UN Human Rights Treaties

UNITED A
NATIONS
General Assembly Distr.
GENERAL
A/41/605
23 September 1986
ORIGINAL. ENGLISH
Forty-first session Agenda item 90
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE WORLD PROGRAMME OF ACTION CONCERNING DISABLED PERSONS AND THE UNITED NATIONS DECADE OF DISABLED PERSONS
Report of the Secretary-General
CONTENTS
Paragraphs Page
I. INTRODUCTION 1-5 3
II. IMPLFMENTATION OF THE WORLD PROGRAMME OF ACTION CONCERNING
DISABLED PERSONS AND THE UNITED NATIONS DECADE OF DISABLED
PERSONS ... 6-66 3
A. Activities of Member States 6 - 15 3
B. Measures undertaken by the United Nations system 16-35 8
C. Activities of non-governmental organizations 36-40 11
D. Publicity of the United Nations’ Decade of
Disabled Persons by Member States and the
United Nations system 41 - 45 13
E. Mid-Decade questionnaire 46-51 15
F. Voluntary Fund for the United Nations Decade of
Disabled Persons 52-62 16
G. Inter-organizational task forces 63-66 20
III. CONCLUSIONS AND SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER ACTION.. 67-71 21
86-23651 2629d (E) /...

A/41/605 English Page 2
CONTENTS (continued)
Page
ANNEXES
I. PROJECTS SUPPORTED BY THE VOLUNTARY FUND FOR THE UNITED NATIONS
DECADE OF DISABLED PERSONS, FROM JANUARY 1985 TO JULY 1986,
BY REGION 24
II. PROJECTS BEING PROPOSED FOR CO-FINANCING 26
III. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF THE VOLUNTARY FUND FOR THE UNITED NATIONS
DECADE OF DISABLED PERSONS 28
IV. CONTRIBUTIONS AND PLEDGES TO THE VOLUNTARY FUND FOR THE UNITED NATIONS
DECADE OF DISABLED PERSONS AS AT 31 DECEMBER 1985 30

A/41/605 English Page 3
I. INTRODUCTION
1. By its resolution 40/31 of 29 November 1985, the General Assembly took note of the report of the Secretary-General on the implementation of the World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons and the United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons (A/40/728 and Corr.l), set out a number of objectives in connection with these programmers and requested the Secretary-General to report to the Assembly at its forty-first session on the implementation of the same resolution. The present report is submitted in response to Assembly resolution 40/31.
2. Pursuant to General Assembly resolution 40/31, the Secretary-General circulated a note verbal on 26 February 1986 to Governments requesting information on (a) establishment and reinforcement of national committees as focal points for the United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons, (b) translation of the World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons (A/37/351/Add.1) into national languages, (c) participation in the first round of monitoring the implementation of the World Programme of Action, (d) contributions to and, as appropriate, support received from the Voluntary Fund for the United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons, and (e) publicity of the Decade. As at 5 August 1986, replies to the note verbale had been received from 33 Governments. 1/
3. In addition, information on activities by the United Nations system to further the implementation of the World Programme of Action, to promote the employment of disabled persons, and on preparations for the 1987 meeting of experts to evaluate progress at the mid-point of the Decade, as well as on the establishment of inter-organizational task forces, was requested from United Nations organs and bodies. As at 5 August 1986, replies had been received from 16 bodies and organizations of the United Nations system. 2/
4. Information was also requested and received from the Council of World Organizations Interested in the Handicapped, as well as the Disabled Peoples' International and a number of other concerned international non-governmental organizations, which are indicated in the present report {see paras. 36-40).
5. The present report is based on the above-mentioned replies and other information available to the United Nations Secretariat. The report should also be read in conjunction with the report of the Secretary-General on the implementation of the World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons and the United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons (A/40/728 and Corr.l).
II. IMPLEMENTATION OF THE WORLD PROGRAMME OF ACTION CONCERNING DISABLED PERSONS AND THE UNITED NATIONS DECADE OF DISABLED PERSONS
A. Activities of Member States
1. National committees
6. It might be recalled that detailed information received from 44 Governments on
the reinforcement of national committees or similar bodies was presented in
document A/40/728 and Corr. 1. In addition, 27 Governments replied as at

A/41/605 English Page 4
5 August 1986 to the note verbal of the Secretary-General of 26 February 1985 concerning the establishment and reinforcement of national committees as focal points for the United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons.
7. Given the complexity of the subject and the nature of the information available, a comprehensive review and analysis of the organization and functioning of national committees or similar bodies will be undertaken in connection with preparations for the meeting of experts scheduled for 1987 to evaluate progress at the mid-point of the Decade. This will be included in the report that the Secretary-General will submit to the General Assembly at its forty-second session in order to assist the Assembly to evaluate the implementation of the World Programme of Action at mid-Decade. The following paragraphs represent therefore a preliminary analysis of information available.
8. National committees or similar bodies established for the 1981 International Year of Disabled Persons continue to serve as the co-coordinating bodies to promote activities in support of the United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons in the following countries! Burundi, Chile, Colombia, Cyprus, Dominican Republic, Ethiopia, German Democratic Republic, Ghana, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Kenya, Mongolia, Philippines, Saint Lucia, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles, Suriname, Sweden, United Arab Emirates, Vanuatu and Zambia.
9. The work of some of the national committees for the International Year of Disabled Persons has been transferred to the private sector. Monitoring of activities in support of the Decade in Belgium is carried out by three consultative committees on disability issues. The functions of the National Committee for the International Year of Disabled Persons in the Netherlands were transferred to existing organization! of disabled persons. In New Zealand, the affairs of the National Committee for the Year were transferred to the Disabled Persons Assembly (New Zealand), Inc., which reviews developments since the Year was proclaimed and sets directives for the future.
10. Several Governments reported that the promotion and co-ordination of disability-related activities and the Decade had been assumed by a governmental body in Bahrain, the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs} in Belize, the Ministry of Local Government, Social Services and Community Development; in Cuba, the Ministry of Health) in Ecuador, the Ministry of Social Welfare, through the "Direcci6n National de Rehabilitations Integral del Minusvalidos" (National Office for Integrated Rehabilitation of Disabled Persons)) in Jordan, the Follow-up Bureau for the Year, Ministry of Social Development) in Mali, the Ministry of Public Health and Social Affairs) in Mauritius, the Ministry for Employment and Security) in Niger, the Ministry of Public Health and Social Affairs) in the Republic of Korea, the Rehabilitation Division, Ministry of Health and Social Affairs, with the Ministry of Education administering special education programmes) in Sri Lanka, the National Steering Committee on the Decade, Ministry of Health) in Thailand, the Committee on Welfare and Rehabilitation of Disabled Persons, Ministry of the Interior; and in Turkey, the Co-ordinating Council for the Protection of Disabled Persons, Ministry of Labour and Social Security.

A/41/605 Enqlish Page 5
11. The functions of the Nation-1 Committee for the International Year of Disabled Persona in Bangladesh were transferred to the Handicapped Services Co-ordinatinq Committee, a standing committee of the National Co-ordination Council for Social Services. The focal point for the Decade in Canada is the Status of Disabled Persons Secretariat in the federal Department of Secretary of State,which provides policy advice on disability-related issues and carries out liaison between the Government and the community. The People's Republic of China approved in 1986 the establishment of the China Organizing Committee for the Decade, which is headed by the Ministry of Civil Affairs and includes representatives of concerned Ministries and organizations of disabled persons. The China Welfare Fund for the Handicapped, a national non-governmental organization, provides secretariat support to the Committee. Czechoslovakia formulated a "Plan for the Development of Care for Disabled Persons till the Year 1991" in support of the Decade, and the Federal Minister of Labour and Social Affairs established in 1984 a special working group to co-ordinate the implementation of the Plan. In Denmark the "Handicap Sociastyrelsen" (the Central Handicap Council), a governmental council, monitors and evaluates the situation of disabled persons. Finland established a Council of Disabled Persons on 11 June 1986. Promotion and co-ordination of disability-related measures in the Federal Republic of Germany are undertaken by the Federal Government, governments of the Federal Lander, local authorities and associations of disabled persons. The Federal Government reports to the Parliament during each legislation term on the situation of disabled persons. In Japan, the Headquarters’ for Promoting the Welfare of Disabled Persons and the Central Mentally and Physically Handicapped Persons Measures Council promote and co-ordinate measures related to disabled persons. Pakistan has established a National Committee on the Decade, with the Minister for ***., Special Education and Social Welfare as the co-coordinator in-chief of the national programmer for the Decade. In Poland, a hiqh-level Joint Council on the Aging, Invalids and Disabled Persons, chaired by a Deputy Prime Minister, has been established at the Council of Ministers. Uruguay established provisions to plan, co-ordinate and carry out vocational rehabilitation policies through its National Committee for Vocational Rehabilitation. Yugoslavia established in 1984 the Yugoslav Committee for the Decade to monitor, harmonize and organize activities in its support- committees have been established in the eight federal units. The National Committee for the Decade in Zaire is headed by the State Commissioner for the Status of Women and Social Affairs.
12. Other organizational arrangements to promote and co-ordinate activities in the disability field were the following: C6te d'lvoire established in 1984 the "Comitee national de l'action social" (National Committee for Social Action), a consultative body comprised of representatives of governmental and non-governmental organizations, which advises on measures related to disabled persons. El Salvador reported that, althouqh a national committee for the Decade has not yet been established, the Executive Board of the Salvadorian Institute for Rehabilitation of Disabled Persons seeks to co-ordinate measures of benefit to disabled persons, with emphasis on physical rehabilitation. In Mexico, "El Sistema Nacional para el Desarrollo Integral de la Familia" (National System for Inteqrated Development of the Family) promotes co-operation with governmental and non-qovermental organizations to effect co-ordinated measures of benefit to disabled persons. Norway reported that, since the needs of disabled persons are met by the same

A/41/605 Enqlish Page 6
authorities as for the population in general, the Government has not established a permanent committee to co-ordinate disability-related activities, althouqh the Ministry of Social Affairs is responsible for the co-ordination of services and counsellinq bodies at county and municipal levels. The United Kinqdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland reported that it has not established a formal co-ordination structure for the Decade but draws upon advice and expertise available from an existinq network of qovernmental bodies and non-qovernmental organizations. In the United States of America, promotion and co-ordination of disability-related activities and the Decade is beinq undertaken by both qovernmental and non-qovernmental orqanizations: the National Council on the Handicapped, an independent federal agency whose members are appointed by the President, addresses, analyses and submits recommendations on public policy issues related to disabled persons: the Federal Task Force on Disabled Persons, which has its origins’ in the Federal Interaqency Committee for the International Year of Disabled Persons, meets reqularly to exchanqe information and promote co-ordination of disability policies and programmers: the National Organization on Disability, a non-qovernmental orqanization, is actively promoting the Decade.
13. To assist Governments in reinforcing national disability committees or similar
bodies, the Centre for Social Development and Humanitarian Affairs, in the
Department of International Economic and Social Affairs of the United Nations
Secretariat, has as one of its outputs for the programme of work 1986-1987 a
technical publication on quidelines for the establishment and functioning of
national disability committees and orqanization of disabled persons. One
conclusion of the quidelines is that national committees require an appropriate
policy framework, priority and provision of resources and personnel on a
predictable and sustained basis commensurate with their duties and
responsibilities. The quidelines will serve as a backqround document for an
interregional meting of selected national disability committees, scheduled to be
organized during 1988 by the Centre and the Department of Technical Co-operation
for Development.
2. Translation of the World Programme of Action into national languages
14. The following Governments submitted information concerning the translation of
the World Programme of Action: Belgium (Flemish), Ethiopia (Amharic), Federal
Republic of Germany (German), India (Hindi), Japan (Japanese), Kenya (Kiswahili),
Portugal (Portuguese), Republic of Korea (Korean), Sweden (Swedish) and Yugoslavia
(Serbo-Croat). Cyprus, Denmark and Pakistan reported that the World Programme of
Action is currently being translated into their respective national language.
Norway reported that, instead of translating the World Programme of Action into
Norwegian, its national committee had prepared a national disability programme
appropriate to Norwegian conditions. Similar action is reported underway in
El Salvador.

A/41/605 Enqlish Paqe 7
3. Bilateral assistance
15. Replies received from Governments indicate that special attention is beinq accorded to disability concerns in a number of bilateral development assistance programmers. In Belgium, the "Administration qenerale da la cooperation au developpement" annually provides financial assistance for selected projects in the disability field identified and executed by non-qovernmental orqanizations. Embassies of Canada and its High Commissioners in developing countries have been requested to aive special consideration to projects for disabled persons which may be funded under the Mission Administered Funds programmer of the Canadian International Development Aqency (CIDA). As of 1982, CIDA was supporting 30 bilateral development co-operation projects in the health and population fields, with a five-year budget of approximately $Can 60 million, that included such disability-related components as comprehensive immunization, vector-borne disease control, poliomyelitis vaccine production, village health training, and maternal and child health care. CIDA also provides support to Disabled Peoples' International (an international non-qovernmental orqanization), which totalled $Can 425,000 for 1983-1986. Denmark reported that the Danish International Development Authority (DANIDA) attaches great importance to assistinq projects in the disability field which serve to integrate disabled persons into the qeneral social system. Japan reported that bilateral assistance provided
disability-related projects through the Japan International Co-operation Agency for 1984 and 1985, including support to national disability projects, orqanization of training programmers, dispatch of experts and provision of grants of equipment to disabled persons. The German Democratic Republic reported that on the basis of agreements concluded with a number of States and through voluntary donations, it undertakes large-scale activities to improve the situation of disabled persons. Norway reported that projects on disability prevention, rehabilitation and equalization of opportunities of disabled persons in developing countries are given high priority in its bilateral assistance programmers. The Norweqian Government also provides support for selected disability projects run by national non-qovernmental orqanizations. In Sweden, the Swedish International Development Authority (SIDA) established , special study group to ensure that disability-related concerns are appropriately incorporated in bilateral assistance programmers: this led to the orqanization of special training activities for development assistance personnel and the formulation of quidelines on disability issues and bilateral assistance. The United Kingdom reported that support for disablility-related projects is provided both on a qovernment-to-qovernment basis and in collaboration with concerned non-governmental organizations. For instance, the Overseas Development Administration co-operated with the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare in Pakistan in the development of education centers for deaf children and, in India, a project was funded jointly with Christian Aid for the establishment of a vocational rehabilitation centre for the blind. The United States reported that the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is supporting programmers with a number of private voluntary organizations that provide assistance to disabled persons, which totalled for 1984, $US 4.5 million.

A/41/605 Enqlish Page 8
B. Measures undertaken by the United Nations system
1. Introduction
16. Economic and Social Council resolution 1986/16, adopted on 22 May 1986, called on all bodies and orqailzations of the United Nations system to ensure that disabled persons are represented in their assistance proqrammes and that the concerns of disabled persons are taken into account in their overall planning objectives. During the period under review, United Nations bodies and organization carried out, within their respective spheres of competence and in accordance with their programmer of work, a wide range of activities aimed at furthering the implementation of the World Proqramme of Action. Co-ordination of activities in the disability field by the United Nations system was considered at the fourth inter-agency meeting on the United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons, held at Vienna, from 5 to 7 March 1986, and by the Consultative Committee on Substantive Questions (Proqramme matters) of the Administrative Committee on Co-ordination, at its first regular session of 1986.
17. In the United Nations Secretariat, the Centre for Social Development and Humanitarian Affairs (CSDHA), in the Department of International Economic and Social Affairs, completed! (a) a technical publication entitled "Disability: situation, strategies and policies", (b) a study entitled "Extent, causes and consequences of disability" and (c) with consultant inputs from disabled persons themselves, three studies on access to United Nations facilities. The Centre sponsored an expert group meeting on "Legislation on equalization of opportunities for disabled persons", that was organized by Rehabilitation International, an international non-qovernmental orqanization, at Vienna, from 2 to 6 June 1986. Financial assistance for convening the meeting was provided by the Voluntary Fund for the United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons. The Statistical Office of the Department of International Economic and Social Affairs, in co-operation with the Centre, has continued to work on disability statistics and is currently preparing a technical publication on the use of household surveys to collect disability-related statistics. The coverage of disabled persons in population censuses will be reviewed by the Statistical Commission during 1987 in connection with the preparation of supplementary recommendations for the 1985-1994 World Population and Housing Census Proqramme.
18. IMPACT, the International Initiative Against Avoidable Disablement, continues to promote disability prevention and effective rehabilitation through accelerated delivery of appropriate, low-cost techniques. A new area of emphasis is the prevention of hearing disabilities through assistance in establishing regional centers for ear specialists. Since the launching of the African IMPACT programme in 1984, national programmers have been inaugurated in Guinea, Kenya, Mali, Mauritania and Swaziland. With an IMPACT programmers underway in India since 1983, a million blind people have now had their sight restored through a low-cost cataract operation and thousands of physically disabled persons have regained mobility through simple muscle operations. IMPACT programmers’ are planned for Latin America, starting in Brazil, Colombia and Saint Lucia, in co-operation with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and Rotary International) and for Southeast Asia, starting in Thailand.

A/41/605 Enqlish Paqe 9
19. The Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) convened three ad hoc regional inter-agency consultations on disability-related concerns during 1985 and 1986. ESCAP has formulated a regional disability proqramme for the 1986-1987 biennium, to be carried out with financial support from the Voluntary Fund for the United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons, that includes the following proqramme activities: (a) organization of a regional fellowship proqramme for national personnel responsible for planning and organizing disability prevention and rehabilitation services (Manila, 9-27 June 1986), (b) preparation of a directory of resources available for disability-related activities in Asia and the Pacific) (c) assistance to selected least-developed countries in Asia and the Pacific on national disability programmesj (d) orqanization of a regional seminar on the planninq and orqanization of national training Programmes on disability prevention and rehabilitation, scheduled to be held in Indonesia (fourth quarter, 1986); and (e) orginization of a regional meetinq of experts to review the implementation of the World Proqramme of Action at mid-Decade.
20. Buildinq upon its recent "Study on the situation of disabled persons in Africa", which was financed b: a grant from the Voluntary Fund for the United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons, the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) is finalizinq a regional proqramme of action concerninq disabled persons that will provide strategy options and guidelines appropriate to the Africa region for the implementation of the World Proqramme of Action within the framework of the Decade. It is expected that the draft proqramme of action will be considered by the Fifth Conference of African Ministers of Social Affairs, scheduled to take place at Abidjan (Cote d'lvoire) during the first quarter of 1987. ECA continues to work closely with the Organization of African Unity and the International Labour Organisation (ILJ) in the development of the African Rehabilitation Institute for Disabled Persons.
21. The Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) is currently compilinq information on disability-related resources to serve as the basis for the issuance of periodic regional directories on the subject.
2. Technical co-operation
22. The Department of Technical Co-operation for Development (DTCD), in co-operation with the Centre for Social Development and Humanitarian Affairs, provided advisory services on disability policies and programmes to 14 countries durinq the 1984-1985 biennium: Anaola, Bahrain, China, Djibouti, Guinea, Jamaica, Jordan, Kuwait, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Madagascar, Malta, Morocco, Peru and Philippines. DTCD is also executinq a larqe-scale institution buildinq project in Mauritania on the establishment of a "National Orthopedic and Rehabilitation Centre" at Nouakchott. DTCD reports that advisory services in the disability field will continue to be available durinq the 1986-1987 biennium, and that disability concerns will be incorporated, as appropriate, in its technical co-operation activities.
23. The United Nations Hiqh Commissioner for Refuqees (UNHCR) supported 26 projects durinag 1985 to meet the needs of a total of 5,719 disabled refugees in Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America. UNHCR also provided severely disabled

A/41/605 Enqlish Paqe 10
refugees with specialized medical treatment abroad and resettlement, as appropriate, which were financed from a Special Trust Fund established in 1981. Because of the current level of contributions to the Special Fund, these services miqht have to be suspended in the near future.
24. The United Nations Relief and Works Aqency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) continues to provide disabled persons among the Palestinian refugee population with a variety of services, including the training of severely disabled children, operating a training centre for visually disabled persons in the Gaza Strip, and providing basic education, training and home-based services to visuaTly-disabled persons in a number of refugee camps. UNRWA orqanized a community centre for disabled refugees in Jordan in collaboration with the international non-qovernmental organization, OXFAM.
25. Followinq the severe volcanic eruption in Colombia in November 1985, the Office of the United Nations Disaster Relief Co-ordinator (UNDRO) channelled funds collected from United Nations staff to a project to provide artificial limbs to approximately 100 persons disabled by the disaster.
26. The Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Disabled Persons) Convention (1983), member 159, became operative on 20 June 1985 and has been ratified by nine ILO Member Stater so far. During 1985, ILO provided nearly 50 developing countries with expert and consultant assistance, advisory services, fellowships and equipment, with special attend beinag directed to alleviatinq the shortage of national vocational rehabilitation personnel.
27. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Orqanization (UNESCO) directs special attention to improving methods and procedures for the integration of disabled children and youth into normal educational structures, and to adaptinq or reinforcinq teacher traininq programmes to incorporate disability concerns. During the biennium 1984-1985, more than 60 countries benefited from UNESCO's technical co-operation activities in the special education field. For the biennium 1986-1087, UNESCO's technical co-operation activities will focus on the development and strengthe . no of education and train no programitiv to meet specific needs of disabled persons.
28. The United Nations Childran's Fund (UNICEF) has formulated policy guidelines on childhood disability prevention and rehabilitation which emphasize (a) effective prevention of childhood impairments, (b) early detection and intervention measures and (c) use of the family and the community as primary vehicles for services delivery. UNICEF reported that activities related to childhood disability prevention and rehabilitation, with emphasis on community-level action, were included in 34 country proqramminq exercises, which reflects increased governmental awareness and commitment on behalf of disabled persons.
29. At its 1985 session, the Conference of the Food and Aqriculture Orqanization of the United Nations (FAO) requested that disability prevention In rural areas be intensified and technical assistance and support services expanded. FAO, which is currently promoting disability prevention in the forest and fishing industries, identifying non-farm employment opportunities for disabled persons, has drafted a

A/41/605 Enqlish Paqe 11
plan to combat nutritional blindness, and co-operates with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) on a Joint Action Proqramme on Environmental Control of Vector Diseases.
30. Disability prevention is being promoted within the framework of primary health
care in a number of the major programmes of WHO: expanded proqramme of
immunization, accident prevention, blindness prevention, prevention of deafness and
hearing Impairment, and research and training in tropical diseases.
Community-based rehabilitation proqrammes have been established in nearly
30 countries.
31. The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) is developinq,
in co-operation with CSDHA, a strategy for the integration of disabled persons in
industrial development. UNIDO'3 technical co-operation proqramme is supportinq
pilot incoming-generatinq activities for disabled persons in selected small-scale
industries in Sierra Leone.
3. Employment of disabled persons in the United Nations system
32. The Office of Personnel Services of the United Nations Secretariat is preparinq a backqround study for the formulation of a plan to promote the employment of disabled persons in the United Nations Secretariat. In a related development, the fourth inter-agency meetinq of the United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons (Vienna, 5-7 March 1986) reccmmended that agencies and bodies of the United Nations system should publish annual reports on employment of disabled persons.
33. Measures continue to be instituted to make United Nations premises barrier-free and its facilities appropriate to the needs of disabled persons.
34. ESCAP reported that several disabled persons currently serve on its staff and that a consultant, who is a disabled person, is being recruited from extra-budgetary resources to carry out a medium-term project on disability in t:he region.
35. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) reported that six blind teachers who were trained durinq 1985 at its Training Centre for the blind in the Gaza Strip will be taking up posts in UNRWA's regular schools in the ***. ILO has organized orientation sessions concerning the recruitment, of qualified disabled persons and disabled persons serve both at ILO headquarters and in its technical co-operation projects.
C. Activities of non-governmental organizations
36. The World Proqramme of Action encourages Member States to make full use of the technical expertise and promotional capabilities of non-governinental organizations. Because of their close association with community-level action, non-governmental organizations have had an important impact on public attitudes,

A/41/605 English Paqe 12
policies and programmes in the disability field, and their active involvement if deemed essential to the success of the United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons. To this end, two umbrella bodies of non-governmental organizations in the disability field, the Council of World Organizations Interested in the Handicapped, soon to be renamed the International Council on Disability, and Disabled Peoples' International, participate regularly in inter-agency meetings on the Decade.
37. Following a recommendation of the fourth inter-agency meeting on the united Nations Decade of Disabled Persons, held at Vienna, from 5 to 7 March 1986, on the need for greater publicity of the Decade, Disabled Peoples' International and the Council of World Organizations Interested in the Handicapped agreed to mobilize their networks of affiliated organizatlona to launch a public information programme in support of the Decade and the World Proqramme of Action. Member organizations of the Council of World Organizations Interested in the Handicapped are now disseminating information about the Decade and the World programme of Action through their own publications and meetings.
38. In a related development, a group of non-governmental organizations: based at Vienna established in December 1985 the Vienna Non-Governmental Organization Committee on Disabled Persons to assist the United Nations to publicize the Decade and to co-ordinate efforts of interested Vienna-based non-governmental organizations to further the implementation of the World Proqramme of Action.
39. Disabled Peoples' International reported that its Second World Congress, held at Nassau, the Bahamas, from 19 to 22 September 1985, which was organized with the financial support of the Voluntary Fund for the United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons, directed special attention to the Decade and to the issue of human rights and disabled persons.
40. Many other non-governmental organizations are carrying out a variety of activities in support of the Decade. For instance, the World Medical Association has given wide publicity to the Decade by its issuance in December 1985 of a presS release and by during its member associations to lend their support to further its objectives. The World Veteran's Federation adopted at its eighteenth General Assembly, held at Rotterdam, from 18 to 22 November 1985, a resolution on the basic rights of disabled persons. The League of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies reviewed the World Proqramme of Action and identified roles that national Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies could play. The International Federation of Disabled Workers and Civilian Handicapped has requested its member organizations to lend their support to the Decade. The World Federation for Mental Health reported that its 1987 World Congress at Cairo, Egypt, will be devoted to the Decade and its particular relevance to individuals disabled by mental illness. The World Blind Union continues to disseminate on a complimentary basis its Enqlish Braille (grade 2) version of the the World Programme of Action. The main contribution by the World Blind Union and its member organizations to the Decade is its "Progress through joint effort" project, which sets forth plans of action for visually disabled persons in Africa, Asia and Latin America. The project was presented to Governments and to interested organizations around the world on 23 May 1985 by national members of the World Blind Union. The project was favourably received, and a follow-up meeting is being arranged with regional representatives to considet

A/41/605> English Page 13
further action required. The World Council of Churches is carrying out ongoing awareness-building on the Decade through direct contacts with interested persons and organizations. The 'World Young Women's Christian Association is publicizing the Decade among their national assocations and many national associations already provide a number of disability-related services, which include teaching disabled children, community outreach and counselling among disabled persons, and immunization programmes. The Leonard Cheshire Foundation International is establishing an information/resources centre on disabilities, focusing initially on the situation of disabled persons in eastern and southern Africa. The semi-annual Newsletter of the International Federation of Social workers regularly provides space to publicize the Decade. The Salvation Army publicizes the Decade through its various publications. Rehabilitation International organized an International Rehabilitation Week in New York City, United States, during April 1986 to promote public awareness of the Decade.
D. Publicity of the United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons by Member States and the United Nations system
1. Member States
41. Belgium is publicizing the Decade through the dissemination of the World Programme of Action in its two official languages (Flemish and French). On 10 December 1985, the Prime Minister of Canada proclaimed the Decade of Disabled Persons and announced a series of principles to guide Government initiatives of benefit to disabled persons. The secretariat of the Status of Disabled Persons of Canada has prepared a brochure on the World Programme of Action within the framework of the Decade, has reprinted the World Programme of Action in Canada's two official languages (English and French) and has prepared audio tape versions as well. A provincial mid-Decade conference was held at Halifax, Nov Scotia, on 2 and 3 April 1986, to stimulate action and comment on progress achieved by the Government at local, provincial and national levels. Chile reported that the Decade is being publicized in connection with action undertaken concerning disabled persons. Publicity of the Decade in Colombia is being carried out through the dissemination of the Spanish version of the World Programme of Action by the "Centro de Documentaci6n e Informaci6n en RehabilitacionH. The "Co-ordinating Service for Issues concerning Disabled Persons" in Cyprus continues to carry out a variety of information activities to promote public awareness of the Decade. The Decade is being publicized in Ethiopia by such means as periodic seminars and exhibitions of products made by disabled persons. In the Federal Republic of Germany, awareness of the Decade has been generated through the wide circulation of the German version of the World Programme of Action and by publicity efforts of the Government, non-governmental organizations and the media. In Japan, the translation and dissemination of the World Programme of Action generated a great deal of favourable publicity. The Ministry of Culture in Kenya has prepared a number of publications to promote public awarenes of disablement and of the needs of disabled persons. Publicity of the Decade is being carried out in Mexico under the auspices of the National System for Integrated Development of the Family. Pakistan recently launched a public information campaign on the rights of disabled persons. In the Republic of Korea, the translation of the World Programme of

A/41/605 English Paqe 14
Action led to greater public awareness of the Decade. Publicity of the Decade in Seychelles is being carried out through activities such as art festivals and special sporting events. Sri Lanka reported that it is currently planning a seminar on the Decade for the media. Sweden continues a wide range of public information efforts on disability issues, with frequent reference to the World Programme of Action and the Decade. The United Kingdom has concentrated on developing policies which respond to priority objectives of the World Programme of Action rather than institute specific publicity of the Decade} but the Government does provide grants to selected non-governmental organizations, such as the Royal Association for Disability and Rehabilitation (RADAR) to promote the World Programme of Action and the Decade. The President of the United States proclaimed the years 1983-1992 the "National Decade of Disabled Persons" to focus public awareness on efforts to further the objectives of the United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons. Numerous activities have been organized in support of the Decade, which include the National Initiative on Technology and Disabled Persons and "Inspire '85", an international forum and festival on arts, sports, and recreation and disabled persons. Yugoslavia continues the practice, begun in 1981, of designating a "Disabled Persons Week" to promote public awareness of the Decade.
2. United Nations system
42. In the United Nations Secretariat, the Centre for Social Development and Humanitarian Affairs (CSDRA) published during 1985 four issues of the Disabled Persons Bulletin, which were distributed in English, French and Spanish. Over 3,000 copies of the first issue of 1986 of the periodic "Circular letter to national disability committees and similar co-ordinating bodies" were distributed in the official languages of the United Nations. CSDHA drafted a brochure on the Decade and continues to distribute widely the World Programme of Action in the official languages of the United Nations and English Braille,
43. Because the General Assembly in paragraph 11 of its resolution 37/53 of
3 December 1982, proclaimed the United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons on the understanding that no additional resouces from the United Nations system would be needed for that purpose, no specific public information programme has been authorized for the Decade. The Division for Economic and Social Information, in the Department of Public Information, is, however, mandated to provide general public information support to activities in the social and economic sectors. In this connection, the Division provides information relating to disabled persons on a regular basis. It continues to draw the attention of the media and non-governmental organizations to events relating to the Decade and the World Programme of Action. It has also arranged for the World Programme of Action to be taped on cassette for visually-impaired persons.
44. The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) is
promoting public awareness of the situation of disabled persons in the region
through its regular distribution of information materials. ESCAP published a
brochure describing major issues in the disability field for the region and
relevant ESCAP priorities and programmes.

A/41/605 Enqlish Paqe 15
45. The United Nations Hiqh Commissioner for Refuqees (UNHCR) published three
articles durinq 1985 in, its publication Refugees on its services to disabled
refugees. The United Nations Relief and Works Aqency for Palestine Refugees in the
Near East (UNRWA) disseminates information on its services for disabled persons
through its newsletter "Palestinian Refugees Today" and other media.
E. Mid-Decade questionnaire
46. Paragraph >01 of the World Proqramme of Action concerninq Disabled Persons 3/ states that periodic revisions of the World Proqramme of Action may be necessary in the liqht of changes in the world economic and social situation and that these should take place every five years, with the first occuring in 1987. The General Assembly decided, in paragraph 3 of its resolution 37/52 of 3 December 1982, to evaluate the implementation of the World Proqramme of Action at its forty-second session, in 1987.
47. The questionnaire on the first round of monitorinq the implementation of the World Proqramme of Action was circulated to Governments throuqh their Permanent Missions in December 1985. As at 31 July 1986, replies had been received from the following Governments Argentina, Bahrain, Belize, Bhutan, Bulgaria, Chile, China, Cuba, Cyprus, Czechoslovakia, Democratic Yemen, Denmark, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Iceland, Indonesia, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Kuwait, Maldives, Mali, Mexico, New Zealand, Niaer, Niqeria, Norway, Oman, Panama, Paraguay, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Romania, Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, United States of America and Zambia.
48. Pursuant to paraqraph 16 of General Assembly resolution 37/53 and paraqraph 13 of General Assembly resolution 39/26 of 23 November 1984, the Secretary-General will convene, in 1987, a meetinq of experts, consistinq largely of disabled persons, to evaluate progress at the mid-point of the Decade and to prepare a report that would enable him to help the General Assembly at its forty-second session to evaluate the implementation of the World Proqramme of Action. The Government of Sweden has agreed to host the meeting of experts which is currently scheduled to he held in mid-1987 for eiqht working days. It is expected that 25 experts will participate in the meetins in their individual capacity. Provision has also been made for the participation of a representative of each reqional commission.
49. Preparations for the 1987 expert meeting were discussed at the fourth inter-agency meetinq on the United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons, held at Vienna, from 5 to 7 March 1986, which stressed the importance of regional inputs to the expert meeting to reflect progress achieved and obstacles encountered, particularly at the graas-roots level. The meeting recommended that regional commissions should consider the possibility of holdinag regional consultations, in collaboration with CSDHA, on regional-level progress achieved in the implementation of the World Progrnmme of Action at the mid-point of the Decade.

A/41/605 English Page 16
50. In the African region, the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) is working closely with the Organization of African Unity to prepare a regional meeting of experts to be held in conjunction with the Fifth Conference of African Ministers of Social Affairs, to be held at Abidjan, C6te d'lvoire, during the first quarter of 1987. In the Asia and Pacific region, the Regional Inter-Agency Task Force on Disability Issues of ESCAP will serve as preparatory body for organizing a regional meeting of experts. The Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (E3CWA) has included in the agenda for its fourteenth session, to be held at Baghdad, from 27 March to 5 April 1987, an item concerning a regional consultation of experts on the implementation of the World Programme of Action at mid-Decade. In the European region, consultations are continuing with the Government of Yugoslavia concerning the organization of a European regional meeting of experts in collabouration with the Ljubljana Service for Technical Co-operation in the Disability Field and the United Nations. ECLAC reported that it is not currently in a position to undertake additional activities in the disability field.
51. It is envisaged that the 1987 meeting of experts will consider two main issues: first, a review and assessment of the progress achieved and the obstacles encountered at mid-Decade in implementing the World Programme of Action at the national, regional and international levels) and second, the main elements that would constitute a programme of action for the remainder of the Decade. Documentation for the meeting will include! (a) preliminary analysis prepared by the Centre for Social Development and Humanitarian Affairs of replies from Governments to the questionnaire on the first round of monitoring the implementation of the World Programme of Action at the mid-point of the Decade) (b) preliminary analysis prepared by the Council of World Organizations Interested in the Handicapoed and Disabled Peoples' International of replies received from non-governmental organizations to a separate questionnaire on monitoring the implementation of the World Programme of Action at mid-Decade) (c) reports prepared by the regional commissions on regional meetings of experts concerning the implementation of the World Programme of Action at mid-Decade) (d) report prepared by the United Nations Statistical Office in support of the mid-Decade monitoring of the implementation of the World Programme of Action, to be based on an international disability statistics data base covering 50 to 70 countries.
F. Voluntary Fund for the United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons
1. Introduction
52. The General Assembly, in paragraph 10 of its resolution 40/31 of
29 November 1985, decided that the United Nations Trust Fund for the International Year of Disabled Persons would henceforth be called the Voluntary Fund for the United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons, and endorsed detailed terms of reference for the Fund, introducing the possibility for the Fund to support technical co-operation activities, at the request of Governments, on equalization of opportunities, disability prevention and rehabilitation.

A/41/605 English Page 17
2. Project cycle activities
53. During the period from January 1985 to July 1986, the Fund received nearly 80 requests for assistance, of which 23 were approved Cor funding, involving a resource commitment of $US 562,375. A list of the projects approved during January 1985 to July 1986 appears jn annex I to the present report.
Table I. Voluntary Fund disbursements, by region., number of projects and value of commitmenti January 1980-December 1984) January 1985-July 1986

Number of projects Value of projects (US dollars)

January 1980 January 1985 January 1980 January 1985
Region to December 1984 to July 1986 to December 1984 to July 1986
Africa 7 9 61 500 242 445
Asia and
Pacific 8 7 112 315 125 5- 0
Europe 1 - 1 440 -
Latin America
and Caribbean 5 1 35 550 30 000
Western Asia 2 - 41 493 -
Interregional
and global 19 _6 540 534 170_390
Total 42 23 792 832 562 ?75
54. Table 1 indicates that the value of period of projects approved in the 19-month period of January 1985 to July 1986 represented 71 per cent of the total value of projects approved during the first four years of the Fund's operations. There was also a shift during the period under review from support for interregional and global projects, which accounted for 45 per cent of the project*; approved during the Fund's first four years, to support for national and regional projects. Nearly 75 per cent of the projects approved during the period under review were in the developing regions, with the Africa region accounting for 39 per cent of all projects approved and 43 per cent of the resources disbursed, followed by the Asia and Pacific region with 30 per cent of the projects approved an.1 22 per cent of the resources disbursed.

A/41/605 English Page 18
Table 2. Distribution of approved projects by principal area of activity and value January 1980-December 1984> January 1985-July 1986

Number of projects
January 1980 January 1980 to December 1984 to July 1986 Value of projects
Area
(US dollars) January 1980 January 1985 to December 1984 to July 1986
Promotional activities 7 2 104 118 51 600
Support to organizations of or concerned with disabled persons 11 b 225 792 177 900
Data collection} applied research 8 2 177 323 7 500
Training 10 9 255 633 254 985
Information exchange 6 3 29 966 50 290
Technical
co-operation on disability policies and programmes _42 22 20 100
Total
792 832 562 375
55. While the priority in the allocation of the resources of the Fund continues to be for catalytic and innovative activities aimed at furthering the implementation of the World Programme of Action within the framework of the Decade, table 1 indicates that there has been a fundamental shift in the areas of activity being supported from the resources of the Fund. Data collection and promotional activities now represent a vastly reduced percentage of projects receiving support and requests for the Fund's resources increasingly relate to national capability-building efforts as an essential means to further the implementation of the World Programme of Action. Nearly 80 per cent of the Fund's resources allocated during the period under review have been for training (45 per cent) and support to organizations of disabled persons (32 per cent).

A/4i/605 English Page 19
56. During the period under review, the Fund also provided support, at the request
of the Governments concerned, for disability programming and project development
missions to Djibouti, co-financed by the Department of Technical Co-operation for
Development, and to Somalia. The missions resulted in the identification of
priority technical co-operation needs to strengthen and improve national capacities
for disability prevention, rehabilitation and equalization of opportunities.
Arrangements to finance the technical co-operation activities proposed are under
review by the Government concerned and the United Nations Development Programme.
3. Project co-financing
57. Since the resources available to the Voluntary Fund for the United Nations
Decade of Disabled Persons are considerably less than those required to meet the
priority requests for assistance submitted by Governments and organizations of
disabled persons to further the implementation of the World Programme of Action,
the Fund has sought to establish co-financing agreements for selected
disability-related projects of developing countries with bilateral development
assistance agencies, non-governmental funding entities and the private sector.
Co-financing agreements were concluded with AGFUND (Arab Gulf Programme for United
Nations Development Organizations), during the period under review, for 13 projects
in the disability field. Project co-financing was also obtained from the Canadian
International Development Agency (CIDA) and the United States Agency for
International Development (USAID). A list of the projects being co-financed
appears in annex II to the present report.
4. Financial situation and resources mobilization
58. The Voluntary Fund for the United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons
participated for the first time in the 1985 Pledging Conference for United Nations
Operational Activities, at which the Fund received pledges from six Governments
totalling $US 52,861. Since the International Year of Disabled Persons, the flow
of contributions has substantially diminished and has at present fallen below the
level required to respond to incoming project requests. The financial statement of
the fund for the 1984-1985 biennium appears in annex III to the present report.
59. Following the guidance received from the General Assembly at its fortieth
session, the Fund compiled a catalogue of priority project proposals which had been
technically appraised by CSDHA and which were awaiting financing. The first
project catalogue was circulated to selected Permanent Missions in March 1986 as a
means to mobilize the additional resources required to carry out priority projects
and activities of benefit to disabled persons.
60. The Fund has disbursed since January .1980 nearly $US 1.4 million to support 65
projects of benefit to disabled persons, of which 42 per cent of the resources were
disbursed since January 1985. This intensive level of funding activity needs
however to be placed in the context of a resource inflow during the same period
that was approximately one-tenth that of the level of resources disbursed. Should
these trends continue, the resources of the Fund conceivably would be depleted by
the mid-point of the Decade in 1987.

A/41/605 English Page 20
6?.. Following an initiative proposed during the thirty-chird session of the Governing Council of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) held at Geneva, from 2 to 27 June 1986, concerning the mobilization of additional resources for disability prevention, IMPACT/UNDP, in collabouration with CSDHA and other organizations concerned, are exploring the possibility of launching world-wide fund-raising and publicity activities. It is expected that emphasis will be directed to the national level and utilize to the maximum extent the energies and talents of persons and organizations in the private sector who are concerned and interested in disability issues.
5. Inter-agency co-operation
62. Inter-agency co-operation in the disability field within the framework of the
World Programme of Action and the Decade, particularly as this concerns the field
offices of UNDP, continues to be carried out in response to specific programme and
project needs. Co-ordination of disability programmes and projects was discussed
at the fourth inter-agency meeting on the United Nations Decade of Disabled
Persons, held at Vienna, from 5 to 7 March 1986. Meeting participants also
discussed priority considerations when appraising project proposals submitted to
the Voluntary Fund for the Decade. Participants concluded that priority should be
accorded to proposals whicht (a) clearly relate to national disability policies
and programmes: (b) include a local resource commitment - in cash or in kind -
which effectively complements external assistance sought (c) involve disabled
persons in project design, implementation and evaluation; (d) include, as
appropriate, provision for establishing or strengthening organizations of disabled
persons) (e) reflect, as appropriate, community-oriented approaches to disability
issues: (f) preferably are part of larger development efforts and would contribute
to inter-ministerial co-operation on disability issues in the context of national
development) and (g) would strengthen and improve national capacities for
disability prevention, rehabilitation and equalization of opportunities.
G. Inter-organizational task forces
63. Activities of inter-organizational task forces were also considered by the fourth inter-agency meeting on the United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons, which noted with appreciation that the second ESCAP Regional Inter-Agency Consultation on the Decade, held at Bangkok in August 1985, considered favourably the proposal that it reconstitute itself as the nucleus of an Asia-Pacific inter-organizational task force. The third ESCAP Regional Inter Agency Consultation, held at Bangkok on 3 June 1986, agreed upon terms of reference for the Asia-Pacific inter-organizational task force on disability issues, that it would meet twice a year, or more frequently as required, and that the Social Development Division of ESCAP will serve as the secretarial, of the task force.
64. In the African region, the proposal was raised to constitute a task force on human resource development within the Ad Hoc Ministerial Committee of Ten on Disabled Persons and the Technical Advisory Committee of the African Rehabilitation Institute. In the Western Asia region, ESCWA is collecting information on disability-related resources for the compilation of a directory of trained disability personnel and other resources in the region.

A/41/605 English Page 21
65. With respect to interregional action, the Technical Co-operation Support Service for Rehabilitation of Disabled Persons (TCSS), located at the University Rehabilitation Institute, Ljubljana, Yugoslavia, and established by the Government of Yugoslavia to promote co-operation among developing countries in disability prevention, rehabilitation and equalization of opportunities is concentrating on three areas of activity: first, promoting exchanges of technical information, second, transferring technology and know-how, and third, training. 4/ TCSS has recently finalized a two-year project on "assistance concerning technical co-operation of developing and least-developed countries in disability-related fields", which has three components: (a) training of trainers in disability prevention and rehabilitation to assist rehabilitation services in developing countries in achieving improved levels of disability-related services and technological independence in the production of orthopaedic appliances and technical aids: (b) providing 20 individual fellowship awards annually for key personnel in disability-related fields, with priority accorded to least-developed countries, and (c) promoting exchanges of technical information in the disability field among developing countries and the transfer of disability technology and know-how.
66. The Goverment of Yugoslavia reports that, on the basis of the accumulated experience of TCSS in providing technical assistance and advice in the disability field, it is now dr?fting a memorandum of understanding regarding a possible relationship between TCSS and the United Nations with the aim of establishing a sound foundation for further joint activities.
III. CONCLUSIONS AND SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER ACTION
67. The information available indicates that Governments, non-governmental organizations and the United Nations system are undertaking a wide range of activities in support of of the World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons within the framework of the United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons, which have as their collective aim to realize the World Programme's goals of "full participation of disabled persons' and "equality". In this connection, the General Assembly may wish to take note of another development that should also be attributed to United Nations efforts in the field of the disabled, that is the growinq number of initiatives that disabled persons themselves are taking to improve their own well-being, enhance their self-reliance and realize full and effective participation in social life and development.
68. Many Governments have established national committees or similar bodies to promote and co-ordinate policies and programmes in the disability fieldj they have translated the World Programme of Action into their own national languages, are carrying out a variety of efforts to publicize the Decade, and are directing special attention to disability projects in bilateral assistance programmes.
Non-governmental organizations continue to provide important technical and promotional services of benefit to disabled persons, particularly to the community level, and are represented in inter-agency meetings of the United Nations system on the Decade. Concerned bodies and organisations of the United Nations system arc carrying out, within their respective spheres of competence and in accordance with

A/41/605 English Page 22
their work programmes, activities supportive of actions by Governments and by organizations of disabled persons to implement the World Programme of Action: the strengthening and improvement of co-ordination of these activities is considered at inter-agency meetings on the Decade. Although much has been accomplished during the Decade, there remain important areas in which further action is required, especially in terms of consistent implementation at both the national and international levels of the World Programme of Action.
69. In paragraph 8 of its resolution 39/26 of 23 November 1984, the General Assembly requested Member States, organizations of the United Nations system, as well as non-governmental organizations to make available resources in the form of funds and personnel for the purpose of planning, managing and financing the Decade. There is an urgent need for such continued support.
70. in the light of the above, the General Assembly might wish, inter alia, to comment on the status of preparations for the 1987 meeting of experts, and the measures undertaken by United Nations bodies and organizations to promote the employment of disabled persons and to make their environments barrier-free. The Assembly might also wish to note the comments made on these issues at the fourth inter-agency meeting on the United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons.
71. The voluntary Fund for the United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons has continued to serve as an important instrument to further the implementation of the World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons. During the period of January 1985 to July 1986, the Fund provided $US 562,375 to support 23 projects of benefit to disabled persons, which represents a 71 per cent increase in the level of Fund activities from that prevailing during the first four years of operation. At the same time, the contributions received by the Fund have been approximately one tenth of its disbursements during the period under review. If these trends continue, it is conceivable that the Fund's resources would be depleted by the mid-point of the Decade in 1987. The General Assembly might also wish to comment on the proposal made by IMPACT/UNDP as to possible global publicity and fund raising events in support of disability-related activities within the framework of the Decade.
Notes
1/ Belgium, Benin, Burma, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Cote d'lvoire, Cyprus, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Finland, Gabon, German Democratic Republic, Germany, Federal Republic of, Ghana, Japan, Kenya, Madagascar, Mexico, Norway, Pakistan, Republic of Korea, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America, Yugoslavia and Zaire.
2/ Department of International Economic and Social Affairs, (Centre for Social Development and Humanitarian Affairs and Statistical Office); Department of Technical Co-operation for Development; Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific; Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean; Economic Commission for Africa; Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia; Office of

A/41/605 English Page 23
Notes (continued)
the United Nations Disaster Reliei Co-ordinator) United Nations Environment Programmei United Nations Children's Fund) United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refuqees in the Near East) International Labour Organinatloni Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations) United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) World Health Organization) United Nations Industrial Development Organization IMPACT, the international Initiative Against Avoidable Disablement.
3/ A/37/351/Add.1 and Add. 1/Corr.1, annex.
4/ A/36/711.

A/41/605 English Page 24
ANNEX I
Projects supported by the Voluntary Fund for the United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons, from January 1985 to July 1986,
A. Africa
1. International Fund Sports Disabled! First International Training Workshop of
Sports for Disabled in Favour of Developing Countries (Algiers, Algeria,
19-30 April 1986).
2. Advisory mission on national disability policies and programmes (Djibouti).
3. West African Federation of Associations for the Advancement of Handicapped Persons (FOAPH): Nouakchott seminar concerning disability in Africa (Nouakchott, Mauritania, 16-21 February 1985).
4. Advisory mission on national disability policies and programmes (Somalia).
5. Strengthening the capacities of the National Vocational Rehabilitation Centre (Sudan).
6. Organization of African Unity (OAU); International meeting on the development of the African Rehabilitation Institute (Arusha, United Republic of Tanzania, 22-24 January 1985).
7. Production of training film on "Disablement and social integration" (Zimbabwe).
8. Gallaudet College: training programme for teachers and administrators of schools for deaf children in francophone Africa.
9. National Council of Disabled Persons of Zimbabwe and Disabled Peoples' International! Leadership development seminar (Bulawayo, Zimbabwe,
29 June~6 July 1985) (Southorn Africa subregional).
B. Asia and the Pacific
10. Pilot project on family-based services for disabled infants in rural Rajasthan and slum areas in New Delhi 'India).
11. Rehabilitation International : Eighth Asia and Pacific Regional Conference of Rehabilitation International Bombay, India, 15-20 September 1986).
12. Proyek Rehabilitasi Bethesda: community-based rehabilitation services for disabled persons (Indonesia).
13. Support for the establishment of a Resource and Training Centre for Blind Women, (Karachi, Pakistan).

A/41/605 English Paqe 25
14. Asian Federation of Laryngectomees Associations: support for the 1985/1986 instructor's training courses in the esophageal method for laryngectomees in Asia (regional).
15. Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), in collabouration with the Philippine National Commission Concerning Disabled Persons: compilation of an Asia and Pacific directory of disability-related resources.
16. ESCAP: regional fellowship programme for national personnel responsible for planning and organizing disability prevention and rehabilitation services.
C. Latin America and the Caribbean
17. Support for strengthening national capabilities for prevention and control of
disabilities (Jamaica).
D. Interregional and global
18. Second International Abilympic (Bogota, Colombia, 1-5 October 1985) (interregional).
19. *** led Peoples' International: Second World Congress of Disabled Peoples' International (Nassau, the Bahamas, 18-22 September 1985).
20. World Council for the Welfare for the Blind (WCWB): Support for publication of the International Newsletter for the Blind during 1985/86 (global).
21. Gallaudet Colleges development of microcomputer-based disability database (global).
22. Rehabilitation International (RI): International Expert Group Meeting on Legislation on Equalization of Opportunities of Disabled Persons (Vienna,
2-6 June 1986).
23. Committee on the Promotion of Aid to Co-operatives (COPAC): translation and
dissemination of the manual "Co-operatives of disabled persons - guidelines for
promotion and organization" (global).

A/41/605 English Page 26
ANNEX II Projects being proposed for co-financing
A. Africa
1. Support to the Western Africa Federation of Associations for the Advancement of Disabled Persons (Niger).
2. Support for training in vocational rehabilitation of disabled persons (Sudan). a/
3. Development of a transitional production workshop of disabled persons (executed by the International Labour Organisation) (Swaziland).
4. Development of rural centres for rehabilitation and training of the blind (executed by the International Labour •- Organisation) (Tunisia).
B. Asia and the Pacific
5. Pilot project on family-based services for disabled children (India). b/
6. Establishment of a resource and training centre for blind women (Pakistan). b_/
7. Asia-Pacific regional support services in disability prevention and rehabilitation (Philippines).
C. Latin America and the Caribbean
8. Formation au travail manuel d'adolescents handicapes mentaux dans la communaute de chantal (Haiti). b/
9. Production of Spanish Braille texts (Uruguay). a/
D. Western Asia
10. Community-based approaches to training and rehabilitation of disabled persons (Lebanon).
11. Technical advisory services to Gulf Arab countries on the development of statistics on disabled persons (Western Asia).
a/ Co-financed by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA).
b/ Co-financed by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

A/41/605 English Page 27
E. Interregional and global
12. Stimulation and monitoring of concerted action in selected target areas of disability prevention (implemented by Rehabilitation International (global)).
13. Pilot programme to promote the manufacture of lower-limb prostheses in developing countries (global).

A/41/605 English Page 28
ANNEX III
Financial statements of the Voluntary Fund for the United Nations
Decade of Disabled Persons
I. STATEMENT OF INCOME AND EXPENDITURES FOR THE BIENNIUM 1984-1985 ENDED 31 DECEMBER 1985
(United States dollars)
Income
Pledged contributions 79 393
Public donations 49 876
Interest income 280 864
Miscellaneous income 16 988
Total income 435 121
Expenditure
Staff and other personnel costs 74 655
Travel 30 021
Contractual services 1 390
Operating services 936
Fellowships, grants, other 449 996
Subtotal 556 998
Programme support costs 77 628
Total expenditure 634 626
Excess of income over expenditure for the above period (199 505)
Add: adjustments for prior period (60 000) a/
Net excesa of income over expenditure (259 505)

A/41/605 English Page 29
II. STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES AS AT 31 DECEMBER 1985
(United States dollars) Assets
Cash 1 248 906
Pledged contributions unpaid (schedule 15.4.1) 75 931
Accounts receivable 20 989
Operating funds provided to executing agencies 43 959
Deferred charges and other assets 2 040
Total assets 1 391 825
Liabilities
Unliquidated obligations 26 929
Due to United Nations General Fund 27 695
Deferred income 53 982
Total liabilities 108 606
Fund balance
Balance available 1 January 1984 1 542 724
Add: not excess of income over expenditure (259 505)
Balance available 31 December 1985 i ?83 219
Total liabilities and Fund balance 1 391 825

ANNEX IV
Contributions and pledges to the Voluntary Fund for the United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons
as at 31 December 1985
(United States dollars)

Unpaid pledges Pledges for Collections Unpaid pledges
as at 1978 and 1979 Pledges for during as at
Countries 1 January 1978 and adjustments 5 000 future years 1973 and 1979 5 000 31 December 19"9
Ethiopia —.

India - - 10 000 - 10 000
Libyan Arab Jamahiriya - 100 000 - 100 000 -
Sweden - 10 000 - 10 000 10 000
Subtotal - 11? 000 10 000 115 000

Unpaid pledges Pledges for Collections Unpaid pledges
as at 1980 and 1981 Pledges for during as at
Countries 1 January 1980 and adjustments future years 1980 and 1981 31 December 1981
Austria - 22 479 - 22 479 -
Belaiuti - 25 COO - 25 000 -
Cameroon - 851 - 851 -
Canada - 82 900 - 82 900 -
Chile - 5 000. - 5 00Q -
Germany, Federal Republic of - 267 775 - 267 775 -
India - 10 063 - 10 063 -
Japan - 200 000 - 200 000 -
Kuwait - 7 367 - 7 367 -
Libyan Arab Jamahiriya - 250 000 - 250 000 -
Malta - 250 - 250 -
Oman - 5 000 - 5 000 -
Pakistan - 10 000 - 10 000 -
Philippines - 5 000 - 5 000 -
Portugal - 1 000 - 1 000 -
Qatar - 4 000 - 4 000 -
Senegal - - 2 000 - 2 000
Yugoslavia - 104 - 104 2 000
Subtotal - 896 789 2 000 896 789

ANNEX IV (continued)

Pledges for 1982

Unpaid pledges and 1983 and Collections Unpaid
pledges

as at
adjustments of Fledges for during 1982 Loss (gain) as at
Countries 1
January
1982 prior pledges future years and ', 1983 on exchange 31 December 1983
Australia
-
55
810 - 55 810 -
-
Belgium
-
7
843 - 7 843 -
-
Cameroon
-
1
252 - 1 252 -
-
Cyprus
-
1
000 - 1 0OO -
-
France
-
19
481 20 755 19 481 - 20
755
Jordan
-
1
000 - 1 000 -
-
Oman
-
5
000 - 5 000 -
-
Philippines
-
4
985 - 4 985 -
-
Saudi Arabia
-
150
000 - 150 000 -
-
Senecal
-
2
000 - - - 2
000
United States

of America
103
000 - 1C3 000 -
-
Subtotal
351
371 20 755 349 371 - 22
755

Add:

Pledaes for 1984 Less:

Unpaid pledges and 1985 and Adds Collections Less: Unpaid
pledges

as at
adjustments of Pledges for during 1984 Loss (gain) as at
Countries 1
January
1984 prior pledges future years and 1985 on exchange 31 December 1985
Austria
-
27
677 - 13 916 (3 188) 16
949
Belgium
-

- 35 000 - - 35
000
China
-

- 10 000 - - 10
000
France
-
31
281 - 31 023 258
-
Greece
-
10
000 - 10 000 -
-
Holy See
-

- 1 000 - - 1
000
Indonesia
-

- 3 000 - - 3
000
Oman
-
10
000 - 5 000 - 5
000
Senegal
2 000

- - 1 699 301
-
uganda
-

- 4 482 - - 4482
Zaire
-

- 500 - -
500
Zambia

435 - 435 -
-
Subtotal
79
393 53 982 62 073 (2 629) 75
931