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Objectives, Background and Concepts
- Objectives
- Background
- Definition
The purpose of the World Programme of Action concerning Disabled
Persons is to promote effective measures for prevention of disability, rehabilitation and
the realization of the goals of ''full participation'' of disabled persons in social life
and development, and of ''equality''. This means opportunities equal to those of the whole
population and an equal share in the improvement in living conditions resulting from
social and economic development. These concepts should apply with the same scope and with
the same urgency to all countries, regardless of their level of development.
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More than 500 million people in the world are disabled as a
consequence of mental, physical or sensory impairment. They are entitled to the same
rights as all other human beings and to equal opportunities. Too often their lives are
handicapped by physical and social barriers in society which hamper their full
participation. Because of this, millions of children and adults in all parts of the world
often face a life that is segregated and debased.
An analysis of the situation of disabled persons has to be carved out within the
context of different levels of economic and social development and different cultures.
Everywhere, however, the ultimate responsibility for remedying the conditions that lead to
impairment and for dealing with the consequences of disability rests with Governments.
This does not weaken the responsibility of society in general, or of individuals, or of
organizations Governments should take the lead in awakening the consciousness of
populations regarding the gains to be derived by individuals and society from the
inclusion of disabled persons in every area of social, economic and political life.
Governments must also ensure that people who are made dependent by severe disability have
an opportunity to achieve a standard of living equal to that of their fellow citizens.
Non-governmental organizations can, in different ways, assist Governments by formulating
needs, suggesting suitable solutions and providing services complementary to those
provided by Governments. Sharing of financial and material resources by all sections of
the population, not omitting the rural areas of developing countries, could be of major
significance to disabled persons by resulting in expanded community services and improved
economic opportunities.
Much disability could be prevented through measures taken against malnutrition,
environmental pollution, poor hygiene, inadequate prenatal and postnatal care, water-borne
diseases and accidents of all types . The international community could make a major
breakthrough against disabilities caused by poliomyelitis, tetanus, whooping-cough and
diphtheria, and to a lesser extent tuberculosis, through a world-wide expansion of
programmes of immunization.
In many countries, the prerequisites for achieving the purposes of the Programme are
economic and social development, extended services provided to the whole population in the
humanitarian area, the redistribution of resources and income and an improvement in the
living standards of the population. It is necessary to use every effort to prevent wars
leading to devastation, catastrophe and poverty, hunger, suffering, diseases and mass
disability of people, and therefore to adopt measures at all levels to strengthen
international peace and security, to settle all international disputes by peaceful means
and to eliminate all forms of racism and racial discrimination in countries where they
still exist. It would also be desirable to recommend to all States Members of the United
Nations that they maximize the use of their resources for peaceful purposes, including
prevention of disability and satisfaction of the needs of disabled persons. All forms of
technical assistance that help developing countries to move towards these objectives can
support the implementation of the Programme. The realization of these objectives will,
however, require extended periods of effort, during which the number of disabled persons
is likely to increase. Without effective remedial action, the consequences of disability
will add to the obstacles to development. Hence, it is essential that all nations should
include in their general development plans immediate measures for the prevention of
disability, for the rehabilitation of disabled persons and for the equalization of
opportunities.
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The following distinction is made by the World Health
Organization, in the context of health experience, between impairment, disability and
handicap:
"Impairment: Any loss or abnormality of psychological,
physiological, or anatomical structure or function.
"Disability: Any restriction or lack {resulting from an
impairment) of ability to perform an activity in the manner or within the range considered
normal for a human being.
"Handicap: A disadvantage for a given individual, resulting from
an impairment or disability, that, limits or prevents the fulfillment of a role that is
normal, depending on age, sex, social and cultural factors, for that individual." 2/
Handicap is therefore a function of the relationship between disabled persons and their
environment. It occurs when they encounter cultural, physical or social barriers which
prevent their access to the various systems of society that are available to other
citizens. Thus, handicap is the loss or-limitation of opportunities to take part in the
life of the community on an equal level with others.
Disabled people do not form a homogeneous group. For example, the mentally ill and the
mentally retarded, the visually, hearing and speech impaired and those with restricted
mobility or with so-called ''medical disabilities'' all encounter different barriers, of
different kinds, which have to be overcome in different ways.
The following definitions are developed from that perspective. The relevant terms of
action proposed in the World Programme are defined as prevention, rehabilitation and
equalization of opportunities.
Prevention means measures aimed at preventing the onset of mental,
physical and sensory impairments (primary prevention ) or at preventing impairment, when
it has occurred, from having negative physical, psychological and social consequences.
Rehabilitation means a goal-oriented and time-limited process aimed at
enabling an impaired person to reach an optimum mental, physical and/or social functional
level, thus providing her or him with the tools to change her or his own life. It can
involve measures intended to compensate for a loss of function or a functional limitation
(for example by technical aids) and other measures intended to facilitate social
adjustment or readjustment.
Equalization of opportunities means the process through which the
general system of society, such as the physical and cultural environment, housing and
transportation, social and health services, educational and work opportunities, cultural
and social life, including sports and recreational facilities, are made accessible to all.
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Notes
2/ International Classification of Impairments, Disabilities and Handicaps (ICIDH),
World Health Organization, Geneva, 1980.
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