UN Human Rights Treaties

UNITED NATIONS

A

General Assembly

Distr. GENERAL
A/42/551
28 September 1987
ORIGINAL: ENGLISH

Forty-second session Agenda item 93
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 1-3 3
II. SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS 4-7 3
III. ACTIVITIES OF MEMBER STATES 8-29 4
A. National committees 8 - 26 4
B. Bilateral assistance 27-28 8
C. Technical co-operation. among developing countries ..... 29 4
IV. TECHNICAL CO-OPERATION ACTIVITIES 30-38 9
A. United Nations system 30 - 35 9
B. Intergovernmental regional organizations 36 10
C. Non-governmental organizations 37 - 38 10
V. VOLUNTARY FUND FOR THE UNITED NATIONS DECADE OF
DISABLED PERSONS 39 - 60 11
A. Project cycle activities for the biennium 1986-1987,
as at 30 June 1987 39-40 11
87-23121 3599b (E)

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CONTENTS (continued)
Paragraphs Page
B. Trends in the use of the resources of the
Voluntary Fund .., 41-48 12
C. Project co-financing 49 15
D. Financial situation and resources mobilization 50-56 15
E. Management and co-ordination 57-60 17
VI. RESEARCH AND STUDIES 61-62 17
ANNEXES
I. Projects supported by the Voluntary Fund for the United Nations
Decade of Disabled Persons, from January 1986 to June 1987 20
II. Financial statements of the Voluntary Fund for the United Nations
Decade of Disabled Persons 2 3
III. Cumulative contributions from Member States to the Voluntary Fund
for the United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons 25

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I. INTRODUCTION
1. In its resolution 41/106 of 4 December 1986, 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/41/605), and of the preparations for the global meeting of experts at
Stockholm (Sweden) in 1937, pursuant to General Assembly resolution 39/26 of
23 November 1984. The resolution requested the Secretary-General to report to the General Assembly at its forty-second session on the implementation of the resolution and on the outcome of the meeting of experts. The present report deals with the implementation of resolution 41/106. A separate report (A/42/561) will present the findings of the first review and appraisal of the World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons, and the outcome of the meeting of experts.
2. Pursuant to General Assembly resolution 41/106, the Secretary-General circulated a note verbale to Governments on 2 March 1987 requesting information on (a) the establishment and reinforcement of national committees as focal points for the United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons, (b) bilateral assistance relating to projects concerning the prevention of disabilities, rehabilitation and equalization of opportunities, and (c) the Voluntary Fund for the United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons. As at 2 July 1987, replies to the note verbale had been received from 27 Governments, 1/ and are reflected in the present report.
The present report should be read in conjunction with the two previous reports of the Secretary-General on the implementation of the World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons and the United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons, namely, A/40/728 and Corr. 1 and A/41/605.
II. SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS
4. The information available suggests that significant progress has been made in
bringing disability and its human consequences to the attention of Governments and
the people of the world. There is today a framework for action - the World
Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons - whereas none existed less than a
decade ago. There is now increasing evidence of a common understanding on
disability issues and needs, and the existence of a political will and commitment
to improve the situation of disabled persons. It is also evident, however, that
the alleviation of suffering caused by disability remains an item on national and
international agendas. There are many reasons for this, including a lack of
technical and financial resources, inadequate infrastructures and supportive
services and the prevailing socio-economic situation, particularly in the
developing countries. During the second half of the Decade and beyond concerted
efforts will be required to reinvigorate the type of activities that were initiated
during the 1981 International Year of Disabled Persons.
5. In this context, it is essential that national disability committees and
similar co-ordinating bodies, which have played important advocacy and supporting
roles, be further strengthened through adequate financial and technical support,

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both from Governments and the private sector. At the same time, each national co-ordinating committee, depending on its situation, needs to determine how best to raise resources on behalf of the disabled persons. To assist in this area and subject to the availability of resources, the Secretary-General intends to convene during the second half of the Decade, an interregional meeting of representatives of national disability committees with a view to enhancing the capacities of such committees, through an exchange of views and information. The General Assembly may wish to invite Member States, which have not already done so, to establish such committees and bodies and to support efforts aimed at strengthening and improving their capacities.
Bilateral assistance in the disability field, including technical co-operation among developing countries, represents an important source of technical and financial support, since disability-related issues touch upon all sectors of society. The General Assembly may wish to renew its invitation to all States to accord high priority to disability-related concerns within the framework of bilateral assistance, with special emphasis on the least-developed countries. As appropriate, the country programme of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) can serve as a frame of reference for promoting coherent and co-ordinated approaches with other forms of assistance.
At the mid-point of the Decade, the Voluntary Fund for the United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons has disbursed nearly $US 2 million on 78 projects and on other activities aimed at furthering the implementation of the World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons. Working closely with Governments, concerned members of the United Nations system for development co-operation and organizations of disabled persons, the Fund provides critical grants of seed-money to catalytic and innovative activities in the disability field and to reinforce disability-related concerns in mainstream development efforts, it is a matter of considerable concern, however, that the Fund's resource base is significantly reduced from that prevailing during the first half of the Decade. Unless this trend is reversed, the resources of the Fund will be depleted and operational activities will lapse well before the end of the Decade in 1992. The General Assembly may accordingly wish to invite Governments and non-governmental organizations to contribute generously to the Fund to enable it to respond effectively to the growing demand for assistance.
III. ACTIVITIES OF MEMBER STATES A. National committees
8. A questionnaire on the First Round of the Monitoring of the Implementation of
the World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons was sent to Governments
by the Centre for social Development and Humanitarian Affairs in December 1985. It
contained, inter alia, questions on the establishment, composition and functions of
national committees. Ninety-two countries provided replies, of which 82 were
analysed in a background document submitted to the Global Meeting of Experts.

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Information received from 44 Governments 2/ on the reinforcement of national committees or similar bodies was presented to the General Assembly at its fortieth session (A/40/728 and Corr.l, para. 10-15). Additional information received from 55 Governments 3/ on the same subject was presented to the Assembly at its forty-first session (A/41/605, para. 6-13). The present report updates the existing information regarding national committees that was presented to the General Assembly at its fortieth and forty-first sessions. As noted above, 27 Governments responded to a note verbale on the implementation of General Assembly resolution 41/106. Only those replies containing new information on national committees are summarized below.
In Burkina Faso, disabled persons have the opportunity to express their views within the Provincial Commissions for Disabled Persons, the Management Committee of the Fund for Disabled Persons, within their own organizations and within the structures of the Committee for the Defense of the Revolution.
Co-ordination is the responsibility of the social security authorities in the Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic. The attention of the local Councils of Peoples' Deputies and other State and economic agencies and public organizations is currently focused on the search for effective approaches to the various problems facing disabled persons.
In China., a China Organizational Committee on the United Nations Decide of Disabled Persons was set up in July 1986 to co-ordinate activities of all the ministries and departments concerned. The Committee consists of leading officials of 20 ministries concerned with disability-related matters and two national organizations of disabled persons. It has appointed an ad hoc working group to draw up a Plan of Work on Disabled Persons for the period 1987-1992.
In Cyprus, the Committee of Ministers that was established in connection with the International Year of Disabled Persons still operates and deals with all matters concerning disabled persons. It recently decided to establish an Advisory Committee on matters concerning disabled persons, consisting of government officials, representatives of the employers and workers organizations and of the organizations of disabled persons. The Advisory Committee performs the functions of a national committee as elaborated in General Assembly resolution 41/l06. In January 198o, a Co-ordinating Service for all matters concerning disabled persons was established at the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare. This Service had, during 1986 and especially in 1967, frequent external contacts and working sessions with a representative body of all the organizations of disabled persons in the country. Several important developments have resulted, which include the preparation of a law that will facilitate the recruitment of more qualified disabled candidates in the public service) an increase of the transport allowances and their extension to additional categories of disabled persons; the extension of the right to duty-free cars to cover all categories of disabled personal the submission of a bill on the removal of architectural barriers in the House of Representatives. The Advisory Committee also submitted recommendations on improved training and development opportunities and provision of technical aids, that are now before the Council of Ministers.

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The Government of the Federal Republic of Germany is required to report to the parliament on the situation of disabled persons in every legislative period, i.e., every four years. In 1981, the Government appointed the First Ombudsman (Commissioner) for Matters Concerning Disabled Persons. Similar ombudsmen for disabled persons are now found at local, state and federal levels, and have proved to be a useful institution.
in Finland, the Finnish Committee drew up an extensive report on its work, including over 200 proposals for the improvement of the situation of disabled persons. The follow-up to the activities of the Finnish National Committee was taken over by the National Council for Disabled Persons, established in 1986. Central government authorities and organizations of disabled persons are represented in the Council. The Finnish Committee of the International Year of Disabled Persons proposed the establishment of councils of disabled persons at different governmental, provincial and municipal levels. Municipal councils of disabled persons have been established in about 25 per cent of the municipalities of the country. There are now provincial units in a few provinces. In 1987, a working group reviewed the implementation of the proposals of the Committee from the point of view of disabled persons, and submitted the results of its findings to the National Council of Disabled Persons for follow-up action.
An Ad Hoc Committee for the International Year of Disabled Persons was formed in Ghana in April 1977. The Committee, in close collaboration with the Department of Social Welfare, created an unprecedented awareness in the people of Ghana about the inherent potential of the disabled population. This attitudinal change was reflected in the formation of the Ghana Federation of Disabled Persons. The Ad Hoc Committee started a major action programme in the form of a rehabilitation project in the western region of Ghana. With the active co-operation of the Ministry of Mobilization and Productivity, the Committee is seeking legal backing for a draft law for the establishment of a National Council for the Rehabilitation of Disabled Persons. This Council, when established, will take care of the welfare needs of disabled persons.
In 1983, a Presidential Decree established a co-ordinating body for Social Welfare Efforts for Disabled Persons in Indonesia, with members from several ministries, non-governmental organizations and disabled persons organizations,. The Peoples' Consultative Assembly of the Republic of Indonesia stipulated the guidelines for State Policy in the Fourth Five-Year Development Plan (Repelita IV) (1984/85-1988/89), and the Minister for Social Welfare Affairs issued a Ministerial Decree concerning the Basic Design for Social welfare Development. Social rehabilitation programmes for disabled persons are carried out through both institutional and non-institutional facilities. Emphasis is placed on community potentials as the main means and infrastructure for the total rehabilitation of disabled persons. The service base of this system is the community itself, where the clients remain living in their respective families/domiciles or community surroundings.
The responsibilities of a national committee in Iran are being performed by the National Welfare Organization. The main objectives are to draw attention to the problems and needs of disabled persons; to encourage and strengthen

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co-operation among organizations and agencies concerned with disability-related issues) and to enable disabled persons to expand their potential and become proactive forces in society.
In Japan, the Headquarters for Promoting the Welfare of Disabled Persons was established in 1982. In addition, the National Council for Disabled Persons, created in 1970, is an organization of disabled persons, which surveys and deliberates on matters concerning disabled persons and expresses its views to the Prime Minister and other government ministries and departments.
Kuwait reports that the Ministry of Education, through its Private Education Administration and its schools, accords special attention to persons wit hearing, visual and mental disabilities.
A multi-disciplinary national committee of both government and non-governmental organizations has been set up in Malawi to implement the national plan of action, which had been drawn based on the World Programme of Action. The first meeting of the National Committee was held on 4 March 1986, which set up four sub-committees in each of the major areas of rehabilitation, namely, medical, educational training and placement, and welfare, to work out a detailed strategy for implementation during the Decade. In its second meeting on 6 March 1987, the National Committee examined the reports of the sub-committees and adopted a number of their recommendations for Implementation by the ministries or agencies concerned, in addition, the Malawi Council for the Handicapped, created by an Act of Parliament, is responsible for all matters affecting the well-being, education, training and employment of disabled persons.
Panama established the Foundation for the Disabled in Panama in December 1983 to meet the needs of different categories of people with disabilities. The Foundation protects, assists and manages the needs of disabled persons through seminars and conferences, exchange of information, training courses and preparation of laws. The Management Committee is the planning, policy and decision-making body. It consists of sub-commissions dealing with education, finance, projects, medical rehabilitation, social affairs and dissemination of information. "The Friends of the Fundaci6n Pro-Impedidos" work in close collaboration with the Management Committee,
Co-ordination of activities on behalf of the Decade in Rwanda is the responsibility of the Interministerial Co-ordinating Committee for Rural Development and Health, in which the Ministries of Health and Social Affairs participate. This Committee co-ordinates activities of centres and organizations working for disabled persons. As a result of an agreement on national co-ordination of social aid and emergency operations between the Government and its social aid partners in February 1987, it is hoped that assistance to disabled persons will be more efficient,
24. in Senegal, promotion and co-ordination of actions on behalf of disabled
persons rests with the Minister for Social Development. Consideration is being
given to the possible restructuring and relaunching of the national committee set
up during the International Year of Disabled Persons and the reactivation of the
National Committee for Social Action.

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The Government of Sweden reported that it had not established a special national Committee for the United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons, since it regards activities in the area of disability and physical* medical and social arrangements for disabled persons as an ongoing obligation, and works with the support of a highly-developed network of organizations of disabled persons themselves. As a result of the International Year of Disabled Persons, a special Swedish Programme of Action was formulated. Following this, the Government commissioned a National Council for the Disabled in April 1906, to examine the implementation of the Programme of Action.
When considered in conjunction with what has previously been reported to the Assembly, the information contained in the paragraphs above indicates that national committees or similar bodies continue to be the most important institutional arrangements at the national level for the implementation of the World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons. There has been a steady increase in their number since the International Year of Disabled Persons and it is imperative that this trend continue during the remainder of the United Nations Decade.
B. Bilateral assistance
Replies received from Governments indicate that a growing number of countries are giving priority to projects concerning the prevention of disabilities, rehabilitation and the equalization of opportunities for disabled persona, both within the context of both bilateral assistance and of technical co-operation among developing countries.
Several Governments supplied information on their bilateral assistance activities during the period under review. In Belgium, support for disability-related activities is provided to requesting developing countries, inter alia, through the National Fund for the Social Rehabilitation of Disabled Persons, a public agency. Bulgaria and Czechoslovakia reported assistance to disability-related activities in Cuba. Canada, through the Canadian International Development Agency, has been helping disability-related activities in Guyana and the Sudan. Denmark, through the Danish International Development Authority, supported disability-related activities in Sri Lanka. During the first half of the Decade, the Federal Republic of Germany supplied assistance to developing countries totalling nearly DM 15 million. This Included support for disability prevention and early detection measures, for drinking water and sanitation and for health and nutrition. The German Democratic Republic is assisting disability-related activities in Cuba and Democratic Yemen. Japan, through the Japan International
Co operation Agency, has given assistance valued at yen 388 million to the China Research Centre on Rehabilitation of Disabilities in Limbs and Trunks. The Agency is also helping disability-related activities in Costa Rica, the Philippines, Sri Lanka and Thailand. The Netherlands reported that its bilateral assistance includes disability specialists, technical aids and specialized treatment and rehabilitation of disabled persons at Dutch facilities. Norway, through the Norwegian Development Agency, is supporting disability-related activities in Sri Lanka.

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C. Technical co-operation among developing countries
29. A number of countries reported assistance channelled through the mechanism of technical co-operation among developing countries. For instance, India gave assistance to the Maldives, and Malaysia to Brunei. The China Welfare Fund for Disabled Persons offered material support to the Tanzanian Association of Disabled Persons. Indonesia received rehabilitation workers from Burma, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, Mexico, and Samoa. Indonesia also acted as host to the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific Regional Seminar on National Training Progremme Concerning Disability (November 1986) and the FESPIC Games at Surakarta (July 1986). Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, the Syrian Arab Republic and Oman supplied technical and financial support to other developing countries in the Western Asia region.
IV. TECHNICAL CO-OPERATION ACTIVITIES
A. United Nations system
30. During the period under review, the Centre for Social Development and Humanitarian Affairs, in co-operation with the Department of Technical Co-operation for Development provided short-term advisory services on disability policies and programmes at the request of the Governments of Guinea and Uganda. In Guinea, these services addressed the equalization of opportunities of disabled persons within the framework of the National Recovery Programme, 1987-1991. In Uganda, the aim was to promote income-generating opportunities and to renovate rehabilitation services following the end of the civil unrest. The Uganda advisory mission was carried out in co-operation with the Norwegian Organization of Disabled Persons (a non-governmental organization).
The Centre for Social Development and Humanitarian Affairs continued to provide, on behalf of the Department of Technical Co-operation for Development, substantive support to technical co-operation projects in Mauritania (National Orthopedic and Functional Rehabilitation Centre) and in Somalia (Establishment of a Secretariat for the National Social Welfare Council).
Within the United Nations system, the International Labour Organisation (ILO), has been conducting research among other activities, with the Government of Indonesia on jobs that can be undertaken by disabled persons. ILO has also helped Indonesia to implement the UNDP-funded project on Development of supporting resources for community rehabilitation of disabled. UNDP and ILO also provided funds to equip the Rehabilitation Centre at Surakarta, Java.
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has supplied assistance, to Bahrain, Chile, China, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Panama, Senegal, Syria and Venezuela.
The united Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF provided suss 1.4 million for the period 1985-1989, to set up a school for training special teachers in Nanking and to publish Braille materials in Shanghai. UNICEF plans further assistance to

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China, estimated at (US 48 million, for 19 projects on disability prevention and rehabilitation of disabled children. UNICEF is also supporting disability-related activities in Bahrain, Belize, Bhutan, Ethiopia, Guyana, Nepal, Oman, the Philippines, Sierra Leone and Thailand,
35. The World Health Organization (WHO) is helping Botswana and Malaysia to review
and strengthen community-based rehabilitation) it also provides assistance to
disability-related activities in the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines,
Romania, Senegal and Thailand.
B. Intergovernmental regional organizations
36. In Latin America, the Panamerican Health Organization supported
disability-related activities in Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, Guyana, Mexico, Panama
and the Organization of American States assisted Costa Rica, Ecuador, Panama and
Venezuela. In Europe, the European Social Fund is assisting disability-related
activities in Ireland and Greece.
C. Non-governmental organizations
37. Non-governmental organizations are an important soders of assistance in the
disability field. These includes the Royal Commonwealth Society for the Blind,
which is assisting Malaysia; Commonwer . Education, Royal Society for the Blind,
assisting Mauritius; Commonwealth Society for the Deaf, assisting Botswana by
providing an audiologist to survey the incidence of deafness in Botswana, to treat
the huaring impaired and to train local extension workers in audiology techniques)
and the Helen Keller International, assisting Indonesia, Nepal and Thailand. Other
non-governmental organizations active in the disability field includes
SOS Austria, Norwegian Church Aid, Ryder, and Cheshire Mission, assisting Nepal) the Swedish Federation of Visually Handicapped) the international Aid Foundation Red banner) Save the Children Fund) Suwasetha Holland, assisting Sri Lanka; Christoffel Blinden Mission, assisting Thailand, among other countries) International Human resistance Programme, assisting Sri Lanka and Thailand) and Rotary International, assisting Nepal and Vanuatu.
38. A number of nongovernmental organizations are active in the disability field
in Africa. Among those cited are: Norwegian Red Cross, which is reviewing
community-based rehabilitation and organizing seminars and workshops) Christoffel
Blind Mission, OXFAM (Oxford Famine Relief Organization), the French Committee tot
Research and Liaison in Favour of Disabled Persons and the Christian Mission
(Burkina Faso), Radda Barna, Bread for the World, International Committee for Red
Cross, Netherlands Volunteers (Ethiopia), Caritas, Lions Club, Catholic Relief
Services (Mauritania), International Council for Education of Visually Impaired,
Commonwealth Education, Royal Society for the Blind, Japan Abilympic Committee,
Terre des Hommes (Mauritius)) Caritas and Knights of Malta (Niger)) Ceritas
Germany, Community of the Brothers of St. Gabriel, Community of the Brothers of

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Charity (Rwanda)) and Senegalese and Norwegian Red Cross, Helen Keller International Foundation, World Rehabilitation Fund and Goodwill Industries (Senegal).
V. VOLUNTARY FUND FOR THE UNITED NATIONS DECADE OF DISABLED PERSONS
A. Project cycle activities for the biennium 1986-1987, as at 30 June 1987
During the period of January 1986 to June 1987, the Fund received approximately 75 requests for Assistance, of which 23 were approved for funding, involving a resource commitment of $U3 659,170. A list of the projects approved during the period from January 1986 to June 1987 appears in annex I to the present report.
Table 1 indicates that, by the mid-point of the United Nations Decade of
D. 'bled Persons, the Fund had provided support to 78 projects and activities aimed at furthering the implementation of the World Programme of Action. That support represents a resource commitment by the Fund of nearly $US 2 million. Thirty per cent of the projects supported and nearly two fifths (36 per cent) of the resources disbursed occurred during the 18-month period from January 1986 to June 1987.
Table 1. Voluntary Fund disbursements, by region, number of projects and value of commitment

Number of projects approved
January 1980 to January 1986 December 1985 to June 1987 Value of grant (US dollars)
Region
January 1980 to December 1985 January 1986 to June 1987
Africa 15 4 277 545 352 830
Asia and Pacific 12 8 165 055 134 350
Europe 1. 1 440
Latin America and Caribbean 6 1 60 550 7 500
Western Asia 2 1 41 493 23 650
Interregional and global 22 9 627 634 140 840
Total 58 23 1 173 717 659 170

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B.. Trends in the use of the resources of the Voluntary Fund 1. Geographic distribution
At the mid-point of the Decade, a basic shift in funding emphasis is evident from assistance for interregional and global activities to country-specific and regional-level action in support of the World Programme of Action and of the Decade. Table 1 indicates that, during the first five years of the Fund's operations, interregional and global activities accounted for more than one half (53 per cent) of the resources disbursed. For the biennium 1986-1987, interregional and global activities constituted one fifth (21 per cent) of the resources disbursed, one explanation for this pattern of resource disbursements is that a number of grants initially made from the Fund were for promoting greater awareness and understanding of disability issues at global and regional levels. Grants wore also made to assist Governments in implementing the World Programme of Action. As a result, countries have become increasingly aware of key disability issues and look to the Fund as an important resource both for strengthening national capacities to deal with disability prevention, rehabilitation and equalization of opportunities and for reinforcing disability-related concerns in development plans and programmes.
At the regional level, Africa continues to account for the greatest percentage of resources disbursed to date, followed by Asia and the Pacific. The Asia-Pacific region, however, has the greatest .number of projects supported by the Fund.
2. Areas of activity
4 3. In accordance with guidance received from the General Assembly, priority in the allocation of the resources of the Fund is given to catalytic and innovative activities relating to the implementation of the World Programme of Action within the framework of the Decade. Table 2 indicates that a fundamental shift has occurred among the areas of activity receiving support from the Fund. Promotional activities and data collection now represent a vastly reduced percentage of projects. Hequests increasingly relate to national capability-building efforts as an essential means of implementing the World Programme of Action. By the mid-point of the Decade, two thirds of the Fund's resources disbursed were for training (37 per cent) and for support to organizations of disabled persons (29 per cent). This pattern of resource allocations has continued in the biennium 1986-1987 with training activities alone making up more than two thirds (69 per cont) of the resources disbursed. Information exchange has also become an important area of activity as countries look to the Fund to support their efforts a promote increased transfers of disability-related technologies and experiences, particularly those which are appropriate to conditions prevailing in developing countilos, whore the vast majority of the world's disabled population resides.

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Table 2. Distribution of approved Voluntary Fund-assisted projects by principal area of activity a no value

Number of projects Value of projects (US dollars)
Area January 1980 to December 1985 January 1986 to June 1987 January 1980 to January 1986 December 1985 to June 1987
Promotional activities 9 1 155 709 14 000
Support to organiza-tions of or concerned with disabled persons 12 4 336 692 67 000
Data collection} applied research 10 4 184 632 42 500
Training 16 8 430 418 453 830
Information exchange 6 6 37 966 81 840
Technical co-operation on disability policies and programmes 2
55 23 20 100 1 173 717
Total

659 170

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3. Project execution
44. Table 3 indicates that non-governmental organizations - particularly of disabled persons themselves - in co-operation with Governments, continue to play an important and growing role in the organization and execution of projects assisted by the Fund. That trend, which is particularly evident in the biennium 1986-1987 when the role of both Governments and the United Nations system in executing Fund-assisted projects declined from levels prevailing during the first half of the Decade, may be related to the Fund's emphasis on providing support to small-scale, catalytic and innovative activities in the disability field.
Table 3. Executing agencies for projects assisted by the Voluntary Fund

January 19B0 to December 1985 (percentage) January 1986 to June 1987 (percentage)

Types of agency

Governments 20 13
United Nations system 25 9
Other international organizations 4 4
Non-governmental organizations 51 74
4. Selected project experiences
45. As indicated in the preceding paragraphs, the majority of the grants by the Fund during the period under review were for capacity-building in the disability field at the national and regional levels. For instance, the Fund and the non-governmental organization. International Fund Sports Disabled, co-financed training workshops for sports instructors for disabled persons. A workshop for francophone Africa was hosted by the Government of Algeria in Algiers from 19 to 30 April 1986, and one for Asia and the Pacific by the Government of Malaysia at Kuala Lumpur from 13 to 24 April 1987. One result of the Africa workshop was the decision by participants to create a provisional co-ordinating committee on sports activities for disabled persons in Africa. The Fund has also helped the Asian Federation of Laryngectomees to develop a regional programme for training persons who have lost their larynx in the esophageal method of speech. Participants are also trained to serve as instructors in their own countries and to promote the social integration of Laryngectomees throughout the region. The programme is unique among Asian-Pacific countries, with 19 Laryngectomees trained during the first two years of the programme, 1985-1986. Twenty-four trainees are currently enrolled.

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Catalytic and innovative activities receive special attention from the Fund. In Indonesia, the Fund is assisting Proyek Rehabilitasi Bethesda, a non-governmental organization which provides non-institutional rehabilitation services to children and young adults, to develop training in income-generating activities and to organize a training workshop on orthotics and prosthetics. In Mali, the Fund is co-financing, with the European Economic Community and the Foundation of France, among other donors, a pilot project on development of systems and procedures for detecting impairments in children with mental disabilities. The project is being carried out by the Association Malienne de Latte contre Defioiences Hentales chez L’Enfant, a non-governmental organization, in co-operation with the Ministry of Health.
Information exchange and technology transfer are emerging areas of importance for the Fund. Grants were made to the world Blind Union to defray part of the costs of publishing the International newsletter for the deaf-blind, which is the only such publication of its type, and to the International Commission on Technical Aids for an Asian-Pacific Seminar on appropriate technical aids for disabled persons, held at Bombay from 20 to 22 September 1986, which was the first in a proposed series of regional seminars on appropriate disability technologies.
These are only a few examples of the varied types of activity addressed by the Fund. They focus on areas which do not find priority In the country programmes presented by Governments for financing by UNDP and for which alternative sources of international funding are extremely scarce or non-existent.
C. Project co-financing
49. During the period under review, project co-financing arrangements were
effected with (a) the Arab Gulf Programme for United Nations Development
Organizations, for disability-related projects in India, Lebanon, Swaziland,
Tunisia, and Uruguay, (b) UNDP, for assistance to the National Orthopedic and
Functional Rehabilitation Centre in Mauritania and (o) the United States Agency for
International Development for strengthening disability prevention measures in
Jamaica.
D. Financial situation and resources mobilization 1. Financial situation
50. In the light of the foregoing and of the continuing high demand for
assistance, it is regrettable that pledges and contributions to the Fund have
declined each year since the celebration in 1981 of the International Year of
Disabled Persons. For instance, collections during the biennium 1980-1981 totalled
$U8 896,7891 those figures declined by more than one half to $US 349,371 for the
biennium 1982-1983) and in 1984-1985, they fell even further to $US 62,073. The
resources of the Fund have, however, been augmented by public donations, interest
Income and other income. Consequently, during the first half of the Decade, the
Fund was able to maintain an average annual funding level of close to $US 300,000.

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In response to the growing awareness of disability-related issues and the considerable need for assistance in this field, disbursements by the Fund ought to increase during the biennium 1986-1987, at least, to an annual average of $U9 350,000.
Even that amount would Call far short of requirements for assistance in this critical area and the achievement of such a level is dependent upon adequate resources being made available. should pledges to the Fund not be forthcoming from Member States at a level necessary to enable the Fund to respond effectively to the grow up volume of requests for assistance, it is conceivable that activities financed by the Fund would cease before the end of the Decade and that a large number of priority requests from developing countries for assistance in the disability field would not be funded.
Annex II contains data on pledges and contributions to the Fund, and
annex III, data on income and expenditures, as well as on assets and liabilities of the Fund.
2. Resource mobilization
In connection with the observance of the mid-point of the United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons, the Government of Italy has informed the United Nations Secretariat of its decision to contribute the amount of $U8 100,000 to the Voluntary Fund.
The Fund participated at the 1986 Pledging Conference for the United Nations Operational Activities, during which only 10 countries made pledges totalling $U8 61,923.57.
Pursuant to the guidance received from the General Assembly, the Fund circulates periodically a select annotated list of project proposals awaiting financing as a means of mobilizing special-purpose contributions for the Fund.
It is abundantly clear, none the less, that if the Fund is to survive and if genuine progress is to be made towards the attainment of the declared objectives of the World Programme of Action, new impetus must be generated in the mobilization of resources. This is all the more imperative because it has been demonstrated that with relatively modest resources, a very large proportion of the disabilities that cause so much suffering in the world today can be prevented or alleviated, especially in developing countries. Sinoe a major effort, both on the part of Governments and of the United Nations Secretariat, will be required. Member States may wish to direct special attention to this crucial issue.

A/42/551 English Page 17
E. Management and co-ordination 1. Management of the Voluntary Fund
As a result of the current restructuring of the Secretariat, managerial responsibilities for the Fund were transferred from the Under-Secretary-General for International Economic and Social Affairs to the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Vienna. Consequently, the managerial and substantive aspects of Fund operations have been consolidated at one duty station. Financial approval for grants to be made from the resources of the Fund remains with the Department of Administration and Management at United Nations Headquarters.
In an effort to streamline and rationalize the operations of the Fund, a Trust Fund Operations Committee has been set up in the Centre for Social Development and Humanitarian Affairs of the United Nations Office at Vienna, which, inter alia, reviews project funding proposals prior to their submission for financial approval. This procedure has also served to reinforce the interdisciplinary aspects of the operations of the Fund.
2. Inter-agency co-operation
59. Technical co-operation in the disability field and the activities of the
Voluntary Fund were considered by the fifth ad hoc interagency meeting on the
United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons, held at Vienna, from 18 to
20 February 1987. Participants emphasized the need to strengthen arrangements for intersectoral co-ordination in the disability field. It was proposed that UNDP be approached as to possibilities of identifying a select list of countries where model collaborative approaches could be developed and tested. Among the mechanisms discussed was the convening, at the request of Governments concerned, of country-level sectoral consultative meetings among concerned governmental organizations and bodies, potential donors and the United Nations.
60. Participants also heard a statement by a Senior Consultant to IMPACT (An
International Initiative Against Avoidable Disablement) on preparations for a
global publicity and fund-raising event on behalf of the Decade scheduled to take
place in 1989. The Voluntary Fund provided a grant of seed-money for its
preparatory activities which, if it can be successfully organized, would be exactly
the kind of event that could recapture public attention and breathe new life into
the currently flagging fortunes of the World Programme of Action for the Disabled
while at the same time mobilizing desperately needed resources.
VI. RESEARCH AND STUDIES
61. In addition to the organization and conduct of the first round of monitoring
and evaluation of the implementation of the World Programme of Action, the Centre
for Social Development and Humanitarian Affairs also undertook studies and research
on selected disability issues. A working paper was prepared on the establishment
of national disability committees and is being circulated for substantive

A/42/551 English Page 18
comments, 'The publication, Manual on equalization of opportunities for Disabled Persons (ST/ESA/177) was issued) and the Centre, in co-operation with the Swedish International Development Agency, prepared guidelines on the organization of training workshops on equalization of opportunities.
62. Pursuant to the recommendations on research,, monitoring and evaluation contained in paragraphs 194-201 of the World Programme of Action (A/37/351/Add.1), the United Nations Statistical Office completed the first stage of implementation of the United Nations Disability Statistics Data Base in mid-1987, with support from the Voluntary Fund for the United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons. As reported to the Global Meeting of Experts, statistical sources on disability were identified and documented for 76 countries or areas, in many cases for several different years, for the period from 1980 to 1986, and for an additional 19 countries or areas for the period 1960-1979. 4/ Thus far, detailed statistics have been compiled by the Statistical Office for 55 of those countries and areas, and a preliminary presentation of statistics and indicators for 18 countries and areas (8 in Africa and 10 in Asia) was submitted as a conference room paper to the Global Meeting of Experts. The statistical report also described progress in the development of the Disability Statistics Data Base and in the development of indicators for use in connection with the data base for monitoring and evaluating implementation of the World Programme of Action and progress in the United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons. The development of the United Nations Disability Statistics Data Base is based on case studies of disability statistics in five countries, prepared by the Statistical Office in 1984/95. 5/ A technical report on the development of statistical concepts and methods on disability for household surveys was also completed by the Statistical Office in 1987 and will be published in early 1988.
Notes
1/ Burkina Faso, the Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic, Chile, China, Cyprus, Czechoslovakia, Finland, Germany, Federal Republic of, German Democratic Republic, Ghana, Greece, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Iraq, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Kuwait, The Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Malawi, Mexico, Panama, the Philippines, Rwanda, Senegal, Spain, Sweden and Yugoslavia.
2/ Argentina, Australia, Bahrain, Belgium, Benin, Botswana, Canada, the Central African Republic, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, the Dominican Republic, the German Democratic Republic, Germany, Federal Republic of, Greece, Grenada, Guinea, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Iraq, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Maldives, Mauritius, Mexico, Panama* Portugal, the Republic of Korea, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, the United Republic of Tanzania, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, Samoa, Yugoslavia, Zaire and Zambia.

A/42/551 English Page 19
3/ Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belgium, Belize, Burundi, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Cote d'Ivoire, Cuba, Cyprus, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Finland, the German Democratic Republic, Germany, Federal Republic of, Ghana, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, the Republic of Korea, Mali, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Niger, Pakistan, the Philippines, Poland, Saint Lucia, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Sweden, Thailand, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the United States of America, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Yugoslavia, Zaire and Zambia.
4/ "Development of statistics for monitoring the implementation of the World Programme of action concerning Disabled Persons, 1983-1992" (CSDHA/DDP/GME/4), table 1.
5/ Development of Statistics of Disabled Persons: Case studies. Statistics on Special Population Groups, Series Y, No. 2 (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.86.XVII.17).

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ANNEX I
Projects supported by the Voluntary Fund Cor the United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons, from January 1986 to June 1987
A. Africa
Assistance to establish systematic detection of mental deficiencies among children (Bamako, Mali).
Support to the National Orthopedic and Functional Rehabilitation Centre (Nouakchott, Mauritania).
International Fund Sports Disabled: First International Training Workshop of Sports for Disabled in Favour of Developing Countries (Algiers, Algeria, 19-30 April 1986) (regional).
Irish Institute for Mental Handicap: Support for training of four Tanzanian trainers in community-based programmes for the developmentally disabled (regional).
B. Asia and the Pacific
Proyek Rehabilitasi Bethesda: community-based rehabilitation services for disabled persons (Indonesia).
Disabled, Inc. (Philippines): Seminar on organization and management for disabled leaders (Manila, 26-28 June 1987;.
Asian Federation of Laryngectomees Association: support for the 1985-86 instructor's training courses in the esophageal method for Laryngectomees in Asia (regional).
Asian Federation of Laryngectomees Association: support for the 1986-87 instructor's training courses in the esophageal method for Laryngectomees in Asia (regional).
International Commission on Technical Aids: support for a regional seminar on appropriate technical aids for disabled persons (Bombay, 22-26 September 1986).
10. International Fund Sports Disabled: Second International workshop of Sports
for Disabled in Favour of Developing Countries (Kuala Lumpur,
13-27 April 1987) (regional).
11. Rehabilitation International: Eighth Asia and Pacific Regional Conference of
Rehabilitation International (Bombay, 15-20 September 1986).

A/42/551 English Page 21
12. Economic and Social Commission Cor Asia and the Pacific: Regional expert
semirar to review achievements at the mid-point of the United Nations Decade
of Disabled Persons (Bangkok, 2-5 June 1987).
C. Latin America and the Caribbean
13. Disabled Peoples' International (North America and Caribbean Region)i
Regional conference on the mid-Decade of Disabled Persons (Kingston,
27-28 July 1987).
D. Western Asia
14. Assistance to the Al-Amal Institute for Mentally Retarded Children - expansion
of the Broumnana Centre (Lebanon).
E. Interregional and global
Committee on the Promotion of Aid to Co-operatives: Preparation and dissemination of the manual "Co-operatives of disabled persons - guidelines for promotion and organization" (global).
IMPACT Foundation (United Kingdom): Preparatory assistance for planning and organization of a global event in support of the United Nations Docade of Disabled Persons.
International Council for Building Research Studies and Documentation! Second International Seminar on Creating Non-handicapping Environments) renewal of inner cities (Prague, 15-17 October 1987).
Polish Society for Rehabilitation of Disabled Personal International Seminar on mass media and disabled persons 'Warsaw, 23-25 September 1987).
Rehabilitation International: International Expert Group Meeting on Legislation on Equalization of Opportunities of Disabled Persons (Vienna, 1-6 June 1986).
Rehabilitation International: Third Consultation of the International Round Table for the Advancement of Counselling: counselling disabled persons and their families (Vienna, 4-8 July 1987).
Global Meeting of Experts to Review and Assess the Implementation of the World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons at the mid-Point of the United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons: assistance to disabled participants from developing countries (Stockholm, 17-22 August 1987) (interregional).

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world Blind Union: Support tot publication of the International Newsletter for the Deaf-Blind during 1985-86 (global).
World Blind Union: Support for publication of the International Newsletter for the Deaf-Blind, 1987 edition.

English Page 23
ANNEX II Voluntary Fund for the United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons
I. STATEMENT OF INCOME AND EXPENDITURE FOR THE TWELVE-MONTH PERIOD OF THE BIENNIUM 1986-1987 ENDED 31 DECEMBER 1986
(United States dollars)

Income
Pledged contributions 72 008
Interest income 83 394
Miscellaneous income 5 537
Total income

160 939
Expenditure

Staff and other personnel costs 21 214
Travel 2 150
Operating expenses 2 820
Acquisitions 5 653
Fellowships, grants, other 306 656
Subtotal

338 493
Programme support costs 42 988
Total expenditure

381 481
Excess of income over expenditure

(220 542)
II. STATEMENT OP ASSETS AND LIABILITIES AS AT 31 DECEMBER 1986
(United States dollars)

Assets
Cash 761 325
Pledged contributions unpaid 88 076
Accounts receivable 5 555
Operating funds provided to execu ting agencies 321 260
Total assets

1 176 216

A/42/551 English Page 24

Liabilities
Unliquidated obligations Reserve for allocations Deferred income 50 555
317 690
62 984
Total liabilities 431 229
Fund balance
Balance available 1 January 1986
Add: Excess of income over expenditure 1 283 219 (220 542)
Subtotal Less; Transfers to reserve for allocations 1 062 677 (317 690)
Balance available 31 December 1986 744 987
Total liabilities and Fund balance 1 176 216

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ANNEX III
Voluntary Fund for the United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons
Cumulative contributions from Member States (In United States dollars)

Cumulative total
Countries 1978-1979 1980-1981 1982-1983 1984-1985 1986
1987 a/
Australia 55 810 55 810
Austria 22 479 27 677 50 156 21 127
Belgium 25 000 7 843 35 000 67 843
Cameroon 851 1 252 2 103
Canada 82 900 82 900
Chile 5 000 5 000 5 000
China 10 000 10 000 10 000
Cyprus 1 000 1 000
Ethiopia 5 000 5 000
France 19 481 31 281 14 286 65 048 15 221
Germany,
Federal
Republic of 267 775 267 775
Greece 10 000 5 000 15 000 5 000
Holy See 1 000 1 000 1 000
India 10 063 10 063
Indonesia 3 000 3 000
Japan 200 000 200 000
Jordan 1 000 1 000
Kuwait 7 367 7 367
Libyan Arab
Jamahiriya 100 000 250 000 350 000
Luxembourg 0 1 786
Malta 250 250
Mauritius 1 000 1 000
Oman 5 000 5 000 10 000 (5 000) 15 000
Pakistan 10 000 10 000
Panama 0 350

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Cumulative total
Countries 1978-1979 1980-1981 1982-1983 1984-1985 1986
1987 a/
Philippines 5 000 4 965 9 985 1 000
Portugal 1 000 1 000
Qatar 4 000 4 000
Saudi Arabia 150 000 150 000
Senegal 2 000 301 2 301
Sweden 10 000 10 000
Uganda 4 482 4 482
United
States of
America 10 3 000 103 000
Yugoslavia 104 2 439 2 543 2 500
Zaire 500 500
Zambia 435 435
TOTALS 115 000 896 789 351 371 79 393 72 008 1 514 561 62 984
a/ Amounts pledged at 1986 pledging Conference for Development Activities.