Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Action in Development

Statement by the International Labour Office (ILO)

The aim of the International Day of Disabled Persons, established by the UN General Assembly, is to increase awareness and promote an understanding of disability issues, and to mobilize support for the dignity, rights and equality of opportunity of children, youth and adults with disabilities in society.

This year's theme "Rights of persons with disabilities: action in development" spotlights the need to address disability issues and to ensure the full and effective participation of persons with disabilities in economic and social development initiatives, particularly in developing countries. It highlights the basic principle that the enjoyment of fundamental rights and freedoms by women and men with disabilities on equal basis with others is essential for achieving the goals of development.

The UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), adopted in 2000 by the Heads of State and Government of UN member countries, set specific development targets to be achieved by the year 2015. However, none of the Goals make reference to the precarious situation of persons with disabilities, nor provide for the inclusion of persons with disabilities in development efforts. It has now been determined by the World Bank and other international organizations that many of the Goals cannot be achieved without addressing the needs of disabled persons, especially women and children.

In recognition of this shortcoming and in conformity with MDG Goal 8 "Partnerships", a Global Partnership for Disability and Development (GPPD) was initiated by the World Bank to combat the social and economic exclusion and impoverishment of people with disabilities and their families in developing countries. The GPDD is working to increase awareness and understanding, and to promote the inclusion of disability issues and the participation of persons with disabilities in mainstream economic and social development efforts of developing country governments, bilateral and multilateral donors, development banks, UN agencies, development NGOs, disabled persons' organizations, NGOs working in the field of disability, foundations, public and private enterprises, and other partner organizations, both internationally and nationally. The ILO participates in the GDPP and is a member of the GPDD Coordinating Task Force. More information about the GPDD may be obtained at: http://worldbank.org/disability/GPDD

The ILO Skills and Employability Department is also working directly with governments, employers', workers' and disabled persons' organizations in selected countries of Africa and Asia/Pacific to improve policies and legislation concerning the training and employment of women and men with disabilities. Made possible through the ILO-Development Cooperation Ireland Partnership Programme, technical support for the formulation of effective employment policies and legislation is underway or planned in Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and in Cambodia, China, Fiji, Mongolia, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. More information about the work and publications of the ILO Skills and Employability Department may be obtained at: http://www.ilo.org/employment/disability

There is increasing international recognition that the widespread discrimination and lack of opportunity faced by women and men with disabilities in virtually every country of the world is due to a failure to respect their rights as equal citizens. The ILO is a rights-based organization and its international labour standards, especially Convention No. 159, "Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Disabled Persons)", provide for equality of opportunity and treatment in the training and employment of persons with disabilities. To promote recognition of these rights, the ILO is actively contributing to the work of the special Ad Hoc Committee established by the UN General Assembly to draft a new UN Convention on the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities. Information about the work of the Ad Hoc Committee may be obtained at: http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/enable/rights/adhoccom.htm

In 2006, the ILO Employment Sector will be making additional efforts to ensure that the rights of persons with disabilities, as well as disability issues in general and the participation of women and men with disabilities, are reflected in its skills development, enterprise development, and employment strategies work, and in the work of its partners.

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