UN Human Rights Treaties

UNITED NATIONS

A

General Assembly

Distr.
GENERAL
A/39/191
12 October 1984
ORIGINAL: ENGLISH

Thirty-ninth session Agenda item 91
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE WORLD PROGRAMME OF ACTION CONCERNING DISABLED PERSONS
Report of the Secretary-General
CONTENTS
Paragraphs Page
I. INTRODUCTION 1-6 3
II. IMPLEMENTATION OF THE WORLD PROGRAMME OF ACTION CONCERNING
DISABLED PERSONS 7-95 4
A. Distribution and promotion of the World Programme of
Action concerning Disabled Persons 8-11 4
B. National activities for equalization of opportunities
for disabled persons and for disability prevention and
rehabilitation 12 - 48 4
C. Measures undertaken by the United Nations system 49-74 13
D. Organizations of disabled persons 75-77 19
E. Formulation of national policies and programmes 78-79 19
F. United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons 80-85 20
G. National days and weeks for the disabled 86 22
H. Human resources development 87 - 89 22
84-24030 1312m (E)

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CONTENTS (continued)
Paragraphs Page
I. The International Youth Year 90-92 2
J. Revision of the World Health Organization definitions . 93-95 23
in. UNITED NATIONS TRUST FUND FOR THE INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF
DISABLED PERSONS 96 - 10S 23
A. Background 96-97 23
B. Designation and classification 98 - 100 24
C. Terms of reference 101-102 24

D. Administration of the Trust Fund 103 - 104

25

E. Priority areas for support by the Trust Fund 105 25

F.

Activities of the Trust Fund 106 - 108 27

IV. EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR DISABLED PERSONS WITHIN THE
UNITED NATIONS SYSTEM AND ACCESS TO ITS BUILDINGS,
FACILITIES AND INFORMATION SOURCES 109 - 118 28
A. Employment opportunities for disabled persons ........ 110 - 114 28

B.

Access to United Nations buildings and facilities ... 115 - 116 29

C. Access to information sources 117 - 118 30
V. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 119 - 126 30
A. Implementation of the World Programme of Action
concerning Disabled Persons 119
B. The Trust Fund 120 - 124 30
C. Employment and accessibility for disabled persons
within the United Nations system 125 - 126 31
ANNEXES
I. Statement of income and expenditures of the Trust Fund for the biennium
1982-1983 ended 31 December 1983 33
II. Projects financed by the United Nations Trust Fund for the
International Year of Disabled Persons 35

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I. INTRODUCTION
1. The General Assembly, in its resolution 37/53 of 3 December 1982, requested the Secretary-General to report to the Assembly at its thirty-ninth session on the implementation of the World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons (which had been adopted by the Assembly in its resolution 37/52 of 3 December 1982) In that resolution, the General Assembly also urged all organs, organizations and agencies of the United Nations system to undertake new measures or expedite those already under way to improve employment opportunities for disabled persons within those bodies at all levels and to improve access to their buildings and facilities and to their information sources, and requested the Secretary-General to submit a report on those measures to the Assembly at its thirty-ninth session.
2. In its resolution 38/28 of 22 November 1983, the General Assembly requested the Secretary-General to include in his reports to the Assembly on the implementation of the World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons a section on the activities of the United Nations Trust Fund for the International Year of Disabled Persons.
3. Pursuant to the above-mentioned resolution, the Secretary-General, through a note verbale of 22 February 1984, invited Governments to submit information on the implementation of the Programme of Action, and to comment on matters related to the Trust Fund. Organs, organizations and agencies of the United Nations system, as well as relevant non-governmental organizations, were also invited to submit such information and to include information on matters related to employment opportunities and accessibility for disabled persons within the United Nations system.
4. As at 27 September 1984, replies had been received from the following Governments: Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Bulgaria, the Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic, Canada, Chile, China, Cuba, Cyprus, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Finland, German Democratic Republic, Germany, Federal Republic of, Ghana, Greece, Guyana, Haiti, Iraq, Ireland, Japan, Kenya, Kuwait, Mongolia, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Oman, Panama, Philippines, Portugal, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Thailand, Turkey, Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the United States of America, Uruguay, Venezuela and Yugoslavia.
5. As far as bodies of the United Nations system were concerned, replies were received from the following: Economic Commission for Europe (ECE), Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), Office of the United Nations Disaster Relief Co-ordinator (UNDRO), United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), International Labour Organisation (ILO), Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the World Health Organization (WHO).

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6. The following international non-governmental organizations also responded:
Council of World Organizations Interested in the Handicapped, Disabled Peoples'
International, the International League of Societies for Persons with Mental
Handicap, Rehabilitation International and the World Federation for Mental Health.
II. IMPLEMENTATION OF THE WORLD PROGRAMME OF ACTION CONCERNING DISABLED PERSONS
7. This section of the present report has been organized to reflect the specific
concerns of the General Assembly as indicated in its resolution 37/53.
A. Distribution and promotion of the World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons
8. The General Assembly, in paragraph 1 of resolution 37/53, requested the Secretary-General to assist in the early implementation of the World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons by ensuring its wide distribution and promotion. Subsequently, the World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons, to which was annexed a detailed subject-index for easy reference, was printed in booklet form in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish by the Department of Public Information of the United Nations Secretariat and has been widely disseminated to Governments, bodies of the United Nations system, non-governmental organizations, disabled persons' organizations, depository libraries, specialists in the field of disability, the media and the public.
9. In addition, the Secretariat has also distributed a note on the proclamation of the United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons, 1983-1992, and on the adoption of the World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons; a brochure on Improving communication about people with disabilities: Recommendations of a United Nations seminar and a poster for the United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons, 1983-1992.
10. The regional commissions assisted in the dissemination of information concerning the World Programme of Action. In particular, the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific published a special issue of its Social Development Newsletter dedicated to the United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons.
11. Several Member States have published translations of the Programme of Action into national languages. The Programme of Action has also been transcribed into English Braille by the World Council for the Welfare of the Blind.
B. National activities for equalization of opportunities for disabled persons and for disability prevention and rehabilitation
12. In paragraph 2 of resolution 37/53, Member States were requested to develop
plans for the equalization of opportunities for disabled persons, as well as for
prevention and rehabilitation, and thereby ensure early implementation of the World
Programme for Action concerning Disabled Persons.

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I. Adoption of national plans and collection of benchmark data
13. Several Member States reported the adoption of national disability plans, while others referred to future programmes to be carried out in favour of disabled persons.
14. For example, Australia is engaged in implementing and expanding a national
rehabilitation service, initiating Legislation on prevention of disability and
establishing a special placement scheme for disabled persons. In addition, the
Handicapped Persons Welfare Programme in Australia is being carried out, including
wide-ranging consultations with persons with disabilities. The Byelorussian Soviet
Socialist Republic is implementing a broad programme of measures to improve the
welfare of disabled persons during the period 1984-1990. A National Rehabilitation
Plan is being prepared in Chile. In China, development of special education
programmes will be included in the Five-Year Plan. Cuba has created institutional
services for disabled persons, including children with mental handicaps and persons
with sensorial disabilities, and plans to implement a wide programme of prevention
measures, as part of the free national health system. Czechoslovakia has adopted a
long-term disability programme for the seventh and eighth Five-Year Plan periods.
Greece is setting up a joint programme of assistance to disabled persons, including
a fund to promote the employment of disabled persons, and country-wide surveys on
categories and problems of disabled persons are being carried out. Guyana has
established a National Rehabilitation Committee, with branches in several areas of the country.
15. Ireland has published a Green Paper on the development of services to disabled persons, which also gives recommendations on their rights. Japan has formulated a Long-Term Plan for Measures for Disabled Persons, to implement programmes concerning, among other things, public information on disabled persons, prevention, medical treatment, development of technical aids, education and employment of disabled persons, and improvement of the physical environment. since 1981, "full participation and equality for disabled persons" has been part of the Human Rights week celebrated in Japan in December each year. Kuwait is starting to draw up a policy concerning disabled persons aiming at their full participation and equality, and Government responsibility in the field of work, freedom and equality for all citizens is clearly identified. The Netherlands is planning a series of four-year development projects, emphasizing education and employment opportunities for persons with disabilities.
16. The Netherlands and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland intend to issue the World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons for guidance in planning national services to disabled persons. New Zealand has set up a Rehabilitation Co-ordinating Council to promote co-ordination of rehabilitation programmes and policies, and disability-related services and facilities. Panama has submitted extensive comments on the recommendations contained in the various areas dealt with in the World Programme of Action, and has illustrated action undertaken by the Government in these areas. A National Welfare and Rehabilitation Long-Term Plan (1982-1991) to serve as a guideline for planning services for disabled persons in Thailand has been adopted. Turkey has included in its fifth Five-Year Plan measures for full participation and equalization of opportunities

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for disabled persons. The United States of America has adopted a National Decade of Disabled Persons and a National Agenda for the Decade. Sri Lanka plans to formulate a national sign language and a Braille press will be set up,
17. Following the proclamation of IYDP, approximately 45 countries have collected
benchmark data on disabled persons as a basic input to their national planning.
Data have been collected in national population censuses and in general and
specialized household surveys. Many of these countries are now collecting these
data on a regular basis or plan to do so, and some 15 other countries plan to
collect such data for the first time in the near future as their national planning
process in the field of disability is strengthened.
2. national committees and other co-ordinating bodies
18. Most of the Member States who reported on this topic have mentioned that the National Committees created during the International Year of Disabled Persons have been continued. Some replies indicated that disabled persons are participating in the work of committees and other bodies dealing with decisions concerning the welfare of persons with disabilities. These committees have played an instrumental role in many countries in development and application of the data-collection activities on disabled persons referred to above. For example, the Disability Advisory Council (Australia), which includes a substantial number of people with disabilities, advises the Government on policies and programmes for disabled persons. In Belgium, the Consultative Community Council on Disabled Persons (for the French community) and the Flemish High Council for Disabled Persons deal with disability-related issues, with the participation of people with disabilities in decision-making. A guide for disabled persons has been published in Belgium and is being updated.
19. In Canada, the Secretary of State is the minister responsible for the status of disabled persons, and a consultative procedure has been initiated to implement the World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons, with the participation of organizations of disabled persons. A Welfare Fund for the Disabled in China is geared towards improving services to disabled persons, including education, employment and enactment of legislation. Cuba and Haiti indicated that the further development of services for disabled persons to enhance their full participation is the goal of the National Committees, which collaborate with the appropriate ministries, and the Committee in the latter country has encouraged the participation of organizations of disabled persons.

20. In Cyprus, disabled persons, through their organizations, participate actively in the work of the National Committee and Sub-Committees, in the formulation of proposals and recommendations in favour of persons with disabilities. Disabled persons in Ghana have formed various associations to influence actions on their behalf.
21. A working group composed of representatives of ministries and concerned organizations, including associations of disabled persons, has been established in two Member States (Cuba and Czechoslovakia) to follow up disability programmes. In

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Finland, a committee in the Ministry of Communications aims to facilitate public information to disabled persons, and municipality boards, in which disabled persons actively take part, follow the development of disability services from the point of view of persons with disabilities.
22. A Central National Co-ordination Group for the Rehabilitation of Disabled Persons has been established in the German Democratic Republic and disabled persons participate in the work of local rehabilitation commissions. Representatives of relevant sectors of the community, including organizations of disabled persons, comprise the National Committee in the Netherlands. In Ghana, a National Council for the Rehabilitation of the Disabled is planned to provide for the welfare of all disabled persons. The Government has welcomed the decision of the United Nations General Assembly to proclaim a Decade of Disabled Persons as a time-frame for the implementation of disability-related programmes. A Cheshire Home will provide care for destitute disabled persons in Ghana. In Japan, a Headquarters for Promoting the Welfare of Disabled Persons has been created to ensure close co-ordination of disability activities, with regard to the Long-Term Plan for Measures for Disabled Persons. The international Year of Disabled Persons Japan Promotion Council and the National Federation of Physically Handicapped Persons Organizations are also involved in promoting activities on behalf of disabled persons in Japan.
23. The National Disability Committee of Kuwait has expressed interest in the implementation of the World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons. New Zealand will monitor the implementation of the World Programme of Action through its Advisory Council for the Community Welfare of Disabled Persons. The National Committee for the Care of Disabled Persons in Oman meets periodically and adopts decisions and recommendations concerning disabled persons. In Sweden, the National Council for Disabled Persons, as well as a special group of representatives of Government departments, follow up the implementation of the World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons. Turkey has established a permanent National Co-ordinating Committee for the Protection of the Disabled, to implement disability programmes. Sri Lanka plans to establish an interministerial National Disability Committee to implement disability programmes during the Decade of Disabled Persons.
24. In the United States of America, the National Organization on Disability, in collaboration with non-governmental and business organizations, supports local committees of disabled and non-disabled persons. The goals of the Organization are to improve public attitudes towards disabled persons; expand accessibility; promote opportunities for education, housing, employment, transportation and recreationi and prevention of disabilities. Uruguay's National Committee for Vocational Rehabilitation deals with programming, planning and co-ordinating national policies concerned with vocational rehabilitation.
3. Measures taken on equalization of opportunities (a) Legislation
25. An important step towards achieving equalization of opportunities for disabled persons is the adoption of national disability legislation. Some Member States reported on improvement of existing laws and regulations, while others informed on the enactment of new legislation in favour of disabled persons.

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26. For example, preparations in Australia are tinder way for creation of a national Bill of Rights for all citizens, including persons with disabilities. In the Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic, the provisions of the Constitution apply fully to disabled persons. In 1983, Canada adopted a disability amendment to the Human Rights Act. Belgium and China reported on provisions for employment and income maintenance for persons with disabilities, and the latter country also mentioned regulations concerning education of people with disabilities.
27. One Member State (Finland) indicated that total reform of disability legislation is being planned and that new legislation has been enacted extending compulsory education to disabled persons and facilitating their access to authorities in public administration. Guyana indicated that the Declaration on the Rights of Disabled Persons (General Assembly resolution 3447 (XXX) of
9 December 1975) will be implemented. Haiti and the Netherlands have indicated that measures have been undertaken or are being planned concerning the rights of mentally retarded persons, based on General Assembly resolution 2856 (XXVI) of 20 December 1971, and in the latter country, a policy statement has been drawn up on this topic. Japan has enacted a law to eliminate discriminatory terms related to physical and mental handicaps, and efforts are being made to improve protection clauses in the Mental Health Act.
28. Several Member States are planning to enact disability legislation on the following subjects: the rights of disabled persons (Greece and Thailand); rehabilitation of disabled persons and prevention of disability (Morocco); formulation of labour laws and employment of disabled persons (Kuwait, Oman, Sri Lanka and Thailand); and income and import tax exemption (Japan and Turkey).
29. A law on accessibility for disabled persons has been enacted in the Philippines. Sweden has ratified the International Labour Organization Convention on Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Disabled Persons). Turkey has adopted an Article of the Constitution on social integration of disabled persons, and a disability law has been passed concerning income tax reduction and tax exemption, social welfare, employment, accident prevention, accessibility and promotion of organizations of disabled persons. Vocational guidance to young disabled persons is guaranteed in the Constitution of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. The Congress of the United States of America adopted a resolution that requires that an annual report be published on national action concerning disability, in accordance with General Assembly resolution 37/53. The first report will address relevant aspects of the World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons. Uruguay held a seminar on the legal protection of disabled persons (May 1984) to prepare a preliminary draft law on the subject.
(b) Education
30. Fourteen Member States indicated their programmes that aim to improve
educational opportunities for disabled persons. The Byelorussian Soviet Socialist
Republic has introduced a broad system of measures for education of mentally and
physically handicapped children. Chile has undertaken steps to provide special and
differential education to persons with disabilities. Cuba, Greece, Japan, Oman and
Turkey have reported on measures to improve existing education services to disabled
persons. In Portugal, efforts have been made to provide education facilities to
all children, including those with disabilities. In China, development of

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education programmes for disabled persons have been included in the Five-Year Plan, and funds for special education have been incorporated in the State budget.
31. Improvement of education services to facilitate integration of disabled
children in the schools systems in Czechoslovakia, Japan and Sweden are being
undertaken. In Iran and Finland, disabled persons are included in the compulsory
education system. Visually and physically handicapped students in Japan receive
assistance when taking university and college examinations, and scholarship
programmes have been established in Japan and the Philippines to upgrade academic
and vocational skills of disabled persons. Sri Lanka has strengthened three
vocational training centres for disabled youth, and four new centres have been
established. In addition, a pre-school education programme for children with
hearing impairments was started in five schools, in co-operation with the Japanese
International Co-operation Agency. Sri Lanka also plans to increase financial
assistance to disabled students entering universities and colleges.
(c) Employment
32. Nineteen Member States reported on their activities to enhance employment opportunities for disabled persons, the most popular ways for achieving this goal including vocational rehabilitation, workshops and sheltered employment, job placement services and financial incentives to employers of disabled persons.
33. The Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic provides job placement services to disabled persons, plans are under way for an extensive system of employment opportunities and industrial training institutions exist for sensorially disabled persons. In Chile and Japan, vocational rehabilitation measures include workshops for mentally disabled persons. China, Cuba and Sri Lanka have undertaken steps to improve the employment and job placement of disabled persons. A transportation allowance is provided to disabled employees in Cyprus and production workshops are available. A referral service has been developed in Czechoslovakia to recommend suitable occupations and to encourage the employment of disabled persons. In Ghana, an employment centre for disabled persons has been established, in co-operation with the Government of Norway. In Portugal, financial support has been provided for self-employment schemes for disabled persons and subsidies have been paid to employers who eliminate physical barriers and who adapt jobs to the needs of disabled persons.
34. In the Federal Republic of Germany and Japan measures have been undertaken to increase employment and training opportunities for disabled persons and financial incentives are offered to employers of severely disabled persons. Increased rights are given to disabled workers in the former country, through on-the-job representatives who defend their interests.
35. In Finland, a decree on job placement subsidies for disabled persons facilitates their employment. The right to work is guaranteed in the German Democratic Republic and severely disabled persons are given sheltered employment, including work to be done at home. Productive co-operative societies and protected workshops have been established for disabled persons in several Member States (Iran
(Islamic Republic of), Sri Lanka and Turkey).
36. Five Member States (Japan, Sweden, Thailand, the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist
Republic and Union of Soviet Socialist Republics) are expanding their vocational
training programmes, and special committees are responsible for the job placement
of disabled persons.

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(d) Rehabilitation
37. Of the Member States who reported on their rehabilitation measures, four replies indicated that disabled persons are participating in the formulation of rehabilitation programmes (German Democratic Republic, Ghana, Japan and Oman). Vocational counseling and training are offered to disabled persons in the Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic and Turkey. Czechoslovakia is planning co-ordination of rehabilitation services, especially with regard to persons with mental disabilities, and research is being carried out concerning socio-medical measures for rehabilitation. A draft resolution on a coherent policy for the rehabilitation of disabled persons was passed in the Netherlands.
38. Prosthetic devices and technical aids are provided to disabled persons in Cuba, Cyprus, Japan, Oman, the German Democratic Republic and Sri Lanka. Also, centres for rehabilitation of disabled persons have been set up or are being planned in several Member States (for example, the German Democratic Republic, Guyana, Japan, Oman, Panama and Sri Lanka). Australia, the Philippines and
Sri Lanka are expanding their community-based rehabilitation services, the latter country in co-operation with the United Nations Children's Fund. The Rehabilitation Review Committee in one Member State (New Zealand) is carrying out vocational rehabilitation assessment of disabled persons. New Zealand jointly hosted, with Rehabilitation International, an Asia and Pacific Convention on Rehabilitation (Wellington, April 1984). One reply indicated that recent advances in economic and social development have made it possible to bring better health to the community, including rehabilitation programmes (Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic).
(e) Prevention
39. Twenty-two Member States provided information on their measures for prevention
of disability, many of whom stated that prevention is given high priority in
disability programmes. Some replies (Chile, Ghana, Japan, Oman, the Philippines,
Sri Lanka and Turkey) indicated that public information campaigns play a major role
in prevention. Australia has initiated a universal health care scheme. Cuba and
Turkey provide genetic counseling, and in the former country the importance of
early stimulation of infants is emphasized. China has made advances in prevention
of sensorial disabilities. In the Federal Republic of Germany, the establishment
of local and mobile services composed of interdisciplinary teams is planned, and in
Morocco social education centres have been set up to promote health awareness among
mothers and to protect the health of children. Japan is carrying out research on
the causes, prevention and treatment of such disabilities as Down's syndrome,
cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy and autism, and early treatment of childhood
disabilities is one of the major priorities in this Member State's disability
programmes. The Netherlands has introduced provisions to ensure that important
aspects of prevention are taken into consideration, as contained in
paragraphs 13 (a) and 13 (b) of the World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons, and regional teams have been introduced for the early recognition of childhood disabilities, in conformity with paragraph 14 of the World Programme. Panama indicated that special attention is being given to prevention in rural areas.
40. Several replies indicated that measures are being undertaken to prevent or
reduce the incidence of traffic and other accidents (Cuba, Czechoslovakia, Haiti,

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Oman, Turkey, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and Uruguay). In the United Kingdom, compulsory wearing of seat-belts for drivers and front-seat passengers of automobiles has been introduced. Haiti plans to develop a system of traffic accident prevention, including provision of ambulances, as part of its disability programmes during the Decade of Disabled Persons.
41. Several Member States indicated special programmes for prevention. The United Kingdom has launched a joint campaign with voluntary organizations to increase immunity to rubella among schoolgirls and women of child-bearing age. Morocco and Turkey reported on development of policies to combat environmental pollution, and in the former country family-planning measures are included in prevention activities. In Portugal, among various programmes to prevent disabilities, the following have been undertaken: early diagnostic examination of pregnant women and treatment of pregnant women; immunization campaigns against measles; and systematic check-ups for children. Oman is formulating a national plan to eliminate leprosy and in 1982 a scientific symposium was held to identify types of disability, their causes and methods for prevention.
42. Five replies mentioned the importance of immunization campaigns and nutrition in their prevention programmes (Cuba, Morocco, Oman, Turkey and Uruguay), and in Cuba, poliomyelitis has been successfully eradicated. The Haitian National Council will undertake measures during the Decade of Disabled Persons to control the incidence of poliomyelitis and other disabling diseases. Oman and Uruguay reported on efforts to control the use of alcoholic beverages and drugs. Thailand plans to conduct research on disability that will be used as a basis for implementing programmes on prevention and rehabilitation and will promote measures to prevent mental disabilities. One Member State (the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics) stated that an article of its Constitution deals with prevention of disabilities.
(f) Bilateral technical co-operation
43. Pour Member States reported on their technical co-operation activities. The
Canadian International Development Agency supported in 1982/1983 about 250 projects
by non-governmental organizations, with a strong emphasis on rehabilitation, and in
addition 31 international co-operation and development service projects on
prevention of disability were assisted. Finland is carrying out disability
projects in co-operation with developing countries. Sweden provided support to
organizations of disabled persons, and a study group was set up to ensure the needs
of disabled persons in bilateral development aid programmes. The World Health
Organization and the University of Quebec (Canada) provided experts who
collaborated with Haitian authorities on development of physiotherapy services in
Haiti. Sweden is collaborating with the Centre for Social Development and
Humanitarian Affairs, Department of International Economic and Social Affairs, on
the compilation of a check-list on equalization of opportunities for disabled
persons. Financial aid to Disabled Peoples' International is being planned by
Sweden.
(g) Housing and accessibility to the physical environment
44. Ten Member States responded to the question of housing for disabled persons
and measures for ensuring their accessibility to the physical environment of
society. Belgium, the Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic, Cyprus, Finland,
Japan, the Netherlands and Oman have undertaken steps to make public buildings and

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transportation accessible to persons wth disabilities, and one Member State {Sri Lanka) plans to include access in its disability programmes during the Decade of Disabled Persons. In the Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic, occupation homes are provided for disabled persons for their rehabilitation and reintegration into social life. In Sweden, special grants are available for adaptation of apartments for disabled persons in existing buildings, and a new Planning and Building Act is to be enacted. Japan has adopted measures to assist disabled persons in securing suitable housing.
45. An independent Access Committee has been established in the United Kingdom to
serve as a national focal point on accessibility matters and to assist in the
preparation of an amendment to building regulations to provide access for disabled
persons to public buildings,
(h) Recreation and sports
46. The participation of disabled persons in recreation and sports, as well as in other leisure-time activities, including their accessibility to such facilities, is another area of concern reported on by some Member States. For example, in Belgium, the Third Spartakiad Games for Disabled Persons were held in Brussels (May 1983), and the Fourth Spartakiad is foreseen for 1984. In Chile, Olympic games were held for mentally handicapped children. China undertook a number of sports-related activities, including the foundation of a national sports association for disabled persons. In C2echoslovakia, holiday facilities are being developed for disabled persons. Haiti has initiated a national Sports Games for Handicapped Children, and Morocco is assisting disabled athletes through the provision of technical aids. Summer camps for disabled children and adolescents have been established in Turkey, and a variety of cultural, sports and artistic competitions for disabled persons are held annually in the country. In Sri Lanka, sports activities for disabled persons were promoted and equipment was supplied to the participants.
47. The International Games for the Disabled were held in Long Island, New York, United States of America, from 16 to 30 June 1984. One thousand eight hundred athletes with disabilities from approximately 50 countries participated in the competitions.
(i) Basic data collection and applications
48. Countries have increasingly recognized that in order to provide a quantitative
basis for policies and programmes aimed at equalization of opportunities, a broad
range of data on the social, economic and environmental circumstances of disabled
persons is needed, in addition to data on their health status. Such data are best
collected in household surveys and the United Nations National Household Survey
Capability Programme {NHSCP) provides a comprehensive framework for assistance to
countries in developing their survey programmes. At the present time, about
one third of more than 60 developing countries who expect to participate in NHSCP have indicated a specific interest in covering health and disability issues in their survey work.

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C Measures undertaken by the United Nations system
49. The General Assembly, in paragraph 3 of resolution 37/53, requested all organs, organizations and agencies of the United Nations system to formulate and undertake measures within their respective spheres of competence, to ensure early implementation of the World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons, and requested, in particular, the regional commissions to implement suitable programmes, on the understanding that effective consultation and co-ordination among the various bodies were essential.
1. United Nations
50. Within the United Nations, the Centre for Social Development and Humanitarian Affairs of the Department of International Economic and Social Affairs has been designated, in accordance with paragraph 156 of the World Programme of Action, the focal point for co-ordinating and monitoring the implementation of the World Programme of Action, including its review and appraisal. The Under-Secretary-General for the Department of International Economic and Social Affairs is also designated Programme Manager of the Trust Fund for the International Year of Disabled Persons (see also chap. III on the Trust Fund),
51. Through consultative missions and projects financed by the Trust Fund, the Centre for Social Development and Humanitarian Affairs assists Governments, at their request, in the design of national policies and programmes on disability prevention and rehabilitation, and equalization of opportunities for persons with disabilities within the framework of the World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons. The Centre is collaborating with the statistical Office of the United Nations Secretariat in assisting Governments in designing and implementing data-collection activities concerned with disabled persons and in making effective use of the results, and in the preparation of technical manuals and case studies on collecting and using disability statistics; for this purpose an expert group meeting on disability statistics was held in April 1984. The Centre is also involved in the establishment of a monitoring system to be based, inter alia, on careful collection and compilation of indicators, statistics and other information, in accordance with paragraphs 194-199 of the World Programme of Action, in co-operation with the Statistical Office of the United Nations Secretariat and relevant United Nations agencies.
52. The Centre is also undertaking studies on national and international legislation for equalization of opportunities for disabled persons; and on the extent, causes and consequences of disability. Two issues of the periodical technical publication Disabled Persons Bulletin have been issued. In response to paragraph 6 of General Assembly resolution 37/53, the Centre is preparing, in collaboration with the relevant specialized agencies, a check-list dealing with the equalization of opportunities for disabled persons that could be used by consultants in discussion with Governments of Member States. The Centre, also in response to paragraph 6 of General Assembly resolution 37/53, is compiling information on available technical and financial resources to assist developing countries in the prevention of disability, rehabilitation and equalization of ' opportunities.

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53. The Centre has, in response to a request from the seven Arab States of the Gulf area, submitted a proposal as to how to identify and meet the needs of disabled persons in this region. Consultative missions to assist in the preparation of national programmes of action concerning disabled persons are also to be undertaken in many developing countries, such as Angola, Cameroon, Congo, Djibouti, Guinea, Jamaica, Morocco, Peru and Swaziland.
54. In response to Economic and Social Council resolution 1984/26 of 24 May 1984, which was adopted on the recommendation of the Commission on Human Rights, the Centre will be participating in a study that will be undertaken by a special rapporteur to be appointed by the Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities on the casual connection between serious violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms and disability, and of the progress made to alleviate problems. The Council has requested the Sub-Commission to submit its views and recommendations, through the Commission on Human Rights and the Commission on Social Development, to the Council at its first regular session
in 1986. The Council also decided exceptionally to include in the agenda of its first regular session of 1986 a special item on disabled persons to coincide with the approach, in 1987, of the mid-point of the United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons, in order to allow for a full debate of that report.
55. The Economic and Social Council, in its decision 1984/142, decided that the
report entitled "Principles, guidelines and guarantees for the protection of
persons detained on grounds of mental ill-health or suffering from mental disorder"
(E/CN.4/Sub.2/1983/17), prepared by a special Rapporteur, should be published and given the widest possible distribution in all the official languages of the United Nations. The study, which contains a number of recommendations for action, particularly by States, for the protection of the fundamental freedoms, human and legal rights of such disabled persons, will be released as a United Nations publication in due course.
56. The Department of Technical Co-operation for Development has promoted action
and resources in technical co-operation activities in the field of disability
statistics through provision of regular programme-financed short-term advisory
services. This included in January 1984 the funding of advisory missions to Egypt,
Jordan, and the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya to assist in the establishment of disability
statistics as a basis for formulating relevant national policies and programmes.
As a result of needs identified by these missions, resources are now being made available for further work on disability statistics in the western Asia region. The Department is also providing advisory services to developing countries in the African and American regions to meet urgent needs in policies, planning and project formulation for national implementation of the World Programme of Action.
57. The Department of Public information of the United Nations Secretariat is
preparing an education kit on the United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons; and a
series of feature articles on current trends in the field of disability.
Arrangements are being made for meetings and panel discussions for the media and
prominent disabled persons in the United States of America, to be held in
co-operation with the American Association of Disability Counselors.

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58. Activities and projects undertaken by the Division of Narcotic Drugs of the Secretariat reflect the recognition of the relationship between drug dependency and disability. In supporting the World Programme of Action for Disabled Persons, the Division's activities, including those in support of the International Drug Abuse Control Strategy, will be enhanced during the United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons, 1983-1992.
59. The activities of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) relating to disabled persons included an Expert Group Meeting on the Development and Utilization of Local Manpower and Technology for Disability-related Services in Rural and Poverty Areas of the Asia-Pacific region, held from
21 February to 1 March 1983, which endorsed the TCDC (technical co-operation among developing countries) approach in disability-related programmes. That meeting proposed a regional resource network for dissemination of information, personnel development and research purposes, and recommended that ESCAP co-ordinate and serve as a focal point for regional co-operation activities. Other activities included the development of a regional programme in support of disability prevention and rehabilitation; and the identification of national rehabilitation facilities in the region that could constitute the regional resource network for technical co-operation. ESCAP on request also advised on the World Programme of Action component related to the regional support service in disability prevention and rehabilitation of the Technical Co-operation Centre of the Government of the Philippines.
60. The Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) has undertaken a detailed study to examine the situation of disabled persons in the African region, and to review and evaluate the progress achieved towards the implementation of a regional plan of action for disabled persons. On the basis of the study, ECA is reviewing its programme for disabled persons in order to achieve early and effective implementation of the World Programme of Action as it relates to Africa. Advisory services are also being provided to Member States, at their request, in reviewing their national policies and programmes, with the emphasis on equalization of opportunities, rehabilitation and social integration.
61. ECA is also initiating projects at the sub regional and regional levels to assist Member States in implementing their programmes and to encourage co-operation among them, to enable them to run joint programmes for research and training on a cost-effective basis. The Commission is giving technical support to the African Rehabilitation Institute in co-operation with the Organization of African Unity and International Labour Organization. This Institute will be a decentralized service-oriented facility that will make use of existing facilities in African countries.
62. The Economic Commission for Europe (ECE) mentions that main activities relating to disabled persons carried out by the Inland Transport Committee and its specialized subsidiary bodies, including prevention of traffic accidents and the facilitation of movement of disabled persons. The Inland Transport Committee aims to achieve the international harmonization of rules and regulations concerning road traffic and construction of road vehicles. While most of these activities are pertinent to prevention of disability as a result of road traffic accidents, others

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deal more specifically with the condition of disabled persons. Prior to the adoption of the World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons, a recommendation on "Measures intending to facilitate the movement of handicapped persons in traffic" (TRANS/SC.l/294/Rev.3) had already been adopted. Work was continued on the elaboration of recommendations on the transport of disabled persons in public service vehicles, and on guidelines for adaptation of passenger cars to the needs of disabled persons.
63. The activities of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization concerning the implementation of the World Programme of Action focus on the prevention of disabilities by providing technical assistance for the manufacture of vaccines and drugs, UNIDO also has a programme on industrial production of biologicals with the objective of assisting developing countries in manufacturing conventional vaccines, modern biotechnical vaccines and blood products, i.e. human plasma fractions, sera and immunoglobulins.
64. The Office of the United Nations Disaster Relief Co-ordinator (UNDRO) has introduced in its booklet Disasters and the Disabled some new instructions for assessing the size and scale of the problems faced by disabled persons. The revised edition of the booklet is issued to United Nations Development Programme Resident Representatives for their disaster-related responsibilities.
65. The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) continues to give particular attention to the problems of disabled refugees. Guidelines were issued in 1983 to field offices on the identification of and assistance to disabled refugees and other groups with special needs. Surveys were also undertaken to assess the needs of refugees with mental, physical and sensory disabilities in asylum countries. The Trust Fund of the High Commissioner for Refugees was used to assist individual refugees and to finance surveys and group projects. Projects were established in 15 countries to meet identified needs and promote durable solutions through self-reliance.
66. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has encouraged Governments to include within their relevant country programmes allocations bearing on prevention of disability and rehabilitation of disabled persons. UNDP is also taking part in efforts at prevention of avoidable disability through the project IMPACT (see para. 74) in co-operation with the Centre for Social Development and Humanitarian Affairs, the United Nations Children's Fund and World Health Organization.
2. Specialized agencies
67. The sixty-ninth session of the international Labour Conference adopted in June 1983 two new international instruments: Convention 159 concerning Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Disabled Persons) and Recommendation 168 concerning Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Disabled Persons). The new standards suggest new approaches to the promotion of employment opportunities for disabled persons, with emphasis given to the role of employers' and workers' organizations, as well as to organizations of disabled persons themselves in the organization and development of rehabilitation services. The International Labour

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Organisation (ILO) is planning an active research and public information service to serve Member States, non-governmental organizations and individual professionals. Research is planned on the problem facing disabled women in gaining access to vocational rehabilitation services. ILO's vocational rehabilitation activities are closely co-ordinated with the programmes of other agencies and organizations within and outside the United Nations system.
68. ILO is involved in a rapidly expanding programme of technical co-operation and is providing advice and assistance to more than 40 countries at present. Special emphasis is being given to the development of community-based rehabilitation services in rural areas, to the training of grass-root level rehabilitation staff and to the development of indigenous resources.
69. The Pood and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (PAO) is involved in a number of activities concerned with prevention of disability, and has designated a focal point within the organization to stimulate organization-wide interest in these activities. In particular, PAO is involved in nutrition intervention and food control to prevent illness and disability. A number of joint action programmes are aimed at the control of vector-borne diseases. An inter-agency programme is being carried out with the United Nations Development Programme, world Health Organization and the World Bank, to control river blindness in West Africa. Training activities in forestry, fishery and other programmes take into account accident prevention as well as nutritional and sanitation measures that may reduce disabling effects.
70. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 1983 started a project concerning training of personnel involved in the education of disabled persons. The primary aim of the project is to encourage the development of education of disabled students within the ordinary educational structures. To reinforce the training of personnel working with disabled people, teachers' guidelines will be drafted in 1984-1985. An interdisciplinary study is planned on the socio-cultural aspects of disability and the implications for educational action. A sub regional special education project for eastern and southern Africa, which was started during 1981, has now entered its second phase. Thirteen countries are associated with the project, which focuses on training of special education personnel, the development of support training materials, information and documentation services and advisory services to Member States. This project has also given special attention to the Declaration of the Rights of Mentally Retarded Persons.
71. The World Health Organization (WHO) has provided prevention of disability through the Expanded Programme on Immunization, aiming at immunization of all children by 1990 against the six major killing and disabling diseases; the Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases; the Accident Prevention Programme to promote safety measures and to develop public education techniques related to traffic accidents; the Programme for the Prevention of Blindness and the Onchocerciasis Control Programme in the Volta River Basin; improved prenatal care efforts promoted by the Division of Maternal and Child Health; the Division of Mental Health is involved in efforts to develop better prevention of mental retardation, mental diseases, alcoholism and drug abuse; the Cardio-vascular Diseases Programme has components studying the prevention of cardio-vascular

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diseases; the Nutrition Programme aims at preventing malnutrition by education, food production and distribution, in the field of rehabilitation WHO developed a manual entitled Training Disabled People in the Community, in collaboration with the United Nations Secretariat, UNHCR, UNICEF, ILO and UNESCO. The manual is being used as a practical operational tool to implement community-based rehabilitation programmes in twenty-four developing countries. Guidelines have also been produced to facilitate translation of the manual into vernacular languages and for its adaptation to suit local conditions. A guide was prepared for the training of intermediate-level personnel who in turn would train and supervise community-level personnel for community-based rehabilitation. The Guidelines for the Development of Curricula for the Education of Rehabilitation Supervisors in developing countries have been revised. A guide on managing community-based rehabilitation is under preparation.
3. Inter-agency collaboration
72. The General Assembly, in paragraph 4 of its resolution 37/53, requested the Secretary-General to establish inter-organizational task forces in order to provide support services for the exchange of technical information and transfer of technology and know-how, as well as other activities for the development of technical co-operation in the fields of prevention, rehabilitation and equalization of opportunities in developing countries, within the existing arrangements for inter-agency co-ordination in order to support national and regional activities in the developing regions in the fields of prevention of disability, rehabilitation and equalization of opportunities for disabled persons.
73. The issue of inter-organizational task forces was discussed during the first and second inter-agency meetings on the Decade of Disabled Persons, held respectively in Geneva (30 and 31 May 1983) and in Vienna (3 and
4 September 1984). The latter meeting recommended that task forces on the following topics should be established at national, regional and international levels, in collaboration with relevant agencies and organizations of the United Nations system, the Centre of World Organizations Interested in the Handicapped and Disabled Peoples' Internationals (a) public education to create further awareness of the United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons; (b) development and operationalization of disability concepts, (c) human resources development; (d) technical aids and appropriate technologies at regional levels; (e) support services (see document ACC/1984/PG/17). The recommendation of the inter-agency meeting will be further reviewed by the Consultative Committee on Substantive Questions (Programme Matters) of the Administrative Committee on Co-ordination at its first regular session in 1985.
74. IMPACT is an international programme sponsored by DNDP, WHO and UNICEF and
funded by voluntary contributions for the purpose of attacking causes and
consequences of avoidable disablement, spread remedies and promote low-cost
prevention measures. when launched in India in October 1983, IMPACT issued the
New Delhi Declaration, the first national plan of action against avoidable
disablement undertaken by a country during the United Nations Decade of Disabled
Persons. The New Delhi Declaration states priorities in prevention and curative

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intervention such as restoring sight to about five million curable cases of blindness. Similar programmes aim at restoring movement to 10 million orthopedically disabled persons, hearing to five million deaf persons and correcting one million leprosy impairments. Shortly after the launching of IMPACT, the first eye camp of Thailand was organized by the Ophthalmology Society of Thailand. in April 1984, the "Polio-Free Madras by 1985" campaign was launched and 4,000 children received their first dose of oral polio vaccine in less than three hours. The campaign is planned to be extended to 200,000 children under the age of six. Agreement was reached with the Kenyan Government to launch IMPACT in Kenya during the second half of 1984. Plans are being developed to join the efforts of UNDP, ILO, UNESCO and WHO arrangements for inter-agency co-ordination, in order to support national and regional activities in the developing regions in the fields of prevention, rehabilitation and equalization of opportunities.
D. Organizations of disabled persons
75. in paragraph 7 of resolution 37/53, the Secretary-General was requested to continue to give appropriate priority, within the programmes for disabled persons, to activities related to organizations of disabled persons.
76. Several international non-governmental organizations of and for disabled persons reported on their activities. The Disabled Peoples' International (DPI) was founded in December 1981 at its first World Congress in Singapore, with, inter alia, support from the United Nations Trust Fund for the International Year of Disabled Persons. DPI is a multi-disability federation of organizations of disabled persons with contacts in about 85 countries. Its objectives are to provide expertise, resources and training to assist disabled persons in acquiring the self-help skills needed to achieve better socio-economic conditions in their own communities. To obtain these goals, DPI sponsored leadership training seminars in Dakar, Senegal, Bangkok, Thailand, and Barbados. DPI is also aiming at making disabled persons' organizations more familiar with international development issues and conversely those working in the field of international development more familiar with the needs and abilities of disabled persons. To initiate this process an International Symposium on Development is being planned for
1 to 5 October 1984 in Jamaica.
77. The World Federation for Mental Health and the International League of
Societies for Persons with Mental Handicap expressed interest in implementing the
goals and objectives of the World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons
during the Decade of Disabled Persons.
E. Formulation of national policies and programmes
78. The General Assembly, in paragraph 10 of its resolution 37/53, requested all Governments in a position to do so, the United Nations Development Programme and all relevant United Nations organs, organizations and agencies to assist Governments of developing countries, at their request, in the formulation of national policies and programmes for disabled persons.

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79. As indicated in paragraphs 43 and 51 above, advisory services, technical co-operation and financial resources are being provided by a number of Governments as well as by bodies of the United Nations system to developing countries in the formulation of national policies and programmes for disabled persons.
P. United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons
80. The General Assembly, in paragraph 11 of its resolution 37/53, proclaimed the period 1983-1992 United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons as a long-term plan of action, on the understanding that no additional resources from the United Nations system will be needed for this purpose, and encouraged Member States to utilize that period as one of the means to implement the world Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons.
81. The Secretary-General has reviewed the World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons with the aim at identifying priority areas for action at the national, regional and interregional levels during the Decade. The following areas were considered of major importance:

(a) One of the most important institutional arrangements at the national level consists of the national disability committees that were created during the International Year of Disabled Persons in most Member States. These committees should continue and, if necessary, be strengthened so as to be able to carry out the work during the Decade of Disabled Persons on a more permanent basis. They should include representation of organizations of disabled persons;
(b) Member States should be encouraged to review their national legislation, especially legislation related to human rights and to social assistance and security, with the aim of eradicating all discriminatory and segregating elements. When reviewing the legislation consideration should be given to the realization of the objective of full participation of disabled persons and their organizations in the decision-making processes in various sectors of society;
(c) Countries should give high priority to further improvements in collection of basic data on disabled persons on a regular basis and to close collaboration between users and producers of these data in the analysis of data requirements and use of the resulting data. National and international technical co-operation and donor agencies and other interested international organizations, including non-governmental organizations, should provide every possible assistance to interested countries in this field, in the context of developing national statistical capabilities and uses of disability data;
(d) Rules and regulations ensuring accessibility to buildings and facilities should be established. In the view of the Secretary-General consideration should be given by the National Disability Committees as a priority to ensuring that no new buildings or institutions are built without due consideration to the accessibility problem for various categories of disabled persons;
(e) Special attention should also be given to an adequate provision of technical aids;

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(f) Prevention of disability, both in the medical and in the social field, should be given high priority. Since prevention covers a vast area, detailed guidelines for priorities should be worked out for the Decade of Disabled Persons;
(g) Equalization of opportunities within the educational system should be another main issue during the Decade;
(h) Public information and evaluation elements should be built into all
programmes;
(I) At the international level the management of the Trust Fund, the establishment of effective services for exchange of information, and the monitoring and evaluation of the implementation of the World Programme of Action are closely linked activities to support activities during the Decade at all levels. It would be useful to establish guidelines on how best to undertake activities for the Decade; such guidelines would not only assist Member States to formulate and implement long-term national plans and programmes but would also assist in co-ordinating the activities of the United Nations system and those of the non-governmental organizations.
82. Plans for the observance of the Decade were discussed at an inter-agency meeting with the participation of non-governmental organizations, which took place in Vienna on 3 and 4 September 1984. The meeting agreed that the Centre for Social Development and Humanitarian Affairs should formulate priorities concerning the implementation of the World Programme of Action during the Decade of Disabled Persons. The meeting also agreed to recommend that due consideration should be given by Governments, United Nations organizations and specialized agencies, as well as by relevant non-governmental organizations, to possible secondment of staff to the Centre to enable it to fulfil its tasks and assume its leadership role for the implementation of the World Programme (see document ACC/1984/PG/17).
83. The 30th Annual Meeting of the Council of World Organizations Interested in the Handicapped held in Paris, 12 and 13 December 1983, adopted a resolution on the Decade of Disabled Persons, in which the view was expressed that the objectives of the Decade cannot be achieved without strong and effective leadership from the United Nations Secretariat. Furthermore, the Chair of the Council was requested to convey to the Secretary-General of the United Nations the view of the Council and its 48 member organizations that a higher priority must be assigned to the planning, management and financing of the Decade, and that additional resources of funds and personnel must be made available for this purpose. During the fifteenth World Congress of Rehabilitation International, held on 4 to 8 June 1984 in Lisbon, a strong interest in the Decade was also expressed.
84. At the World Congress, a special interest session was arranged to enable a discussion of the Decade and the implementation of the World Programme of Action. An active interest was expressed by the delegates and follow-up consultations were held concerning the possible structuring of activity to support the goals of the
Decade.
85. Rehabilitation International strongly supports the position of the Council of
World Organizations Interested in the Handicapped that additional resources,

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particularly of personnel, must be made available for the implementation of these important decisions of the General Assembly. Concern was expressed that, without such leadership from the United Nations, the momentum that was generated by the International Year of Disabled Persons would be lost.
G. National days and weeks for the disabled
86. In paragraph 12 of resolution 37/53, Governments were encouraged to proclaim
national days for the disabled. Finland, Haiti and Japan reported that special
days for disabled persons have been observed in these countries. In Turkey, a
National Week of Disabled Persons has been designated, and National Days for
Disabled Persons have been proclaimed for the various categories of disabilities.
H. Human resources development
87. In paragraph 13 of resolution 37/53, international organizations and funding bodies were urged to give higher priority to human resources development, in particular to training activities in the fields of prevention and rehabilitation, and to enhance the equalization of opportunities and the participation of disabled persons.
88. In 1983 the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization started a project concerning training of personnel involved in the education of disabled persons. To reinforce the training of personnel working with disabled persons, teachers' guidelines will be elaborated in 1984-1985.
89. The World Health Organization has sponsored several training workshops and courses such as the Regional workshop on Rehabilitation of the Disabled in the Community, New Delhi, December 1982; a regional workshop on Manpower Development for Rehabilitation, held in the Philippines in January 1984} national training courses in Botswana, Burma, China, Haiti, Jamaica and Saint Lucia, which were held in 1983. In addition, a regional course on planning and management of rehabilitation programmes was held in Manila in November 1983. Furthermore, such courses are planned in the form of correspondence courses.
I. The International Youth Year
90. In paragraph 14 of resolution 37/53, the organizations of the United Nations system were requested to recognize the needs of disabled persons in their activities relating to the international Youth Year and in the international and regional congresses and meetings that they sponsor.
91. Issues related to disabled youth were discussed at the second inter-agency meeting on the United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons held in Vienna
on 3 and 4 September 1984 and also in the following non-governmental organization meetings: the 30th annual meeting of the Council of World Organizations Interested in the Handicapped, held in Paris in December 1983, and the Rehabilitation International Congress, held in Lisbon in June 1984.

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92. Assessment of the regional situation concerning disabled youth and
consideration of disabled youth problems in regional plans and proposals was
included in the following regional meetings of International Youth Year: European
Meeting held in Romania on 5-9 September 1983; Economic and Social Commission for
Asia and the Pacific meeting held at Bangkok on 26-30 July 1983} Economic
Commission tor Latin America meeting held in San Jose, Costa Rica on
3-7 October 1983} Economic Commission for Africa meeting held in Addis Ababa
on 20-24 June 1983 and Economic Commission for western Asia meeting held in Baghdad
on 9-13 October 1983.
J. Revision of the world Health Organization definitions
93. in paragraph 15 of resolution 37/53, the World Health Organization (WHO) was requested, in the light of the experience of the International Year of Disabled Persons, to review its definitions of impairment, disability and handicap in consultation with organizations of disabled persons and other appropriate bodies.
94. WHO has reported that the experimental classification for which these definitions were formulated will be undergoing scrutiny. Work on the practical utility of the concept and content is already under way in several countries. WHO intends to gather as wide a range of experiences as possible as a first step to a detailed review during 1985 of the use of the classification and its underlying concepts. This work will involve the major bodies associated with disabled persons.
95. The statistical Office of the United Nations Secretariat is collaborating with the Centre for Social Development and Humanitarian Affairs, the Economic Commission for Europe and WHO in reviewing national practices in the definition and classification of disability in population censuses and household surveys, with a view to determining the most practical concepts and classifications for use in this context. The results and conclusions will be incorporated in the United Nations report on the use of surveys for collecting disability statistics on disabled persons, to be published in 1985.
III. UNITED NATIONS TRUST FUND FOR THE INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF DISABLED PERSONS
A. Background
96. The General Assembly, in its resolution 38/28, recognized the desirability of
the continuation of the Trust Fund for the International Year of Disabled Persons
throughout the United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons for the benefit of
disabled persons, particularly those in developing countries. The General Assembly
decided that the Trust Fund should continue its activities pending a report by the
Secretary-General to the Assembly at its thirty-ninth session, which should include
recommendations for the further implementation of the world Programme of Action
concerning Disabled Persons, the funding of such activities by voluntary
contributions, the possible terms of reference of a trust fund for the United

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Nations Decade of Disabled Persons, the implementation of the provisions contained in Assembly resolution 36/77 of 8 December 1981 concerning the organization of support services for technical co-operation in favour of disabled persons, as well as the organization of task forces mentioned in Assembly resolution 37/53.
97. The General Assembly, also in its resolution 38/28, stressed the need that the administration of the Trust Fund should continue to be carried out as an integral part of the substantive responsibilities for disability matters discharged by the United Nations Secretariat. The General Assembly recommended that the resources of the Trust Fund should be geared, within the framework of the United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons, towards the implementation of the World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons and towards helping persons with disabilities to organize themselves, towards assisting in implementing support and consultative services for technical co-operation and inter-organizational task forces, and towards strengthening the activities of the regional commissions in the field of disability prevention and the advancement of persons with disabilities.

B.

Designation and classification

98. At its thirty-seventh session, the General Assembly adopted, in its resolution 37/52, the World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons and, in its resolution 37/53, proclaimed the period 1983-1992 the United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons as a long-term plan of action, on the understanding that no additional resources from the United Nations system would be needed for this purpose. The General Assembly, in its resolution 38/28, requested the Secretary-General to undertake the necessary steps to strengthen the Trust Fund and to enlist to this effect extrabudgetary resources as indicated in paragraph 158 of the World Programme of Action.
99. Bearing this in mind and taking into consideration the above-mentioned guiding principles and directives of the General Assembly, and in view of the need to utilize resources from the Trust Fund for activities undertaken to implement the world Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons, particularly during the Decade, the Secretary-General recommends that the name of the Trust Fund be changed to United Nations Fund for Disability to reflect more accurately the purpose of the Fund.
100. The Trust Fund would be classified as a general purpose trust fund in accordance with rules and procedures of the United Nations on the establishment and
management of trust funds.
C. Terms of reference
101. The terms of reference of the Trust Fund, set out below, have been established to reflect the concerns of the General Assembly in its resolution 32/33, the recommedations of the World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons that was adopted by the General Assembly in its resolution 37/52, the proclamation by the General Assembly in its resolution 37/53 of the United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons, 1983-1992, and the priority areas for action as mentioned below.

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102. The resources of the Trust Fund shall be used to finance inter alia:
(a) Consultative and advisory services to Member States by the organizations of the United Nations system concerning the design and development of long-term national policies, plans and programmes on disability within the framework of the World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons;
(b) Technical co-operation activities in developing countries in the areas of rehabilitation and equalization of opportunities of disabled persons in order to strengthen efforts of united Nations organizations with a view to implementing the recommendations of the World Programme of Action and the guidelines on technical co-operation contained in the Programme of Action;
(c) Promoting the exchange of information, transfer of technology and know-how between developed and developing countries and among developing countries in the fields of prevention, rehabilitation and equalization of opportunities in developing countries for disabled persons;
(d) The development of human resources and training activities through the strengthening of organizations of disabled persons and the development of skills and abilities and potentials of disabled persons;
(e) Activities at the national, regional or international levels undertaken through inter-agency collaboration for the prevention of disability and rehabilitation of persons with disability;
(f) Data collection, research and analysis in the areas of disability prevention, rehabilitation and equalization of opportunities for persons with disabilities;
(g) Such other activities and projects as deemed necessary to implement the World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons.
D. Administration of the Trust Fund
103. The Trust Fund is governed by the United Nations financial rules and regulations. The United Nations Under-Secretary-General for the Department of International Economic and Social Affairs is designated Programme Manager of the Fund.
104. Project proposals submitted to the United Nations for financial support from the Trust Fund are reviewed and evaluated in accordance with the terms of reference of the Fund. Allocation of resources is made to Governments and organizations for project execution.
E. Priority areas for support by the Trust Fund
105. Based on the five years of experience in the functioning of the Trust Fund and
on guiding principles contained in the World Programme of Action and

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recommendations of the General Assembly, the following priority areas for funding by the Trust Fund during the Decade have been established:
(a) National level
(i) Strengthening national co-ordinating committees on disability as a means to develop special relationships with and co-ordinate activities of the ministries responsible for planning, social assistance, health, education and labour programmes. Non-governmental organizations, and in particular organizations of disabled persons, should be represented in the committees;
(ii) Strengthening organizations of disabled persons and measures aimed at developing the skills and abilities of disabled persons;
(iii) Preparation of long-term national plans and programmes, including collection and evaluation of basic socio-economic data on disabled persons, as needed for planning purposes;
(iv) Review of existing legislation relating to human rights and to social
assistance and security to eradicate all discriminatory and segregating elements in society, and to protect the rights of disabled persons; at the same time proposals to ensure full participation of disabled persons in the decision-making processes;
(v) Enactment of rules and regulations to ensure that no new buildings or institutions are built without due consideration to the accessibility problem;
(vi) Prevention of disabilities, in accordance with specific guidelines to be developed;
(vii) Provision of technical aids and development of appropriate technologies for processing of indigenous resources;
(viii) public information and education campaigns;
(ix) Training programmes and strengthening of training institutions in developing countries;
(b) Regional and sub regional levels
(I) Strengthening the support services and institutes or offices for the
exchange of information, knowledge and experience, training of trainers and transfer of technologies;
(ii) Strengthening the regional commissions to help them develop suitable regional programmes;

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(c) International level
(i) Develop statistical and social research methodologies, including
techniques for constructing and maintaining data bases on disability, and assist interested countries in implementing these methods and techniques;
(ii) Select and compile appropriate indicators for monitoring and evaluating in connection with the World Programme of Action*
(iii) Promoting interdisciplinary and inter-organizational collaboration, inter alia, through convening workshops and seminars and the establishment of ad hoc inter-organizational task forces to study in depth specific issues or to advise on the arrangement of support services;
(iv) strengthening the international technical co-operation among developing countries in the disability field;
(v) Promoting transfer of appropriate technology and know-how and exchange of information between countries*
(vi) Supporting public education campaigns to promote the policies and recommendations contained in the World Programme of Action.
F. Activities of the Trust Fund
106. At the time of preparation of the present report, a total number
of 36 projects, representing a value of $US 726,343 have been funded, with an additional 37 project proposals earmarked for funding, representing a total value of $2,291,610. Some 40 projects are currently under review.
107. since the establishment of the Trust Fund, financial support has been provided
in the following areas:
(a) Advisory and consultative services concerning the design of national programmes for the prevention of disability, rehabilitation and equalization of opportunities for disabled persons;
(b) Preparation of technical manuals and documents to assist Governments in the field of statistics and data collection to be used as essential tools for launching programmes of action*
(c) Participation of representatives of least developed countries in meetings and seminars for the International Year of Disabled Persons;
(d) Cultural activities and community programmes;
(e) Establishment and strengthening of organizations of disabled persons;
(f) Support services for the exchange of technical information and the transfer of technology and know-how, including training courses, seminars and workshops*

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(g) Development and promotion of indigenous capacities and capabilities to deal more effectively with the prevention of disability, rehabilitation and integration of disabled persons in their societies.
108. A financial statement on the status of the Trust Fund for the biennium 1982-1983 ended 31 December 1983 is given in annex I. A brief description of a number of projects already financed, and others being considered for financing by the Trust Fund is given in annex II.
IV. EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR DISABLED PERSONS WITHIN THE UNITED NATIONS SYSTEM AND ACCESS TO ITS BUILDINGS, FACILITIES AND INFORMATION SOURCES
109. in the World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons, reference is made to disabled persons' relations to the United Nations system. Paragraphs 162 and 200 read as follows:
"162. in order to achieve the theme of the International Year of Disabled Persons, 'Full participation and equality', it is strongly urged that the United Nations system makes all its. facilities totally barrier-free, ensures that communication is fully available to sensorially impaired persons, and adopts an affirmative action plan that includes administrative policies and practices to encourage the employment of disabled persons in the entire United Nations system."
"200. The Secretary-General should report periodically on efforts by the United Nations and the specialized agencies to hire more disabled persons and to make their facilities and information more accessible to disabled persons."
A. Employment opportunities for disabled persons
110. The Administrative Committee on Co-ordination (ACC) has repeatedly given attention to the question of employment of disabled persons in the United Nations system. At the request of the ACC, this issue was examined for the first time by the Consultative Committee on Administrative Questions/Personnel and General Administrative Questions (CCAQ/PER) during its forty-first session in March 1975. The CCAQ/PER noted at that session that the organizations of the United Nations system employed a limited number of disabled persons. At its fifty-second session in 1980, it adopted a policy statement on the matter.
111. In 1981, the Consultative Committee on Substantive Questions/Programme Matters (CCSQ/PROG) received recommendations on the subject from the inter-agency meeting on the International Year of Disabled Persons, held at Vienna on 27 and
28 October 1981. At the request of CCSQ/PROG (ACC/1981/38/Annex III), the Organizational Committee of ACC referred the question of employment of disabled persons to CCAQ/PER for further consideration on an urgent basis (ACC/1982/8).
112. In compliance with this request, at its fifty-eighth session held in Geneva in
March 1983, CCAQ/PER considered the issue of employment on the basis of

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document ACC/1983/PER/12 of 23 February 1983 ("Employment of the disabled"), prepared by the International Labour Organization and the World Health Organization, containing recommendations for the implementation of the above-mentioned ACC policy statement on the employment of disabled persons. The CCAQ/PER endorsed those recommendations and agreed that the ACC policy statement should serve as a guideline to the United Nations system when employing disabled persons.
113. The ACC policy statement sets forth a range of statutory provisions to enhance employment opportunities for disabled persons. It recommends among other things that "the organizations should consider the inclusion in their staff regulations or rules of a phrase indicating that in the filling of vacancies there will be no discrimination on the grounds of the disability of a candidate who meets the required qualifications". It calls for the adoption of a common policy by the system on medical clearance for the employment of disabled persons. It further recommends specific policy measures for promoting awareness of the problems of disabled persons, adaptation of the work-place, transport to and from work-place, flexible working arrangements and social welfare to cater for the needs of disabled employees.
114. At its sixty-ninth session in June 1983, the International Labour Conference adopted two new international instruments: Convention 159 concerning Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Disabled Persons) and Recommendation (168) concerning Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Disabled Persons). These new standards were to update and supplement the International Labour Organization Recommendation 99 concerning Vocational Rehabilitation (Disabled) of 1955. These new instruments advocate, among other things, the need to ensure employment opportunities for disabled persons. Based on these recommendations, the International Labour Organization adopted a policy, embedded in its staff regulations (art. 4.2), on the employment of disabled persons. This article was incorporated in the ACC policy statement.
B. Access to United Nations buildings and facilities
115. At its second session in 1980, the Advisory Committee for the International
Year of Disabled Persons recommended that the United Nations and its specialized
agencies adopt a policy to make all facilities accessible to disabled persons
(A/35/444, sect. VII, recommendation 1 (II), para 4(e)). Upon the recommendation
of the Committee, the General Assembly in paragraph 8 of resolution 35/133 of
11 December 1980, requested the Secretary-General to examine the question of access to United Nations buildings, documents and information for persons with sensorial disabilities (visually and hearing-impaired persons). In response to this resolution, two studies of United Nations buildings in Geneva, New York and Vienna were carried out by consultants to assess the needs of persons with sensorial disabilities. In 1981, as mentioned in document A/35/444/Add.3, paragraph 3, the Secretary-General commissioned a similar study of modifications for United Nations Headquarters buildings required to meet the needs of mobility-impaired persons.
116. The implementation of the recommendations contained in these studies has led
to partial modifications of the physical environment of the United Nations

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buildings in Geneva and New York, the Vienna International Centre, and the facilities of the Office of the united Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Geneva.
C. Access to information sources
117. To date, persons with sensorial disabilities have little or no access to information sources of the United Nations system. For persons with impaired vision, United Nations documents and information material are generally not yet available in either Braille or audio formats. Some of the technical devices that would enhance access to printed or video material by visually and hearing-impaired persons are still lacking in the United Nations system. It is in recognition of this that the General Assembly, in resolution 35/133, paragraph 8, requested the Secretary-General to conduct the above-mentioned study on access to documents and information sources of the United Nations system for persons with sensorial disabilities.
118. For hearing-impaired persons, some of the United Nations documents and information material are available on film and in other video formats. The International Labour Organization publishes BLINDOC: "Information on the Rehabilitation and Employment of the Visually Handicapped" in Braille. Similarly, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization publishes the UNESCO Courier in English Braille and in audio format in English, French, Korean and Spanish. The Centre for Social Development and Humanitarian Affairs, with the assistance of the World Council for the welfare of the Blind, has transcribed the World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons into English Braille. In 1981, two issues of the News from the IYDP Secretariat were made available in English and French Braille.
V. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
A. Implementation of the world Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons
119. As indicated in section II, the Secretary-General of the United Nations finds it necessary that detailed guidelines on the implementation of the World Programme of Action during DDP should be worked out as soon as possible for Member States, bodies and agencies of the United Nations system and concerned non-governmental organizations. Particular attention should be given to the field of disability prevention. Member States should continue and, if necessary, strengthen the National Disability Committees and in particular pay attention that they comprise representatives of organizations of persons with disabilities. In this context, guidelines for the establishment and functioning of National Disability Committees as well as of organizations of disabled persons should be formulated.
B. The Trust Fund
120. Many activities at the national, regional and international levels are being undertaken to implement the recommendations of the World Programme of Action

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concerning Disabled Persons. There is, however, a great need to increase the flow of resources to developing countries in the fields of disability prevention, rehabilitation and equalization of opportunities for persons with disabilities, and a need for further financial support for implementation of the Programme of Action.
121. The Trust Fund has been an instrument for promoting, developing and strengthening activities concerning disabled persons, it has, in many cases, complemented other resources that have been made available for such activities, it has also enhanced co-operation among bodies of the United Nations system, between Governments and between organizations dealing with the question of disabled persons.
122. The General Assembly, in its resolution 37/53, proclaimed the period 1983-1992 United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons as a long-term plan of action, on the understanding that no additional resources from the United Nations system would be needed for this purpose. Extra budgetary resources would therefore be necessary and the Trust Fund, by implication, would be a means for financing many of the
activities to be undertaken at the national, regional and international levels to implement the World Programme of Action during the Decade.
123. The new name proposed for the Trust Fund, the united Nations Fund on Disability, would be consistent with the new dimensions of the Fund and its increased activities for implementation of the Programme of Action during the United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons.
124. The General Assembly in paragraph 5 of its resolution 37/53 encouraged the faecretary-General to find the means to provide the Centre for Social Development and Humanitarian Affairs of the Secretariat with the necessary resources to enable it to ensure the follow-up of the International Year of Disabled Persons and to facilitate the implementation of the World Programme of Action concerning Disabled persons. Such resources will be considered in the context of the overall requirements of the proposed 1986-1987 programme budget submission.
c. Employment and accessibility for disabled persons within the United Nations system
125. The United Nations system has initiated various measures to improve employment opportunities and access to its buildings, facilities and information services for persons with various types of disabilities. To help achieve the goal of full participation of disabled persons in the activities of the United Nations system, the General Assembly passed several resolutions, and the Administrative Committee on Co-ordination adopted a policy statement on employment of disabled persons. Some studies on these subjects were carried out.
126. To underscore the sustained efforts of the United Nations system, the following measures are recommended for implementation:
(a) All organizations of the United Nations system should make efforts to implement at the earliest possible date the recommendations contained in paragraph 162 of the World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons to make

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all its facilities totally barrier-free and to encourage employment of disabled persons in the entire United Nations system;
(b) The Administrative Committee on Co-ordination policy statement on employment of disabled persons (ACC/1983/9) should apply to all United Nations organizations as a guideline for recruitment and provision of services to disabled persons.

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ANNEX I International Year for Disabled Persons
Statement of income and expenditure for the biennium 1982-1983 ended 31 December 1983 (Dollars)

Income
Pledged contributions Public donations Interest income Miscellaneous income

Total income

351 371
146 535
332 175
6 580
836 661

Expenditure
Staff and other personnel costs
Travel
Contractual services
Operating expenses
Fellowships, grants, other
Subtotal
Programme support costs
Total expenditure Excess of income over expenditure

61 076
2 986
5 640
3
204 761
274 466
31 961
306 427
530 234

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II. Statement of assets and liabilities as at 31 December 1983
(dollars)
Assets
1 568 689 22 755 26 293
1 617 737
Cash
Pledged contributions unpaid (schedule 15.4.1)
Accounts receivable
Total assets

Liabilities
Unliquidated obligations
Due to United Nations General Fund
Deferred income
Total liabilities

30 926 23 332
20 755
75 013

Fund balance
Balance available 1 January 1982
Add: excess of income over expenditure
Balance available 31 December 1983

1 012 490 530 234
1 542 724

Total liabilities and fund balance 1 617 737

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ANNEX II
Projects financed by the United Nations Trust Fund for the International Year of Disabled Persons
1. Promotional activities
1. The international Year of Disabled Persons (IYDP) Trust Fund, with a modest financial contribution and technical input ($46,678), has helped facilitate
regional gathering in Africa Asia and the Pacific, Latin America and Western Asia in 1980-1981, to improve exchange of information and experience among countries having similar cultural backgrounds and levels of development. These gatherings have ultimately paved the way for the development of regional and sub regional activities in the disability field, in this regard, the IYDP Trust Fund contributed $88,000 towards financing the following projects initiated as a follow-up to the above-mentioned regional gatherings:
(a) Caribbean Symposium on Technical Co-operation and Technical Assistance in Kingston, Jamaica, from 17 September to 30 October 1982;
(b) Expert Conference on Utilization of Local Manpower and Technology for Disability-Related Services in Rural and Poverty Areas of the Asia and Pacific Region, in Manila, Philippines, February 1982;
(c) summary of Regional Technical Information on Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation for the Asia and Pacific Region;
(d) Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific project on Asia and the Pacific Regional Resource Network Programme for Strengthening Regional Technical Co-operation in the Disability Field;
(e) Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific Social Development Newsletter
(f) East and Southern African Conference on Rehabilitation (Mbabane, Swaziland, 8 to 19 November 1982;
(g) Consultations of the Chairman of the Senegalese Deaf Association, with 21 African countries interested in the establishment of a Panafrican research and training institute on deafness;
(h) Preparation by the Economic Commission for Africa of a regional programme concerning disabled persons.
2. Support to organizations of disabled persons
2. Resources disbursed or earmarked amounted to $680,750. The following activities have been financed under the IYDP Trust Funds
(a) The First and Second Executive Meetings of the World Coalition of Persons with Disabilities, February 1981, California, the United states of America!

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(b) The First World Congress of Disabled Peoples' International (DPI), Singapore, December 1981, which adopted a charter, a plan of action, a manifesto and a declaration called the Singapore Declaration of DPI. The DPI World Council Meeting held in Tokyo in June 1982 decided on the preparation of a development programme, the organization of leadership training seminars in developing regions, and the creation of a world-wide network of national and regional organizations of disabled persons;
(c) Disabled Peoples' International Self-help Training Programmes among Disabled Persons aim at encouraging and facilitating training of disabled persons in developing regions in organizational development, leadership development and technology sharing. Ninety disabled people from 45 developing countries participated in and received training at leadership training seminars. It is estimated that about 50 organizations benefited from programmes that national umbrella organizations of disabled persons have initiated, and that several hundred new organizations of disabled people have been established at all levels since the first DPI World Congress;

(d) Disabled Peoples' International Seminar on the World Programme, 20-25 August 1983, Turku, Finland. As a follow-up to this Seminar, a kit was produced to include guidelines for DPI national representatives on how to implement and disseminate the World Programme;
(e) A DPI self-help training programme for disabled persons in the Gulf area is being prepared;
(f) Leadership Training Seminar of the West African Federation of Associations for the Advancement of Disabled Persons was held on 7-15 December 1982 in Dakar, Senegal, with the participation of leaders of disabled persons organizations from 13 West African countries and representatives of international disabled persons' organizations from Canada, France and the United States of America. The Seminar identified five priority areas and proposed a plan of action of the Federation for 1983, which was adopted by the First General Assembly of the Federation held in Dakar on 16 December 1982. The programme of activities includes the publication of a newsletter, the strengthening of the already existing organizations of disabled persons in the sub region, the assistance to groups of disabled persons to help them establish their own organizations, and the development of small-scale development projects;
(g) strengthening the capacities of the West African Federation of
Associations for the Advancement of Disabled Persons, for the purpose of the
implementation of the above programme of activities is being planned. Of the
15 organizations for disabled persons in the west African region, two organizations will benefit from the training course, four organizations will receive consultancy services and four persons will benefit from study tours;
(h) Support to the World Council for the Welfare of the Blind to issue International Newsletter for the Deaf-Blind (1983-1984 edition). The issue contained brief reports on new developments in education, rehabilitation and social services to sensorially disabled persons, reports on research activities and news about developments in the field (number of copies: 1,000 ink print and 1,000 Braille);

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(I) Support to the World Council for the welfare of the Blind: with the
support of the Trust Fund, the Council convened a conference in Paris in April 1983 of organizations of and for disabled persons to discuss the possibility of transforming the proposed International Labour Organization recommendation on vocational rehabilitation and employment into a convention, in view of the Proximity of the International Labour Conference, which was to be held in June the same year. This initiative achieved its objective, as mentioned in chapter 11, section C above;

(j) Support to the Association des Centres pour handicap& d’Afrigue central
(ACHAC), with the objective of promoting co-operation among ACHAC members so as to improve the situation of disabled persons in the Central African sub region, and help ACHAC becoming a clearing-house for the exchange of information and knowledge in the field of disability among the francophone Central African countries. Twenty-one organizations are at present members of ACHAC in the following countries: Burundi ( S ) , Cameroon (I), Rwanda (6) and Zaire (9). Twenty-seven Central African centres for disabled persons, which are not yet ACHAC members, might become members when the project is fully operational: Cameraon (B), Congo ( 3 ) , Rwanda (2) and Zaire (14);

(k) Support to the Senegalese Association of the Deaf, to undertake
preparatory activities for establishing a Panafrican research and training
institute on deafness. This includes consultations of the Chairman of the
Association with 20 African countries concerned, holding an International
Colloquium on deafness and support to the First Panafrican Assembly of Deaf
Persons. It is expected that these activities will lead to:

(1) The harmonization of policies and programmes concerning persons with
hearing disabilities in Africa as far as prevention, rehabilitation and
staff training are concerned!
(ii) Possible adoption of statutes of a Panafrican institute on deafness;
(iii) The creation of a Panafrican deaf organization;
(iv) Adoption of a common strategy on the funding of the project!
(1) Support to the International League of Societies for Persons with Mental
Handicap (a federation of 85 societies in 70 countries on five continents). The
League has organized an intensive Asian Training Workshop in Family Management of
Problems arising from Mental Retardation in Hong Kong, 12-18 April 1982. Thirteen
teams of three persons each from 12 countries in the Asian region participated in
the workshop. Members of the teams included a parent, a teacher and a community
worker;
(m) Support to the International Federation of the Blind (IFB), for the
publication of Braille International! to convene an IFB East-Asian Committee
Meeting; and to establish two IFB sub-committees in Kenya and Zaire;

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(n) Rehabilitation international has proposed to stimulate and monitor action in selected target areas of disability prevention during the United Nations Decade of Disabled persons. Simple basic manuals and information kits on poliomyelitis, family involvement, traffic accidents, planning and activity for the development of organizations representing disabled people and their families will be developed. It is expected that about 200 organizations representing disabled persons will be involved in the activity;
(o) Support to the Pakistan Association of the Blind for the establishment of a Resource and Training Centre for Blind Women. Thirty to 50 blind women will be trained by the Centre in home-management skills;
(p) Association marline pour la promotion des handicapes physiques. within the context of primary health care, the Association will undertake training of disabled persons in rural areas.
3. studies and Research
3. The area of disability statistics received $168,000 to finance the following:
(a) Compilation and analysis of census methods used in obtaining disability data; co-operative advantages and limitations of different types of census and/or survey questions on disabilities in the region covered by the Economic Commission for Western Asia (Egypt, Iraq, Lebanon, Syrian Arab Republic);
(b) Development of statistics and indicators on disabled persons, using household surveys, including the holding of an Expert Group Meeting on Development of Statistics on Disabled Persons;
(c) Follow-up activities: finalization of the report for publication of the manual;
(d) Assistance to Gulf countries in the field of disability statistics;
(e) Systematic enumeration of disabled persons in the Congo.
4. Other studies include: the preparation of EGA and ESCAP regional programmes
on disabled persons, and an ESCAP study on disability in selected least-developed
countries. Research and study on deaf persons in Africa and the Middle East,
preparatory activities for the establishing of a Panafrican institute on deafness
and the development of a Panama sign language, and the preparation of a manual on
co-operatives of disabled persons.
4. Education, training and related equipment
5. This field comprises the largest activity of the Fund's resources: $247,550
have so far been released. The projects financed concern:

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(a) Development of teaching and learning materials for disabled children and youth, and for training disabled women in home-management skills in Egypt, Pakistan and Uruguay (Braille textbooks, special equipment and technical aids);
(b) Training of visually disabled persons in basic agricultural practices, the development of agricultural techniques and educational methods appropriate to visually disabled persons and alternative rural employment opportunities (Tunisia);
(c) Integration of disabled persons in rural areas by upgrading traditional rehabilitation skills (Mali);
(d) Development of transitional opportunities for disabled graduates in the production workshops in order to equip them with pre-employment experience (Swaziland);
(e) Establishment of a national vocational centre (Sudan);
(f) Training of trainers in organizational development (Mali, Senegal, Disabled Peoples' International and the West African Federation of Associations for the Advancement of Disabled Persons); and in family management of problems arising from mental retardation (International League of Societies for Persons with Mental Handicap) and the training of mentally disabled adolescents (Haiti);
(9) Upgrading of skills of instructors and training technicians in prosthetics/orthotics and community-based services and locally produced technical aids (Ljubljana, Yugoslavia - Rehabilitation Service, Dominican Republic and Mediterranean and Near East countries);
(h) Technical training of disabled persons through radio and television courses and equipment of a training centre (Lebanon); equipment for a blind musicians' orchestra in Zaire; sub regional training course for existing personnel, technical aids and related expenses in East Africa.
5. Exchange of technical information and transfer of know-how and technology
6. The amount of money spent totals $156,298 of which $29,295 were disbursed for the financing of the following activities, some of which have already been mentioned above:
(a) Summary of regional technical information on disability prevention and rehabilitation in Asia and Pacific: a compilation of technical information data on country programmes and services disseminated to all countries of the region on a biannual basis;
(b) The Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific Social Development Newsletter on IYDP; information kits, leaflets and manual on disability prevention and family involvement by Rehabilitation International; World Council for the Welfare of the Blind, International Newsletter for the Deaf-Blind (1983 and 1984 editions);

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(c) African Rehabilitation journal, within the framework of the African Rehabilitation Institute; International Federation of the Blind, Braille international, English contracted Braille; Appropriate Health Resources and Technologies Action Group (AHRTAG), manual on lower-limb prostheses suitable for developing countries;
(d) west African Federation for the Advancement of Disabled Persons (Bulletin of Liaison), Sri Lanka, IYDP Bulletin;
(e) Turkey IYDP Committee (translation and publication in Turkish of the IYDP Plan of Action).
6. National and regional programmes and national planning
7. There is a great need for planning and integrating activities related to disability within the overall socio-economic plan and it is expected that more resources will be devoted to this area in the years to come, especially during the Decade of Disabled Persons. Under this priority area, which received $120,000, the following activities have been undertaken:
(a) Regional commissions: Assistance to the Economic Commission for Africa and the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific for the preparation of regional programmes concerning disabled persons;
(b) Assistance to developing countries, at the request of their Governments, in the preparation of national programmes and the review of existing programmes or projects;
(c) Support to IYDP National Committees in Sri Lanka and Turkey.
7. Support services and regional institutes - implementation of provisions contained in General Assembly resolution 36/77 and paragraph 178 of the World programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons
8. General Assembly resolution 36/77 of 8 December 1981 stresses the importance of strengthening support services for the exchange of technical information and transfer of technology and know-how, as well as other activities for the development of technical co-operation in the fields of prevention, rehabilitation and equalization of opportunities in developing countries. In paragraph 178 of the World Programme, the Member States are encouraged, in co-operation with regional bodies and commissions, to establish regional (or sub regional) institutes or offices to promote the interests of persons with a disability, in consultation with organizations of disabled persons and the appropriate international organizations. The institutes should also provide other activities related to the objectives of the world Programme.

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(a) The Ljubljana Institute
9. The Technical Co-operation Support Service for Rehabilitation of Disabled
Persons at the Rehabilitation Institute in Ljubljana is based upon an offer made by
the Government of Yugoslavia mentioned in document A/36/711 and resolution 36/77.
The Service intends to undertake activities within the following areas:
(a) Exchange of technical information, output8
(b) Transfer of technology and know-how, including the development of basic
standards
(c) Training of trainers, including the elaboration or exchange of basic
training standards
(d) Development of models of services.
10. The Yugoslav Government has formed a Co-ordination Committee for the
Preparation of the programme of the Service and implementation of the related
preparatory measures. The Government has furthermore provided 300,000 Yugoslav new
dinars for the initial activities of the Service and earmarked a cettain amount its
national indicative planning figure for this purpose.
11. The Rehabilitation Institute in Ljubljana provides, out of its current
resources, necessary professional staff, some basic equipment and other material
support for the initial activities of the Service, and the Government of the
Socialist Republic of Slovenia completed in May 1984 the construction of the
Institute's new wing where the Service is situated.
12. So far, the following activities were organized by the Ljubljana Service:
(a) An International Seminar on Community Services and Locally Produced
Technical Aids for Disabled Persons, 1-22 October 1982, attended by 26 experts from
all regions of the world:
(b) An International Training Course for Instructors in Prosthetics/Orthotics
of the Near East and Mediterranean Areas, 21 May to 3 June 1984, attended by
39 participants and five observers from 21 countries, five United Nations
organizations and three non-governmental organizations.
13. The IYDP Trust Fund contributed $140,000 for the financing of these
two meetings.
(b) Asia and the Pacific
14. At the regional Level, support services in disability prevention,
rehabilitation and equalization of opportunities for disabled persons among Asian and Pacific countries have been initiated by the Philippines National Commission concerning Disabled Persons. The Philippines Support Service intends to promote, initiate, assist and stimulate the rapid growth of disability-related services in the Asia-pacific region.

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15. The objectives of the Philippines Support Service concern the exchange of
information, the development of research and training programmes for professionals
para-professionals and community workers, the organization of a pool of experts
drawn from the region to serve as task forces in the initiation and strengthening
of programme services within the region
c. The Caribbean area
16. Following a recommendation of the Caribbean Symposium on Technical
Co-operation concerning Disabled Persons held in Kingston, Jamaica, from
27 September to 10 October 1982, a project proposal for the establishment of a Caribbean centre for technical co-operation in providing service for disabled persons was elaborated. It is the intention that the centre will be organized as an intergovernmental agency of the countries.