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United Nations
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Knowing the numbers of persons with disabilities in a country and monitoring equality of opportunity and achievements made in terms of economic, social, political and cultural rights requires an enormous amount of current and reliable data. |
In order to give a more perceptive understanding of the relations between society at large and persons with disabilities, the World Programme of Action identified the need to undertake studies focusing on the socio-cultural aspects of disability. It suggests that the results of such studies will make it possible to propose approaches suited to the realities of the human environment.7
Notwithstanding the relevant research data that may be obtained through national statistical offices and census bureau, the World Programme of Action noted that a household survey programme designed to collect information about disability issues is more likely to produce useful results than a general census of the population.8 In addition, it called for the development of social indicators relating to the education of persons with disabilities to assist the analysis of problems in access to education and plan programmes accordingly.9
Adopted at the end of the United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons, the Standard Rules on the Equalization of Opportunities for Disability10 also make specific reference to the production and dissemination of disability statistics and research. Rule 13, entitled "Information and research", calls for the collection of gender-specific statistics and other information concerning the living standards of persons with disabilities in conjunction with national censuses and household surveys including questions on programmes and services and their use.
In addition, the rule calls for:
The issues of monitoring and evaluation and the centrality of data for these processes are addressed by the World Programme of Action, according to which monitoring and evaluation should be carried out at periodic intervals at the international and regional levels, as well as at the national level. It is essential that assessment of the situation relating to persons with disabilities be carried out periodically and that a baseline be established to measure developments.11
The most important criteria for evaluating the World Programme of Action are suggested by the theme of the International Year of Disabled Persons, "Full participation and equality." |
Specifically, the World Programme of Action calls for:
At the regional level, the World Programme of Action requests the regional commissions to:
A notable example of programme monitoring is provided by the Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons, 1993-2002. Governments and the non-governmental community have established targets and mechanisms to review the progress made and obstacles encountered implementing the goals of the Decade. To this end, a regional review was held at the Meeting of Senior Officials to Mark the Mid-Point of the Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons (Seoul, 26-29 September 1997). As a follow-up, the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) will hold a meeting on the theme "Meeting the targets of the Asian and Pacific Decade for Disabled Persons, and equalization of opportunities for persons with disabilities in the ESCAP Region" (Bangkok, 22-24 November 1999).
6 World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons, para. 186.
7 Ibid., para. 184.
8 Ibid., para. 186.
9 Ibid., para. 184.
10 General Assembly resolution 48/96, annex, adopted in 1993.
11 World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons, para. 194.
12 Ibid., para. 195.
13 Ibid., para. 194.
14 Ibid., para. 195.
15 Ibid.
16 Ibid., para. 196.
17 Ibid., para. 177.
18 Ibid.
19 Ibid.
20 Ibid.
21 Ibid.