Punarbhava-National Interactive Portal on Disability

1945 - 1955 - The United Nations Secretariat and the Economic and Social Council were the principal United Nations bodies concerned with disability issues, focused on promoting the rights of persons with physical disabilities as well as projects on disability prevention and rehabilitation.

1946 - The Social Commission, a subsidiary body to the organization, was entrusted with social questions. At its first session it established the Temporary Social Welfare Committee.

1950 - At its sixth session the Social Commission considered two reports: "The social rehabilitation of the handicapped" and "The social rehabilitation of the blind". Persons with disabilities and rehabilitation were discussed at the Geneva Conference, 26 February - 3 March, attended by the United Nations Secretariat, the International Labour Organization (ILO), the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the International Refugee Organization, (IRO) and the United Nations International Children Emergency Fund (UNICEF), later renamed the United Nations Children's Fund. The Commission agreed on the need to establish international standards for the education, treatment, training and placement of persons with disabilities, with particular attention to be given to blind persons in underdeveloped areas. The Economic and Social Council also recommended that States consider measures to help persons with disabilities.

1955 - 1970 - The focus of the United Nations on disability issues shifted in the late 1950s from a welfare perspective to one of social welfare.

1950 - On 22 November, on the inter-state level the Agreement on the Importation of Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Materials provided for the exemption of customs duties on the importation of certain goods as listed in the Annex of the Agreement. Among the privileged goods are "Articles for the Blind."

1951 - At its seventh session, the Social Commission focused on the problems of social rehabilitation of persons with disabilities, drawing attention to the issues of adaptation and rehabilitation from an integrated perspective.

1952 - At its eighth session the Social Commission discussed international rehabilitation for persons with physical disabilities. Programmes approved by the United Nations, ILO, WHO, UNESCO, UNICEF and IRO were organized into ten categories: a new approach to disability, the education of public opinion, a complete rehabilitation programme, developing rehabilitation services, training rehabilitation personnel, organizing and financing rehabilitation services, the contribution of the United Nations and the specialized agencies, the contribution of non-governmental organizations, and methods of coordination.

1953 - At its ninth session the Social Commission expressed interest in programmes designed for the promotion of services for persons with disabilities which stress their independent and productive role in society.

1956 - The International Social Service Review was founded to raise awareness of disability issues and to emphasize rehabilitation programmes throughout the world.

1960s - The Social Commission began to develop monitoring mechanisms for the various United Nations rehabilitation programmes, specialized agencies, governmental and non-governmental organizations. A study and a survey were conducted on the administrative and legislative aspects of rehabilitation programmes and on facilities for training personnel in rehabilitation. An increased awareness was developing regarding the importance of new rehabilitation strategies.

1969 - The General Assembly adopted the Declaration on Social Progress and Development and affirmed, inter alia, the fundamental freedoms and principles of peace articulated in the Charter of the United Nations. Article 19 addressed the provision of health, social security, and social welfare services for all persons, aiming at the rehabilitation of persons with intellectual and physical disabilities to facilitate their integration into society.

1970s - The 1970s marked a new approach to disability. The concept of human rights for persons with disabilities began to be accepted internationally.

1970 - The Social Commission, at an inter-agency meeting attended by the ILO, UNESCO, WHO, UNICEF and the Council on World Organizations, promoted a new cooperative effort to assist developing countries with rehabilitation efforts. The ILO, UNESCO, WHO, UNICEF, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the World Rehabilitation Fund designed a programme to increase funds for technical assistance in the rehabilitation field, and rehabilitation experts were assigned to locations throughout the world.

1971 - On 20 December the General Assembly proclaimed the Declaration on the Rights of Mentally Retarded Persons and called for national and international action to embrace it as the accepted basis and frame of reference for protecting the rights of the persons with disabilities.

1972 - The Administrative Committee on Coordination considered recommendations of a report on an ad hoc meeting on rehabilitation of persons with disabilities. One recommendation stated that rehabilitation services should be integrated with basic medical, educational and vocational development programmes.

1973 - From 26 - 28 November, the ad hoc Inter-Agency Meeting on Rehabilitation of the Disabled was held in Geneva, attended by representatives of the United Nations, UNDP, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), UNICEF, ILO, UNESCO, WHO, the Council of World Organizations Interested in the Handicapped, and the International Social Security Association. A strengthening of coordination and planning in the field of rehabilitation of the persons with disabilities was proposed. It was also suggested that the United Nations increase recruitment of persons with disabilities within the Organization.

1975 - At its twenty-fourth session the Commission for Social Development recommended elimination of physical and architectural barriers that prevent the full social integration of persons with disabilities. On 6 May the Economic and Social Council adopted resolution 1921 (LVIII), dealing with disability prevention and rehabilitation of persons with disabilities.

1975 - In December the General Assembly adopted the Declaration on the Rights of Disabled Persons, which states that all persons with disabilities are entitled to the rights stipulated, without respect to race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinions, national or social origin, state of wealth, birth or any other situation.

1976 - The General Assembly recommended that all Member States take into account the recommendations outlined in the Declaration on the Rights of Disabled Persons when formulating policies, plans and programmes. It also proclaimed 1981 as the International Year for Disabled Persons , stressing that the Year should be devoted to fully integrating persons with disabilities into society and encouraging relevant study and research projects to educate the public on the rights of persons with disabilities. A trust fund for Member States' contributions to the International Year is established by the Secretary-General.

1978 - The Secretary-General established the intergovernmental Advisory Committee for the International Year of Disabled Persons.

1980s - Numerous efforts, both substantive and promotional, were taken nationally and internationally to improve the situation of persons with disabilities with the goal of increased integration in society and improvements in physical and psychological adjustment of persons with disabilities within their communities. Programmes were launched focusing on rehabilitation and disability prevention. National committees representing 141 countries and territories were established to improve the following areas: social and economic condition of persons with disabilities, development and implementation of programmes, research, policy and decision-making, legislation, decentralization from the national to local levels, and assistance to developing countries.

1981 - Experts in the field of disability meet at several symposiums and conferences:

• International Symposium on Disabled Persons, 27 September - 4 October in Tripoli, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya
• World Symposium of Experts on Technical Cooperation Among Developing Countries and Technical Assistance in Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation of Disabled Persons, 12 - 23 October in Vienna, Austria.
• World Conference on Actions and Strategies on Education, Disability Prevention, and Integration of Disabled Persons, Toremolinos, Spain (held in cooperation with UNESCO).

1981 - Efforts are made to improve accessibility for persons with disabilities at the United Nations Headquarters in New York and the United Nations Offices in Geneva and Vienna. The United Nations Public Information units prepare photo display material, film, television and radio productions on the subject. UNICEF expands immunization to over 5 million children to decrease the potential for disability-causing disease.

1981 - In May, the Commission on Human Settlements endorsed a policy encouraging the United Nations and Member States to eliminate barriers in human settlement areas that would hinder or impede "full participation".

1981 – From 30 November to 6 December international non-governmental organizations participated in the International Year by attending the First Founding Congress of Disabled Peoples International (DPI), in Singapore.

1982 - The General Assembly adopted the World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons. Disability policy was now structured in three main areas: prevention, rehabilitation, and equalization of opportunities.

1982 - On 3 December the General Assembly makes recommendations on the implementation of the World Programme, incorporating the recommendations of the Advisory Committee for the International Year. In the same resolution it also proclaims 1983-1992 the United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons .

1983 - 1992 - With the proclamation of the United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons, 1983-1992, the General Assembly encouraged Member States to use the Decade to implement the World Programme of Action.

1983 - The Secretary-General announced publication of a report on activities concerning disability prevention. It indicated that many disabilities could be prevented by identifying measures to combat malnutrition, environmental pollution, poor hygiene, inadequate prenatal and post-natal care, water-borne diseases and accidents. UNDP, UNICEF and WHO established an international programme with the goal of applying proven techniques to prevent and treat disabilities within general health programmes in New Delhi.

1984 - The Secretary-General reported that an average of 20 - 25 % of the population of developing countries was affected by disability and approximately 350 - 500 million persons with disabilities lived in areas with insufficient services. The report cited a growing tendency to replace institutional care with programmes that help families and communities.

29 August 1984 - - Mr. Leandro Despouy from Argentina was appointed Special Rapporteur by the Sub-Commission on Human Rights, tasked with studying the causal connection between human rights violations, violations of fundamental freedoms, and disability.

1985 - An international initiative was established to promote disability prevention and effective rehabilitation at the national and regional levels. The United Nations Trust Fund for the International Year of Disabled Persons was renamed the Voluntary Fund for the United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons.

1987 - The Secretary-General issued a report stating that much progress had been made in increasing awareness on the significance of disability and its human consequences, though much more needed to be done.

1987 - In August the Secretary-General convened a global meeting of experts to review implementation of the World Programme of Action. Recommendations included developing an international convention on the elimination of discrimination against persons with disabilities, launching a public information campaign, and providing United Nations materials in formats accessible to persons with disabilities.

1988 - The General Assembly called upon Member States to place special emphasis on the equalization of opportunities for persons with disabilities.

1989 - The Secretary-General was requested by the General Assembly to bring to the attention of Member States the Tallinn Guidelines for Action on Human Resources Development in the Field of Disability. The Guidelines recognized persons with disabilities as agents of their own destiny rather than as dependent objects of governments and sought to realize the full potential and capabilities of each individual. Employment was seen as a means for persons with disabilities to effectively exercise their full rights as citizens. The Guidelines stated that persons with disabilities should be trained and employed in the work force on an equal basis with other members of society.

1990s - Five United Nations world conferences were held during the 1990s which emphasized the need for a "society for all", advocating the participation of all citizens, including persons with disabilities, in every sphere of society.

1991 - The Rapporteur reported to the Sub-Commission biannually on the human rights situation of persons with disabilities, submitting his last report in 1991. He recommended the establishment of an international ombudsman.

1991 - The General Assembly adopted the Principles for the Protection of Persons with Mental Illness and for the Improvement of Mental Health Care. Twenty-five principles defined the fundamental freedoms and basic rights of persons with intellectual disabilities.

1992 - The end of the Decade of Disabled Persons was marked by the General Assembly with the establishment of the International Day of Disabled Persons on 3 December. The General Assembly also summarized the United Nations' goals in the field of disability, again emphasizing the importance of the full integration of persons with disabilities into society and encouraging future United Nations conferences to include discussion of disability issues. The Economic and Social Council welcomed the proclamation by the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific of the ‘Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons, 1993-2002’.

1992 - The United Nations Conference on Environment and Development mentioned the interdependence of sustainable social and environmental development, emphasizing the integration of all groups of society including persons with disabilities, in an overall development scheme.

1993 - The Standard Rules on the Equalization of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities were adopted by the General Assembly. The Rules summarized the message of the World Programme of Action and state preconditions for equal opportunity. They also targeted areas of equal participation and promote implementation measures and monitoring mechanisms.

1993 - The World Conference on Human Rights reconsidered universally recognized human rights instruments in light of contemporary issues and adopted the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action. The Conference recognized that all human rights and fundamental freedoms are universal, and thus should unreservedly include persons with disabilities.

1994 - The International Conference on Population and Development was held in Cairo. It recognized the importance of equalizing opportunities for persons with disabilities.

1995 - The World Summit for Social Development was held in Copenhagen in March. It adopted the Copenhagen Declaration on Social Development and the Programme of Action of the World Summit for Social Development.

1995 - From 4 - 15 September, the Fourth World Conference on Women, held in Beijing, focused on gender-related issues in the overall development scheme. Concerns relating to disability were raised in the Beijing Declaration and The Platform for Action, which recognized that women face barriers to full equality and advancement due to factors such as their disability. As part of the programme for the International Day of Disabled Persons, a United Nations inter-agency meeting was held on 7 December 1995. during which various agencies working with persons with disabilities presented their current projects. The meeting was held by the Department for Policy Coordination and Sustainable Development in collaboration with the Department for Public Information of the United Nations Secretariat.

1996 - The Preparatory Committee for the United Nations Conference on Human Settlements, held in Istanbul, Turkey, in June 1996, issued a draft statement of principles and commitments and a global plan of action, which paid particular attention to persons with disabilities who might benefit from affirmative governmental action.

The first Millennium decade - The negotiation and adoption of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

2001 - In December, Mexico proposes in the General Assembly to establish an Ad Hoc Committee to consider proposals for a comprehensive and integral international convention to protect and protect the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities.

August 2002 - December 2006 – the Ad Hoc Committee meets eight times to draft the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its Optional Protocol.

2006 – On 13 December the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is adopted by the General Assembly.

2007 – On 30 March the Convention and Optional Protocol opened for signature at UN Headquarters in New York. States or regional integration organizations may now sign the Convention and Optional Protocol at any time at UN Headquarters in New York.

In 1976, the General Assembly proclaimed 1981 as the International Year of Disabled Persons (IYDP)*. It called for a plan of action at the national, regional and international levels, with an emphasis on equalization of opportunities, rehabilitation and prevention of disabilities.

The theme of IYDP was "full participation and equality", defined as the right of persons with disabilities to take part fully in the life and development of their societies, enjoy living conditions equal to those of other citizens, and have an equal share in improved conditions resulting from socio-economic development.

Other objectives of the Year included: increasing public awareness; understanding and acceptance of persons with disabilities; and encouraging persons with disabilities to form organizations through which they can express their views and promote action to improve their situation.

A major lesson of the Year was that the image of persons with disabilities depends to an important extent on social attitudes; these were a major barrier to the realization of the goal of full participation and equality in society by persons with disabilities.

* General Assembly resolution 31/123

In order to provide a time frame during which Governments and organizations could implement the activities recommended in the World Programme of Action, the General Assembly proclaimed 1983-1992 the United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons*.

With regard to education and employment of persons with disabilities, the General Assembly adopted the "Tallinn Guidelines for Action on Human Resources Development in the Field of Disability" in 1989**. They provided a framework for promoting participation, training and employment of persons with disabilities within all government ministries and on all levels of national policy-making in order to equalize opportunities for persons with disabilities.

In 1991, the General Assembly adopted the Principles for the Protection of Persons with Mental Illness and for the Improvement of Mental Health Care***. The resolution's twenty-five principles defined fundamental freedoms and basic rights of persons with mental illness

* General Assembly resolution 37/52
** General Assembly resolution 38/28
*** A/44/755 (1989)
Source: http://www.un.org/disabilities/default.asp?navid=10&pid=121