World Programme of Action Concerning Disabled Persons

World Programme of Action Concerning Disabled Persons
Name	World Programme of Action Concerning Disabled Persons
Date adopted	1982
Adopted by	United Nations General Assembly
Location	New York City
Related	International Year of Disabled Persons, Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

World Programme of Action Concerning Disabled Persons The World Programme of Action Concerning Disabled Persons was a global policy framework adopted to guide United Nations General Assembly responses to disability issues and to coordinate action by Member States, United Nations agencies, and non-governmental organizations following the International Year of Disabled Persons. It sought to align efforts across bodies such as the United Nations Economic and Social Council, United Nations Development Programme, World Health Organization, International Labour Organization, and regional organizations including the European Commission and the African Union. The Programme influenced later instruments like the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and informed policy debates at forums including the World Summit for Social Development and the Millennium Summit.

Background and Adoption

The Programme was prepared in the context of the International Year of Disabled Persons and was developed through consultations among Member States, representatives of non-governmental organizations, experts from the World Health Organization, International Labour Organization, and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, and submitted to and adopted by the United Nations General Assembly. Drafting involved inputs from national bodies such as the United States Department of Health and Human Services, the Government of Sweden, the Government of India, and advocacy groups including Rehabilitation International and the Disabled Peoples' International. Adoption occurred amid parallel initiatives like the Declaration on the Rights of Mentally Retarded Persons and discussions at the Commission for Social Development.

Objectives and Principles

The Programme articulated objectives to promote equalization of opportunities, rehabilitation, and prevention, with guiding principles derived from instruments such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. It emphasized non-discrimination as reflected in precedents like the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women and aligned with standards promoted by the World Health Organization and the International Labour Organization on employment and social protection. The Programme encouraged the mainstreaming approaches later echoed in the Beijing Declaration and the policy language of the World Bank and Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.

Key Measures and Implementation Areas

The Programme identified priority areas including prevention of disability linked to initiatives by the World Health Organization, rehabilitation services exemplified by programs in the United Kingdom, Canada, and Japan, equalization of opportunities in employment guided by International Labour Organization standards, and social integration measures promoted by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. It proposed technical cooperation, capacity-building by agencies such as the United Nations Development Programme and the United Nations Children's Fund, data collection aligned with methodologies from the World Health Organization and statistical bodies like the United Nations Statistics Division, and legislative reform inspired by domestic laws such as the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (UK). The Programme recommended partnerships with international NGOs including HelpAge International and professional bodies such as the World Federation of Occupational Therapists.

International and National Implementation

Implementation relied on coordination among multilateral organizations including the World Health Organization, International Labour Organization, United Nations Development Programme, and regional commissions like the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean and the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific. Member States varied in responses: examples include policy initiatives in Sweden, legislative reforms in the United States, programme development in India, and institutional mechanisms in Australia. Civil society actors such as Disabled Peoples' International and national networks influenced national plans, while donors like the European Commission and multilateral lenders such as the World Bank supported projects. Monitoring mechanisms involved periodic reviews by the Commission for Social Development and reporting to the United Nations Economic and Social Council.

Impact and Criticism

The Programme catalyzed policy development, influenced the drafting of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and prompted national legislation and services in numerous countries including Canada, United Kingdom, and Brazil. Critics argued that its non-binding status limited enforcement compared with treaties such as the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and that implementation suffered from inconsistent funding, limited data comparable to standards of the United Nations Statistics Division, and insufficient participation of organizations like Disabled Peoples' International. Academic and policy critiques cited by scholars associated with institutions such as Harvard University, the London School of Economics, and the World Bank highlighted gaps in accountability, measurable outcomes, and integration with broader development agendas like the Sustainable Development Goals.

Related Instruments and Legacy

The Programme's legacy includes direct influence on the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the establishment of the Biwako Millennium Framework for action, and incorporation into United Nations programming by agencies such as the World Health Organization and the International Labour Organization. It informed regional instruments like the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights implementations and national laws including the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and reforms in the European Union disability policy framework. Ongoing relevance appears in United Nations initiatives such as the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, disability-inclusive policy guidance by the United Nations Development Programme, and advocacy by global coalitions including Rehabilitation International and Disabled Peoples' International.

Category:United Nations documents