The theme for the observance of the International Day in 1998 at United Nations
Headquarters was "Arts, Culture and Independent Living".
The theme reflects a number of priority concerns of the World
Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons, its "equalization of
opportunities" objective in particular.
The World Programme of Action urges that Governments, which have not already
done so, ensure that persons with disabilities have opportunities to utilize their
creative, artistic and intellectual potential to the enrichment of society as a whole.
The World Programme encourages Governments: to provide services to enable
persons with disabilities to live as independently as possible; to promote opportunities
for persons with disabilities to establish, develop and manage such services; and to adopt
policies and establish structures and services that ensure equal opportunities for
productive and gainful employment by people with disabilities in open markets.
International
Day of Disabled Persons