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Proposals for the implementation of the World Programme of Action concerning Disabled
Persons
In view of the little knowledge that is available as to the place
of the disabled person within different cultures, which in turn determine attitudes and
behaviour patterns, there is a need to undertake studies focusing on the socio-cultural
aspects of disability. This will give a more perceptive understanding of the relations
between non-disabled and disabled persons in different cultures. The results of such
studies will make it possible to propose approaches suited to the realities of the human
environment. Furthermore, an effort should be made to develop social indicators relating
to the education of disabled persons so as to analyze the problems involved and plan
programmes accordingly.
Member States should develop a programme of research on the causes, types and incidence
of impairment and disability, the economic and social conditions of disabled persons, and
the availability and efficacy of existing resources to deal with these matters.
Research into the social, economic and participation issues that affect the lives of
disabled persons and their families, and the ways these matters are dealt with by society,
is of particular importance. Research data may be obtained through national statistical
offices and census bureaux; however, it should be noted that a household survey programme
designed to collect information about disability issues is more likely to produce useful
results than a general census of the population.
There is also a need to encourage research with a view to developing better aids and
equipment for disabled persons. Particular efforts should be devoted to finding solutions
which are suited to the technological and economic conditions in developing countries.
The United Nations and its specialized agencies should follow the trends of
international research into disability and related research issues to identify existing
needs and priorities, while emphasizing innovative approaches to all forms of action
recommended in the World Programme of Action.
The United Nations should encourage and assist in research projects designed to
increase knowledge about the issues covered in the World Programme of Action. It is
necessary for the United Nations to be familiar with research findings from various
countries and to be aware of research proposals now pending approval. The United Nations
also needs to give increased attention to research results and to stress their use and
their dissemination. A permanent link with bibliographical retrieval systems is highly
recommended.
The regional commissions of the United Nations and other regional bodies should include
in their action plans research activities to assist Governments in implementing the
proposals contained in the World Programme of Action. The key to maximizing the
effectiveness of research expenditure for the disabled is the dissemination and sharing of
information on the results of research. International governmental and non-governmental
agencies should play an active role in establishing collaborative mechanisms between
regional and local institutions for joint studies and for the exchange of information.
Research at the medical, psychological and social levels offers the promise of reducing
physical, mental and social disability. There is a need to develop programmes which
include the identification of areas where the probability of progress through research is
high. The difference between industrialized countries and developing countries should not
prevent the development of fruitful collaboration since many problems are of universal
concern.
Studies in the following fields are of value to both developing and developed
countries:
- Clinical research into the containment of those events which cause disability;
evaluation of the individual's functional capacity from the medical, psychological and
social aspects; and evaluation of rehabilitation programmes, including information
aspects;
- Studies of the prevalence of disability, the functional limitations of the disabled, the
conditions under which they live and the problems they face;
- Health and social service research, including research into the gains and costs of
different rehabilitation and care policies, ways of making programmes as effective as
possible and a search for alternative approaches. Studies of community care of disabled
persons would be particularly relevant to developing countries, and the study and
evaluation of experiments, as well as comprehensive demonstration programmes, would be of
value to all. Much information is available which could be productive for secondary
analysis.
Health and social science research institutions should be encouraged to undertake
research and to collect information on disabled persons. Applied research activities are
of particular value in the development of new techniques for the delivery of services, the
preparation of information materials appropriate for different language and culture
groups, and the training of personnel under conditions relevant to the region.
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It is essential that assessment of the situation relating to
disabled persons should be carried out periodically and that a baseline should be
established to measure developments. The most important criteria for evaluating the World
Programme of Action are suggested by the theme of the International Year of Disabled
Persons, "Full participation and equality". Monitoring and evaluation should be
carried out at periodic intervals at the international and regional levels, as well as at
the national level. Evaluation indicators should be selected by the United Nations
Department of International Economic and Social Affairs in consultation with Member States
and relevant United Nations agencies and other organizations.
The United Nations system should carry out a critical periodic evaluation of progress
made in implementing the World Programme of Action and to that end should select
appropriate indicators for evaluation in consultation with Member States. The Commission
for Social Development should play an important role in this respect. The United Nations,
together with the specialized agencies, should develop, on a continuing basis, suitable
systems for the collection and dissemination of information so as to ensure the
improvement of programmes at all levels on the basis of evaluation results. In this
connection, the Centre for Social Development and Humanitarian Affairs should have an
important role to play.
The regional commissions should be requested to carry out monitoring and evaluation
functions that would contribute to the global assessments carried out at the international
level. Other regional and intergovernmental bodies should be encouraged to take part in
this process.
At the national level, an evaluation of programmes relating to disabled persons should
be carried out periodically.
The Statistical Office is urged, together with other units of the Secretariat, the
specialized agencies and regional commissions, to cooperate with the developing countries
in evolving a realistic and practical system of data collection based either on total
enumeration or on representative samples, as may be appropriate, in regard to various
disabilities, and, in particular, to prepare technical manuals/documents on how to use
household surveys for the collection of such statistics, to be used as essential tools and
frames of reference for launching action programmes in the post-lYDP years to ameliorate
the condition of disabled persons.
In this extensive exercise the United Nations Centre for Social Development and
Humanitarian Affairs should play a major role, supported by the United Nations Statistical
Office.
The Secretary-General should report periodically on efforts by the United Nations and
the specialized agencies to hire more disabled persons and to make their facilities and
information more accessible to disabled persons.
On the basis of the results of the periodic evaluation and of developments in the world
economic and social situation, it may be necessary periodically to revise the World
Programme of Action. These revisions should take place every five years, the first being
in 1987, based upon a report of the Secretary-General to the General Assembly at its
forty-second session. The review should also constitute an input to the process of review
and appraisal of the International Development Strategy for the Third United Nations
Development Decade.
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