating mechanisms. Many commented on the contribution of the Standard Rules on the
Equalization of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities in the formulation and
evaluation of policies and plans. Cyprus established the Rehabilitation Council in the
Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance, the central body for disability issues.
Disability policy and legislation in Finland focus on promoting independent living and
equal opportunities for persons with disabilities; the State Council on Disability is an
advisory body for ministries and public institutions. Hungary established a consultative
body of Government pursuant to Act XXVI of 1998, on the rights of and equal opportunities
for disabled persons. The National Council for Protection of Persons with Disabilities of
Jordan, established under the Special Law for Disability Protection (Law 12 of 1993),
provides protection and training programmes for persons with disabilities and supports
private-sector and non-governmental organizations. In 2001 Mexico created, in the
President’s Office, the Cabinet-level Office for the Promotion and Social Integration
of Persons with Disabilities and established the Consultative Council for the Integration
of Persons with Disabilities to mainstream decision-making and coordinate public policies
on disability. Norway provides follow-up on disability policies and aims to strengthen
inter-ministerial cooperation on the Government’s Plan of Action for people with
disabilities. In Trinidad and Tobago the National Coordinating Committee on Disability
advises the Government on matters related to disability. In 1999, the United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Northern Ireland established the Independent Disability Rights Task
Force, which published “From exclusion to inclusion”, a basis for policy and
programme initiatives.
13. Non-discrimination and the promotion of equal opportunities are the principal focus
in legislative initiatives reported by Governments, including the equal opportunity acts
adopted by Malta and Trinidad and Tobago, which protect persons from discrimination on the
basis of disability; an amendment to the Constitution of Switzerland eliminates
discrimination on the basis of disability. Kenya is reviewing its Constitution to ensure
that disability issues are presented appropriately; and general legislation is being
drafted by Senegal on medical rehabilitation, education, training and employment for the
disabled. The 1997 Constitution of Thailand includes specific provisions for persons with
disabilities and eliminated restrictions on the exercise of their rights. The Americans
with Disabilities Act (PL 101-336) of the United States of America aims to eliminate
barriers to the participation of persons with disabilities in social and economic life;
the New Freedom Initiative (2001) of the United States is part of nationwide efforts to
remove barriers to community living for people with disabilities.
14. Other efforts involving strategies, plans and programmes to further social
integration include, in Lithuania, the National Programme on the Social Integration of
Persons with Disabilities for 2003-2012; in Portugal, the National Plan for Equality; in
the Republic of Moldova, the National Programme of Rehabilitation and Social Protection
for and Integration of the Disabled, 2000-2005; in the Philippines, the Plan of Action,
1993-2002; and in Spain, the Plan of Action for Persons with Disabilities (1997-2002).
Brazil has introduced laws and programmes on social inclusion over the past three years,
focusing on (a) integration into the public sector (Federal Edict No. 3298/1999;
Multi-year Plan 2000-2003) and (b) establishing norms for the promotion and protection of
the fundamental human rights of all Brazilians (National Programme for Human Rights).
Programmes in Thailand incorporate the disability perspective. with emphasis on education,
employment, rehabilitation and medical services. The Russian Federation targeted the
following areas for policy development: strengthening the role of the State in medical and
social services; supporting the production of technical devices for rehabilitation and
upgrading disability analysis and information systems at the State level; and supporting
organizations of persons with disabilities, including support for the formation of unions
at all levels of society. In 2001, Slovakia approved a system-oriented approach to
improving the living conditions of persons with disabilities. In 2000, to promote social
inclusion, Sweden ratified the bills on a national action plan for disability policy, and
on the Social Services Act and the Education Act.
15. Both China and Maldives formulated national strategies to target persons with
disabilities who have special needs. Under its Ninth (1996-2000) and Tenth (2001-2005)
Five-Year Plans, China promoted work for persons with disabilities in line with national
economic and social development planning.
E. Public information campaigns
16. Governments reported that public awareness activities range from a single
day’s observance, such as 3 December, the International Day of Disabled Persons, to
the proclamation of a special year or a decade. Italy and Mexico launched in 2002 an
awareness-raising campaign on the rights of persons with disabilities and obligations
related to employment. Poland plans to organize a series of national events during the
2003 observance of the European Year of People with Disabilities. Observance of the Day in
Thailand included recognition of the efforts of companies to promote employment for
persons with disabilities. Theme-specific campaigns include public information activities
in Cambodia focusing on accessibility, while Portugal and Slovakia focus on equal rights,
employability and the social integration of persons with disabilities. The
non-governmental community cooperated with information campaigns in Cambodia, Pakistan and
Maldives. In Norway, information policies aimed at ensuring access for every resident and
enterprise to information on public sector activities and participation in the democratic
process.
F. Education
17. Government reports indicate the trend towards equalization of opportunities for
persons with disabilities in mainstream educational systems. Governments reporting on
specific legislation on integrating children with disabilities into mainstream education
include Cyprus (Law 113(I) 99 on Special Education), Finland (Basic Education Act),
Hungary (Act on Equal Opportunities), Slovakia (New University Act (2001)) and the United
Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (Special Education Needs and Disability Act
2001). In Malta, the Ministerial Committee addressed children’s special educational
needs, which resulted in the establishment of a system for including parental views. Both
Mexico and Norway have reported on policy-level commitments to integrate children and
youth with disabilities into the educational mainstream. China directs special attention
to integrating students with visual or auditory impairments and strengthening the
management of special education schools. Kenya established educational assessment centres
in each district to ensure the placement of children with disabilities in an appropriate
educational institution. The National Institute of Special Education in Pakistan has
developed a uniform policy on admission, placement, curriculum development and evaluation.
The Russian Federation has taken specific actions to provide formal education and to
integrate children with disabilities into the general school system. The Year of Education
for Persons with Disabilities in Thailand in 1999 prompted general schools to provide
facilities for persons with disabilities.
18. The accommodation of students with special needs in mainstream education may
involve training special education instructors and orientation for students with
disabilities. Hungary provides special education mainly through the National Institute of
Vocational Training, which trains teachers and vocational trainers. The Ministry of
Culture and Development of Jordan provides schools for children with visual, hearing and
physical disabilities with education and training specialists; both governmental and
private-sector centres have developed resources to train and educate persons with mental
disabilities. Pakistan developed a programme to train special education teachers. In
Spain, practical training in the private sector and programmes of transition are promoting
the social integration of persons with disabilities.
19. Some Governments reported on the role of financial assistance in supporting
education for persons with disabilities. In Italy Law 69 of March 2000 increased financial
allocations to the School Integration Fund for 2000 and 2001. Senegal introduced a bill to
provide scholarships and reduced administrative fees for students with disabilities who
are in need. The National Education Act (1999) of Thailand entitles students with
disabilities to 12 years of basic education at no charge.
20. To accommodate the alternative communication needs of deaf persons, Governments
reported on efforts to promote a national sign language. Brazil’s Public Law No.
10.436 of 2002 made Brazilian sign language an official language. The Constitution of
Portugal protects and validates Portuguese sign language as a form of cultural expression
and an educational instrument for persons with disabilities. A Thai national sign language
was adopted.
G. Activities of intergovernmental organizations, other entities and the United
Nations system
21. Regional intergovernmental organizations and the regional commissions of the United
Nations undertook a number of actions to promote awareness and build capacities for the
full participation and equality of persons with disabilities. Member States of the United
Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) proclaimed in May
2002 the Second Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons.[b] The
African Union proclaimed 2000-2009 the African Decade of Persons with Disabilities to
promote the full participation, equality and empowerment of people with disabilities in
Africa. The Arab Decade of Disabled Persons, 2003-2012, has commenced following decisions
taken at the twenty-first session of the Council of Arab Ministers for Social Affairs of
the League of Arab States. The Council of the European Union proclaimed 2003 the European
Year of People with Disabilities to highlight the barriers and discrimination that persons
with disabilities face and to improve the lives of those who have a disability.
22. The International Committee of the Red Cross will focus during the period 2000-2005
on (a) developing project guidelines for treatment of amputees, (b) defining a standard
level of training and developing a training package for national personnel and (c)
improving and standardizing affordable raw materials, including prosthetic components.
23. Activities of the United Nations system to promote the equalization of
opportunities for persons with disabilities included action to build national capacities;
further development of methodologies for the collection, analysis and dissemination of
data on disability; support to improve the educational outcomes of persons with
disabilities; promoting accessible information and communication technologies; training
persons with disabilities for regular employment and sustainable livelihoods; and
promoting strategies, policies and programmes to eliminate barriers to the participation
of persons with disabilities in the mainstream. The Statistics Division of the United
Nations Secretariat continued the development of a web site to disseminate data and
statistics on disability (http://unstats.un.org/unsd/disability/), published Guidelines
and Principles for the Development of Disability Statistics [c] and
organized regional training workshops on disability statistics. The Office of the United
Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), in cooperation with the Special
Rapporteur on Disability of the Commission for Social Development, examined measures to
strengthen the protection and monitoring of the human rights of persons with disabilities.
OHCHR drafted a long-term plan for integrating the disability perspective into the
activities of treaty monitoring bodies. Accessibility to the United Nations Secretariat is
addressed in the report of the Secretary-General on the capital master plan (A/57/285);
interim renovations focus on wheelchair accessibility and signage and lighting for
restrooms, elevators and public areas; the public tour route at Headquarters is now
accessible to persons with disabilities. The Department of Public Information and its
network of United Nations information centres and information services provided media
outreach on work of the United Nations related to persons with disabilities. The United
Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean collaborated with
countries on the design of the round of population and housing censuses for 2000, which
included recommendations on the collection of data on disability. The Economic and Social
Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) focused on promoting self-reliance and employment of
persons with disabilities, directing special attention to Braille computer training and
community-based rehabilitation. The expert meeting on disability measurement for ESCWA
countries (Cairo, 1-5 June 2002) noted the need to improve the quality of regional
disability data, making appropriate use of the World Health Organization (WHO)
International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health [d]
and building on substantive contributions of the Washington Group on Disability
Measurement. ESCAP directed special attention to self-help initiatives of persons with
disabilities, relating to, inter alia, accessible environments, public transport and
services, and strengthening the capacities of self-help organizations and organizations of
women with disabilities. ESCAP supports the development of national disability legislation
and awareness-raising measures, with special emphasis on the digital divide affecting
persons with disabilities. The high-level intergovernmental meeting that marked the
conclusion of the Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons, 1993-2002 (Otsu, Shiga,
Japan, 25-28 October 2002) adopted the Biwako Millennium Framework for Action Disability
to guide action towards an inclusive, barrier-free, rights-based society for persons with
disabilities in Asia and the Pacific.
24. The question of children with disabilities is identified as priority in General
Assembly resolution 56/115. Actions of the United Nations Children’s Fund to prevent
childhood disability include addressing vitamin A and iodine deficiency disorders,
providing polio vaccinations, preventing measles and eliminating guinea worm. The Office
of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) focuses on the integration of
refugee children and adolescents with disabilities into mainstream society through
inclusive education and community-based rehabilitation. UNHCR issued guidelines on
disability and produced an “Action for the rights of children” resource pack.
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA)
promotes the human rights of Palestinian refugees with disabilities through skills
development and integration into the community. UNRWA staff training includes improving
curriculum, school buildings and equipment and educational outcomes of children with
disabilities.
25. The International Labour Organization (ILO) contributed to the equalization of
opportunities in the areas of vocational training and employment promotion, and translated
the ILO Code of Practice on Managing Disability in the Workplace (2001) into 10 languages.
Activities of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations focus on
improving income-generating capacities, providing emergency assistance to reintegrate
war-disabled persons and other persons with disabilities and continued development of the
web site for its database on the rural disabled (http://www.fao.org/sd/ppdirect/rurald/).
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization strengthened
capacities for inclusive education in terms of the production of technical materials for
training staff and educational professionals, literacy training using Braille, developing
national sign languages and related systems for alternative communication, and organizing
subregional workshops for teacher training in special education. Activities of WHO focus
on preventing causes of disability, supporting community-based rehabilitation, and
promoting social inclusion and equalization of opportunities for persons with
disabilities. In 2001 WHO published the International Classification of Functioning,
Disability and Health. The observance of World Health Day (7 April) in 2001 focused on
promoting and protecting the rights of people with mental disabilities. The World Bank
addresses disability issues in its lending operations to support the development of
inclusive community-based programmes, provide social investment funds and support research
on policies and strategies for the education and social integration of persons with
disabilities. The International Civil Aviation Organization developed international
Standards and Recommended Practices on access to air services and airport facilities for
elderly persons and persons with disabilities; the latest recommended practice is included
in the tenth edition of
annex 9 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation. The International
Telecommunication Union aims to ensure that people with disabilities have access to
innovative new technologies and is currently investigating improvements to achieve greater
accessibility.
H. Activities of non-governmental organizations
26. General Assembly resolution 56/115 envisages the active participation of the
non-governmental community, in cooperation with Governments, to further the equalization
of opportunities for persons with disabilities. The International Disability Alliance is a
network of seven international non-governmental disability organizations: Disabled
People’s International, Inclusion International, Rehabilitation International, the
World Blind Union, the World Federation of the Deaf, the World Federation of the
Deaf-Blind and the World Network of Users and Survivors of Psychiatry. Activities of the
Alliance include (a) lobbying United Nations bodies and agencies on common issues and
concerns and (b) strengthening the voices of persons with disabilities in international
forums and networks of disability organizations. The Sixth World Assembly of Disabled
People’s International (Sapporo, Japan, 15-18 October 2002) adopted the Sapporo
Declaration and Sapporo Platform on the rights of persons with disabilities. Inclusion
International is an advocate for equal rights for persons with intellectual disabilities.
In Romania, Inclusion International and its members contributed to the drafting of the
National Disability Policy, drawing upon the Standard Rules. Rehabilitation International,
a worldwide network of people with disabilities, service providers and governmental
agencies working to improve quality of life for disabled people and their families,
collaborated with regional initiatives including the Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled
Persons and the African Decade of Disabled Persons, and promoted the implementation of the
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Persons with
Disabilities of the Organization of American States. The World Blind Union, which works to
achieve the full participation of blind and partially sighted persons, cooperated with the
International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness and the “Vision 2020: the right
to sight” initiative of WHO, and with ILO in determining the unemployment rate among
blind and partially sighted people. Its work also dealt with the protection of the rights
of the blind in armed conflicts; education; and the right to Braille as a written
language. The World Federation of the Deaf participated in a number of recent United
Nations activities concerning the rights of children with disabilities and their
education, as well as activities to support the Asian and African Decades. National and
regional secretariats of the World Federation coordinated and attended a number of
seminars, such as the first South American Regional Interpreter Training Seminar (Uruguay,
November 2001), the first Latin American Deaf Women’s Seminar (Cuba, May 2002) and
the African Sign Language Seminar (United Republic of Tanzania). Issues of concern for the
World Network of Users and Survivors of Psychiatry include the right to rehabilitation;
legal reforms addressing self-determination and autonomy; legal protection and
international instruments; poverty and social exclusion; lack of financial and other
support; housing; involuntary confinement or detention; and the use of punitive and
restrictive law instead of treatment.
Return to top
Notes
a Brazil, Cambodia, China, Cyprus, Finland, Greece, Hungary,
Italy, Jordan, Kenya, Lithuania, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, the Netherlands, Norway,
Pakistan, the Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Maldives, the Republic of Moldova, the
Russian Federation, Senegal, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Trinidad and
Tobago, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United States of
America submitted replies to note verbale DESA/DIS02/3 of 24 September 2004.
b See ESCAP resolution 58/4 of 22 May 2002, “Promoting
an inclusive, barrier-free and rights-based society for people with disabilities in the
Asian and Pacific region in the twenty-first century”.
c ST/ESA/STAT/SER.Y/10 (United Nations publication, Sales
No. E.01.XVII.15).
d Geneva, World Health Organization, 2001.
|
