International Day of Disabled People

“Nothing about Us without Us” is the motto of this year’s International Day of the Disabled People. Proclaimed by the General Assembly in October 1992, this day aims to raise awareness on disabled people’s rights at national and international levels.

On the 3rd December 1982, the UN General Assembly decided on the World Program of Action for Disabled People. The United Nations committed itself and its members to promote the full participation of disabled people in social life and development as well as prevention and rehabilitation measures.

Twelve years on, many problems are still unresolved. Disabled people are not yet fully considered within international development issues. They are still excluded from society in many countries of the world. Even where effective disability legislation is in place, the implementation lacks ideas and is hindered by negative attitudes towards disabled people.

Facts and figures

The World Health Organization estimates that there are 600 million disabled people worldwide, about 10% of the world population. It is also estimated that about 80% of all disabled people worldwide live in developing countries.

More and more, disability is seen as a social issue which is not only based on medical reasons. The organization “Disabled Peoples’ International” defines disability as the interaction between the person with impairment and environmental and attitudinal barriers he or she may face. Therefore the reasons for disability are always complex and can only be understood within the context of societies and cultures.

Role of Handicap International

In its 20 years of existence, Handicap International has changed from being an emergency organization with a rather medical focus on disabled people, to an organization which promotes the human rights of disabled people.

Our organization is working in partnership with Disabled Peoples’ Organizations at local, national and international levels to empower disabled people worldwide and encourage their inclusion into society. Our function as a facilitator can be best seen in our involvement in the process of the development of the UN Convention. Handicap International helps organizations in developing countries and Europe to implement the convention and other legal tools in every day life.