A/36/PV.88 General Assembly

On this occasion I have the honour to speak on behalf of the delegations of Denmark, Finland, fceland, Sweden and Norway. 2. Speaking as a disabled person myself, I am happy to say that the International Year of Disabled Persons has indeed been useful. The International Year has focused attention on the problems of disabled persons and has un- derlined the need to promote the realization of the right of disabled persons to participate fully in the social life and dev~lopment of their societies. The International Year has had a wide-reaching effect in educating the public and has offered an occasion for an over-all assessment of the whole range of problems involved. Governments through- out the world have considered the problems, taken stock of the situation and formulated the goals to be pursued in the work ahead. The International Year has been reflected in the media. The message it has stressed to our fellow citizens is that disabled persons are human beings, with their rights and privileges. They too should enjoy their equal share of the improvements in living conditions re- sulting from social and economic development. The Inter- national Year has made people more aware of the scope of the problems and of the urgent need for special efforts to achieve full participation and equality for the world's 450 million disabled persons. 3. These self-evident principles were clearly stated in the draft resolution adopted by consensus by the Third Committee a few days ago [see A/36/764]. 4. The No:-dic countries' interpretation of the Interna- tional Year of Disabled Persons might be summed up in thf' concept of "full participation and equality" or "full social emancipation and integration". This applies to all the plans and practical measures carried out in connection with the Year. Full participation and equality means that disabled persons should have the same rights and oppor- tunities as those who are not disabled-nothing more, but NEW YORK on the other hand nothing lef,. Disabled persons should enjoy the same rights, opportunities and privileges as those offered to other citizens-and on the same terms. For example, blind people should be able to borrow or buy the same books at the same price as sighted persons. The only difference is that the blind should have them in Braille or a~ talking books. Such practical measures would constitute an important step towards the fulfillment of what we see as the very essence of the International Year of Disabled Persons. 5. It is clear that in the long term, prevention of dis- ability is without doubt the most important task to be tackled in the developed as well as in the developing countries. However, work in the field of prevention should not of course reduce efforts to help those already handi- capped. The Nordic Governments, together with the organizations of disabled persons in the Nordic countries, have focused on five main areas of top priority. 6. The first and most important task is to work for changes in the attitudes of the public and to create awareness of what it means in practice to be handicapped. In this manner it will be possible to generate that under- standing which is the first prerequisite for the acceptance of disabled persons by their fellow citizens. Without this acceptance there will be no genuine feeling of solidarity. Our message is clear and simple: disabled persons are just ordinary people. The only difference is that in addition we have to cope with the effects of one, or more than one, handicap. 7. Let me give a few examples of the attitudes we meet. There is a general tendency to concentrate on the hand- icap and its effect rather than on the positive personal qualities and capabilities; in other words, on what dis- abled persons cannot do rather than on what they can do. People tend to speak to the disabled person's guide in- stead of to the handicapped person himself: "How does she want her hair done?" "Would he like another sand- wich?" A court in Europe awarded damages to a lady who complained that her holidays were spoilt because dis- abled persons were staying in the same hotel. We can easily imagine the effect of such a court decision on hotels in countries, for example Nordic ones, with a sub- stantial tourist industry. It is of the utmost importance to fight against ignorance and prejudices, and patronizing and dIscrimmatory attitudes. This is particularly important when it comes to handicaps which cannot be seen, for example mental handicaps. 8. Secondly, environment and physical surroundings may have a decisive effect on the way a disabled person copes with his handicap. Awareness of the problems of di~abled persons should be an indispensable element in all political decisions in relation to the planning of social de- velopment, .including the physical environn:tent. We must le(.rn to take account of the problems of the handicapped in our planning in all spheres of life. Stairs and inaccessi- ble toilets, for instance, represent insurmountable obsta- cles to users of wheelchairs. Poor lighting and lack of 9. Thirdly, the Nordic countries have always stressed that disabled persons, like other citizens, should have the right and access to participation in decision-making. The organizations of the disabled should be heard and they should have an important say with regard to decisions that clearly affect the situation of the disabled. Disabled per- sons should have the right to representation on and par- ticipation in committees, commissions and boards where decisions affecting disabled persons are taken. 10. Fourthly, the Nordic countries emphasize the need for practical help, counselling and advice to families with disabled children. Possibilities for recreation and play in home-like surroundings are of great importance in this connection, and so are kindergartens and other pre- schools where disabled children are given the same oppor- tunities for stimulation and experience together with other children. Such integration will be of great help when they grow up and are faced with the problems of practical life. Indeed, the importance of full integration and participa- tion in education cannot be stressed too much. The Nor- dic countries have taken important initiatives in this re- spect. We have also tried to improve disabled persons' possibilities for employment. A disability pension and so- cial welfare can '1ever be a satisfactory substitute for full integration and a job. The Nordic countries have also tried to improve disabled persons' chances of obtaining better housing and living conditions. Disabled persons should have the right to their own apartments, with the necessary service facilities available. This necessitates practical and financial measures. 11. Fifthly, the Nordic countries attach great importance t.:> support and practical aid to disabled persons in devel- oping countries. We are all aware of the relatively high percentage of disabled persons in the developing world. We know, for example. that more than 80 per cent of the estimated 44 million blind in the world are to be found in developing countries. Medical and social care put a heavy strain on the already limited budgets of such countries. Aid to the disabled, therefore, represents an important contribution to society in general and may be considered a vital part of the official aid effort to developing coun- tries. In consequence, we put great emphasis on the pre- vention and treatment of diseases leading to disabilities and on education and training with a view to achieving independence and rehabilitation. 12. Let me stress that we, from a developed and highly industrialized part of the world, have no wish whatsoever to pose as do-gooders, trying to export our own solutions to developing countries. This is not a question of auto- matic exports of Nordic solutions or a Nordic way of life. AP our efforts have to be made in close co-operation with ~ the Governments concerned and with the full participation and consent of local authorities. All practical steps are to be taken in close co-operation with the developing coun- tries themselves, on their terms and according to their wishes. 13. Action to promote aid to the disabled in developing countries has been taken in all the Nordic countries dur- ing the International Year. Particularly encouraging h'as been the solidarity shown by organizations of the disabled 14. Definite projects have already been established or will be started during the next few months. Let me men- tion a few in southern Sudan: mobile eye clinics, a centre for the education of health personnel in the prevention and treatment of eye diseases, a school for the blind and a workshop for the production of splints, crutches and other technical aids. Nordic development aid agencies have lately taken an increased interest in projects for disabled persons in developing countries. 15. We are also pleased to note that within the United Nations agencies measures to improve the conditions of disabled persons have been integrated into the regular programmes. We wish in this connection to commend the activities of UNICEF, WHO and the ILQ. 16. These aims and measures indicate a definite positive trend. A development has started which must continue and expand. In this respect, the International Year of Dis- abled Persons represents both encouragement and a step forward. None of us expected miracles in 1981. The International Year has, however, resulted in initiatives and concrete action, Considerable work has been done in 1981 in planning practical measures for disabled persons. This, I feel sure, will lead to definite results and will haver a lasting effect in the years to come. 17. Let me conclude by stressing the need to secure proper follow-up and co-ordination of all the plans and programmes that have been made during 1981, both on a global and on a regional level. The United Nations has a unique role to play here. As we know, a number of tem- porary positions were established at the Centre for Social and Humanitarian Affairs at Vienna in connection with the International Year of Disabled Persons. The Nordic countries would like to eQlphasize that it is of the greatest importance that those positions be made permanent.

The proclamation of the International Year of Disabled Persons is first of all an expression of understanding of the gravity of the problem of disabled persons and of.the need to take effective measures to solve it. The fact that there are about 500 million disabled persons in the world today is ample proof of the seriousness of the problem. About 400 mil- lion of them live in the developing countries, and 350 million live practically without any professional services. 19. Poverty is one of the main causes of disability, For that reason almost 20 per cent of the populations of some developing countries suffer from various forms of dis- ability. 20. The solution of the problem of disabled persons has both a humanit~rian dimension and an economic dimen- sion. The humat• ..limension is "contained in the truth that disabled persons have the right to work and live, and that society has an obligation to enable them to work and live. in equality with other members of s9ciety, with full re- spect for their human rights and dignity. The economic dimension resides in enabling disabled persons to perform 21. When we bear in mind that poverty is one of the main causes of disability, the solution of this problem in developing countries is inseparably linked with the crea- tion of conditions for accelerated over-all socio-economic development. That means taking effective measures at the national level to mobilize all human and material re- sources in the implementation of the development plans of those countries, and carrying OJt appropriate social re- forms. This also includes creating possibilities for the par- ticipation of all working people in the decision-making process regarding the formulation and execution of these plans and the distribution of national income. 22. At the giobal level it is indispensable to create con- ditions that would alleviate the present grave international economic position of developing countries. This implies the elimination of the existing unjust system of interna- tional economic relations, the establishment of the new international economic order and the further democratiza- tion of international relations generally, with a parallel in- crease of material and financial assistance to the develop- ing countries. 23. The intensity of activities during the preparations for and in the course of the International Year of Disabled Persons has justified such action. The fact that national committees for the Year were established in 127 countries testifies to the significance given to the International Year of Disabled Persons and to issues concerning the protec- tion of disabled persons throughout the world. The ac- tivities I have mentioned and the results achieved are but the beginning of broad and long-term action aimed at a comprehensive solution of' the problem of disabled per- sons at the national and global level. The recommenda- tions made by the Advisory Committee for the Interna- tional Year of Disabled Persons at its third session [see A/36/471/Add.l] are of great significance in this regard, particularly the draft world programme of action, which is to be adopted at the thirty-seventh session of the Gen- eral Assembly. 24. For the reasons I have giv~n, in the implementation of the goals of the Year particular attention should be paid to follow-up activities in assisting developing countries, first of 3ll in the field of technical co-operation. In this connection Yugoslavia not only resolutely supports rec- ommendation 3 (Ill) adopted at the third session of the Advisory Committee, as well as the appropriate recom- mendations of the World Symposium of Experts on Tech- nical Co-operation among Developing Countries and Technical Assistance in Disability Prevention, held at Vienna from 12 to 23 October 1981, but has submitted a concrete offer [see A/36/711] regarding assisting in the implementation of that recommendation. In that offer it is proposed, inter alia, that a technical co-operation support service be established for the rehabilitation of disabled persons. The basic aim of that service would be to back up regional and inter-regional technical co-operation ac- tivities concerning the promotion and rehabilitation of dis- abled persons and equalization of their opportunities, in particular the exchange of technicai information in this field and the transfer of technology and know-how. Dur- ing the initial stage the service would have an interorgan- izational body or task force as its programme consultative lio~ disabled persons in Yugoslavia. Social care for these persons has always played a significant part in the policy of the Government of Yugoslavia. Social care for disabled persons is not only a humanitarian matter; it is a moral and constitutional obligation of the Yugoslav, socialist, self- managing society to create conditions for their rehabilita- tion and protection, which constitute an integral part of their human rights and rights as citizens and are at the same time an expression of the profoundly humanitarian basis of self-managing scdalism. Thus our approach thor- oughly embraces the social and political aspects of the status of the disabled person as an individual and as a citizen. The basic aim of this care on the part of society is the effective prevention of the occurrence of disability through widespread action and appropriate measures, and, when it does occur, rehabilitation of the disabled person for independent life and work through adequate pro- grammes, measures and procedures in accordance with his or her remaining abilities and preferences. 26. The social care of disabled persons demands a mod- em system of rehabilitation and protection. A number of programmes have been initiated and various measures un- dertaken for the permanent promotion of the status of dis- abled persons, which are included in development plans at all levels. Significant results have been achieved in the constant improvement of the status of disabled persons in society, and their conditions of life and work, and in car- rying out rehabilitation and protection. 27. Those mainly responsible for the policy and devel- opments in this field are, as for social policy in general, the organizations of associated labour, self-management communities of interest, local communities, socio-politi- cal communities, socio-political and other organizations and associations of citizens. In this respect a special role is played by the organizations of disabled persons them- selves. 28. In accordance with its policy and its approach to the social status of disabled persons, as early as in 1976 Yugoslavia supported the proclamation of the Interna- tional Year of Disabled Persons [resolution 311123]. That proclamation was assessed as a significant United Nations project aimed at urging all countries to contribute to the development and promotion of the prevention of disable- ment, rehabilitation, and the strengthening of the social status of disabled persons. The proclamation of the Year is for our country yet another reason and encouragement thoroughly to analyse the state of social care for the dis- abled and to biing the needs of disabled persons to the attention of society so as to facilitate the implementation of agreed policies and the initiation of new measures. 29. The Yugoslav National Committee was established at the very beginning of the Year. It consists of 34 mem- bers and a chairman, who are representatives of the Yugoslav Federal Parliament. competent federal admin- istration bodies and federal organizations. republics and autonomous provinces, self-management organizations and communities, socio-political and social organizations, including organizations of disabled persons. SimUar com- mittees have been established at the national and provin- cial levels. There are eight of them altogether. 30. Activities in the course of the year have been con- ducted along the following basic lines: prevention of dis- 31. In the course of the year the programme of the X-ugoslav National Committee has included programme activities concerned with, among other things: marking in an effective way dates of importance for the social status and protection of disabled persons; initiatives and action in legislative and other fields; consultations and scientific and other expert meetings; research projects, studies and analyses; information and publishing activities; sports ac- tivities for disabled persons; and participation in interna- tional gatherings in the country and abroad. 32. Apparently the activities carried out during the Year gave a strong impetus to the realization of the defined policy, regulations and agreed objectives, as well as to the initiation of measures and actions for the further promo- tion of the overall position of disabled persons in our so- ciety. In this connection, I should like to point ou.t that the formal ending of the Year is not for us the ending of these activities, which are to be carried on at an even faster tempo in the future. In some of our republics, deci- sions have already been adopted on the continuation of the work of their committees and other co-ordinating bodies after 1981. Of particular importance is the fact that the Year coincides with the beginning of Yugoslavia's new five-year development plan for 1981-1985, so that measures for the protection of disabled p~rsons have been included in development plans for this period. 33. In conclusion, I should like to stress that Yugoslavia will in the future continue to participate actively, as it has so far, in international action for the solution of the prob- lems of disabled persons and in fruitful co-operation with the secretariat of the Year. and other relevant United Na- tions bodies. In this connection we consider that the sec- retariat of the Year and the Centre for Social Development and Humanitarian Affairs have successfully carried out a number of activities and assignments and should continue to play this significant role, particularly in regard to as- sisting developing countries. Therefore, Yugoslavia sup- ports the recommendation of the third session of the Ad- visory Committee that the secretariat and the Centre should be provided with the necessary conditions for the successful performance of their duties in connection with the follow-up activities after 1981.

In speaking on the question of the International Year of Disabled Persons, my delegation, like those which have preceded it, wishes first of all to welcome and praise the generosity and the responsible awareness which attended the proclamation of the International Year for Disabled Persons. The fact that the United Nations is sponsoring this important world-wide action is eloquent evidence, in addition to the confirmed humanitarian call- ing of the Organization. of the very clear perception by the whole of the international community of the obliga- tions and responsibilities of society with respect to dis- . abled persons. 36. This must be viewed as an important achievement, since indifference is thus progressively but irreversibly giving way to acceptance by the national community of responsibility for the specific needs and rights of disabled persons. 37. The results will largely depend on the commitment and the follow-up that we see in the pursuit and the at- tainment of the objectives set out in General Assembly resolution 31/123. That is why my delegation wishes to encourage the extension beyond the year 1981 of the pro- grammes of action of national committees and of United Nations organs within the framework of the International Year of Disabled Persons. Moreover, the development of the draft world programme of action concerning disabled persons must be encouraged because it is intended to en- sure longer-term activities more fundamentally concerned with the protection, rehabilitation and integration of dis- abled persons and their participation on a basis of fully equal opportunity with normal people. 38. Of the 500 million disabled persons throughout the world, approximately 400 million live in developing countries, and Africa alont:. has approx.imately 45 million disabled persons. These data indicate quite clearly the gravity 'of the situation of disabled persons throughout the world. The great majority of disabled persons live in countries which, because of their limited technical and economic resources, are not in a position to provide them fully with the social and material advantages which could compensate for their handicap. 39. This very worrying truth means that. if we want the draft world programme of action now bt-lng contemplated to be effective, the efforts of internationuI institutions in this respect must be directed as a matter of priority to- wards those countries. The link quite appropriately estab- lished between the world strategy as defined by the Ad- visory Committee for the International Year of Disabled Persons and the implementation of the new international economic order becomes fully apparent. In view of the inequities which mark the present world economic sys- tem, which is entirely to the advantage of the developed countries, the situation of disabled persons in developing countries is frequently untenable. The tragedy is nev- ertheless tempered in numerous countries, such as my own, by the generous human values with which the com- munities of our countries are still deeply endowed. The sense of solidarity and the deep attachment to the spirit of jilstice and equality are such that the disabled person is never abandoned but is taken care of by the community of origin, which goes beyond mere participation and ef- fectively integrates that person, ensuring his dignity as a human being. These humanitarian traditions are precious qualities which ensure that disability never really becomes a tragedy, 40. In the Revolutionary People's Republic of Guinea".a methc:fical effort was undertaken very early in order not only to institutionalize those traditions but to develop 41. Advanced social legislation providing social security for the disabled and designed especially to prevent dis- ability, in particular at places of work; free education and the will of the masses in education; the establishment of specialized training centres for disabled persons, such as schools for the deaf-mute; the establishment of a modem national orthopaedic centre; centres for mother and child welfare and prenatal and postnatal care; major de- centralization of the health services-these and many other legal instruments and social provisions form a rich arsenal set up by the State in order to preserve the rights of disabled persons. 42. One of the striking successes of the Revolutionary People's Republic of Guinea with regard to support for disabled persons -is unquestionably the establishment of "solidarity cities", which are centres both for the re- habilitation of and for active social participation by the disabled. The "solidarity cities" have the same social and political privileges and the same vitality as any other or- dinary social community and are the subject of attentive care by the mo~t responsible elements of society. 43. The National Committee for the International Year of Disabled Persons, which is presided over by the Presi- dent of the People's Assembly and was set up in the first quarter of 1981, has thus worked to inform and mobilize public opinion and has carried out its programme of ac- tivities in an environment in which the situation of dis- abled persons was already sufficiently understood in its specific features and largely taken care of by national sol- idarity and specific achievements of all kinds. 44. To conclude, my delegt.Lion fully shares the view that in legal and institutional terms disabled children should be given special attention. When we realize that throughoilt the world today one child out of 10 is born with an infirmity or acquires it later and that there are 120 million disabled children in the Jeveloping countries, we realize that the future of the world itself is threatened; the prospects of progress in the developing areas are restricted and perhaps totally threatened. Therefore, it is more th&Jl ever vital to increase support for the specialized agencies of the United Nations and for national and regional efforts to organize technical co-operation'for the prevention of disability, rehabilitation and the provision of equal oppor- tunities for disabled persons. The project of the Organiza- tion of African Unity concerning the establishment of an African institute for rehabilitation deserves specific sup- port and encouragement, as do all similar initiatives that may be contemplated at the regional level in developing countries.

The International year of Dnsabled Persons has been observed in Liberia this year because we in Liberia believe that 500 million persons in the world disabled as a consequence of physical, mental or sensory impairment, are entitled to the same rights, privileges and opportunities as all other human beings. Not only are they allowed to become unnecessarily depen- dent and are incapable of performing activities that are economically and socially productive, but their depen- dence is also a drain upon the energies and resources of family members and society as a whole. Every human being born into this world is destined to suffer some dis- ability at some time in his life, either at birth, in youth, 47. In compliance with General Assembly resolution 31/123 designating 1981 as the International Year of Dis- abled Persons, the Government of Liberia appointed a na- tional committee for planning and implementing pro- grammes and activities in observance of the Year. Appropriate activities, including the establishment of a home and a training centre for disabled persons, were car- ried out. The highlight of our national programme for dis- abled persons was a keynote speech delivered by the head of State, Commander-in-Chief Samuel Kenyon Doe, in which he stated, among other things, that Liberia would' continue to provide fully the services needed by our unfortunate citizens living in the rural and urban areas. Greater efforts would be devoted to providing for the par- ticipation of disabled persons in adult education pro- grammes so as to enable them to take an active part in national development. 48. In the course of its operations the National Commit- tee for Disabled Persons prepared special materials de- signed to inform disabled persons, their families and the general public of the rights, benefits and services available to them and of steps to be taken to correct any failures and abuses. Such materials were also made available in forms that could be used and understood by those citizens with visual, hearing or other communication limitations. 49. The delegation of Liberia feels that the United Na- tions Trust Fund for the International Year of Disabled Persons established by the General Assembly should be used to respond to the urgent and rapidly multiplying re- quests for assistance from developing countries, which are experiencing increasing difficulties in mobilizing adequate resources to meet the pressing needs of their disabled cit- izens. The efforts of developing countries should, there- fore, be supported by the international community as re- quired by the International Develo'pment Strategy for the Third United Nations Development Decade. My delega- tion also appeals to all international organizations whose activities have a bearing on financial and technical co- operation to ensure that the highest priority is accorded to developing countries in assistance for the prevention of disability and to provide for rehabilitation, integration and equal opportunities for disabled persons. 50. In order to eliminate any physical and social bar- riers and to prevent insult to their human dignity. my Government is fully dedicated to initiating further pro- grammes designed to achieve global strategies for dis- abled persons. The welfare of disabled persons will al- ways be treated by my Government as an integral component of our national policy for socio-economic de- velopment. 52. As we have emphasized in other circumstances, the Romanian delegation is convinced that this f~-reaching and important international event of a humanitarian char- acter, which is taking place under the aegis of the United Nations, will contribute to the adoption of effective na- tional and international action to provide disabled persons with assistance, training and protection, thereby helping them to become fully integrated into society and to under- take suitable activities. 53. Ever since the preparatory stage, Romania has asso- ciated itself with the realistic and practical approach ac- cording to which, in the framework of the programme of the International Year, emphasis would be given primarily to national activities aimed at ensuring broad and effec- tive participation as far as possible by disabled persons in the economic, social and cultural life of society. 54. We believe the draft world programme of action in support of disabled persons meets the increasingly felt need to undertake effective action in this area throughout the world. In this respect we feel that special attention should be given to the granting of assistance to develop- ing countries in the preparation and implementation of na- tional programmes for disabled persons. The roie of the United Nations also should be strengthened in the promo- tion of international co-operation in this regard. 55. Action to prevent and combat temporary and perma- nent incapacity to work, caus(..~ !:'y either sickness or ac- cident, receives constant attention in Romania, as indeed do medical and educational measures, professional train- ing and social integration for children and young people with physical or mental handicaps. Our activities in this area have been steadily increasing especially since the adoption of a special law in 1970. Thus, practical action is constantly being taken in support of disabled persons, both adults and chHdren, and variQ1.I'S measures have been adopted to bring them back into society and make them feel fully part of it. 56. Within the framework of the national programme for recovery of capacity to work, which was prepared for this purpose, an important place is given to the problems of physically and mentally disabled persons. 57. Following up the recommendations of the General Assembly, Romania participated this year in several inter- national events devoted to disabled persons, including the European regional seminar on the International Year of Disabled Persons that took place from last 27 May to 2 June in Finland. National meetings and other events devoted to certain specific aspects of the rehabilitation of disabled persons have also been organized. 58. In the opinion of Romania this problem is of sueh great social and humanitarian scope that it will remain 59. Miss BROSNAKOVA (Czechoslovakia): The Czechoslovak Socialist Republic warmly welcomed the decision to proclaim the year 1981 the International Year of Disabled Persons. A problem faced by all countries, whether developed or developing, and which affects 500 million persons in the world, is indeed deserving of the attention of international organizations as well as indi- vidual Member States, for both humanitarian and eco- nomic reasons. As was stated in General Assembly reso- lution 34/154 of 17 December 1979, the principal objective of the International Year was to achieve the full participa,ion of disabled persons in the development of each society on the basis of the principle of equality with other· citizens. 60. For the preparation and organization of the Interna- tional Year of Disabled Persons in the Czechoslovak So- cialist Republic, the Czechoslovak Committee for the In- ternational Year of Disabled Persons was established. It consists of representatives of various specialized ministries and social organizations and is presided over by the Min- ister of Labour and Social Affairs of the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic. The Committee has been meeting reg- ularly to consider important tasks in the further develop- ment of the care of disabled persons and has submitted proposals for their solution to the highest organs of the Party and the State. The activities of the Czechoslovak Committee have been based on the premise that the care of disabled persons in Czechoslovakia is not a "one-shot" or occasional action. Disabled persons in Czechoslovakia are given free, long-term and systematic care by the whole of society. 61. In that respect, Czechoslovakia has reached a high level of performance. Anybody visiting Czechoslovakia can see with his own eyes the results that we have achieved in providing all-round assistance, care, voca- tional training and guidance to disabled persons. Having no problem of unemployment, Czechoslovakia provides every opportunity to disabled persons for self-realization by the performance of suitable work and it is making maximum efforts to meet the specific needs of these cit- izens. Currently the number of permanently disabled per- sons involved in the work .process amounts to almost 270,000, which is 3.7 per cent of the economically active population. An important role in that respect and in the social activities of disabled persons is played by the Czechoslovak Union of Disabled Persons. 62. The proclamation and organization of the Interna- tional Year of Disabled Persons provided an additional impetus to us to strive for still greater qualitative as well as quantitative improvement of all-round care for the dis- abled persons. Attention is being concentrated on the fol- lowing priorities: systematic research into the causes and consequences of disability and the application of the re- sults to the improvement of prevention of disability; con- tinued growth of the capacity of the rehabilitation facili- ties and in the numbers of qualified personnel; continued efforts to provide employment opportunities for partially disabled persons or persons whose ability to work" has been affected, as well as for severely and permanently 63. An important role in the psychological and physical rehabilitation of disabled persons can be played by the mass information media. The Czechoslovak Commission for the Internatiomd Year of Disabled Persons has in this respect enlisted the valuable assistance of the press, radio and television. A number of :ensitive and impressive pro- grammes prepared on the occasion of the International Year have been received with interest and appreciation by both disabled persons and the general public. Disabled persons were given to understand that the whole of soci- ety deeply appreciates their contribution to its advance- ment, that they are not a burden on society but equal participants in the creation of its spiritual and material values. 64. During the International Year, ? number of impor- tant international projects have been organized in Czecho- slovakia with the aim of creating the prerequisites for the further improvement of the care of the disabled and for th~ir integration into society. As far back as October last year, an international symposium was held in Czechoslo- vakia on physical training activities of disabled persons. In November 1980 the Federal Committee of the Union of Disabled Persons, in co-operation with the European Re- gional Committee of the World Council for the Welfare of the Blind organized a European conference in Prague on the use of residual vision. The conference was attended by 99 foreign and 32 Czechoslovak specialists. Apart from other projects, this year the second international competition for visually impaired composers was organ- ized in Czechoslovakia by the Federal Committee on the Union of Disabled Persons, as well as the third interna- tional interpretation competition for visually impaired mu- sicians, the first World Theatre Festival of the Hearing- Impaired, and the seventh Festival of Deaf Mime. 65. The draft resolution submitted this year on the Inter- national Year of Disabled Persons states that a large number of disabled persons are victims of war and other forms of violence. That text also notes that of the esti- mated 500 million disabled persons in the world, no less than 400 million live in the developing countries. It is hard even to imagine that any marked improvement in the position of these persons could be possible witnout a comprehensive amelioration of the economic situation of the developing countries. As is the case with other social ills such as starvation, disease and illiteracy, to achieve improvement it is important to strive for the safeguarding of lasting peace and the achievement of tangible disarma- ment measures which not only would remove a major cause of disability but would also create the prerequisites for improving the care of persons already disabled. 66. In conclusion, I should like to stress that the Czech- oslovak Socialist Republic recognizes and highly appreci-

Ever since the General Assembly declared in 1976, in resolution 311123, that 1981 would be the International Year of Disabled Persons, Cuba has supported this ini- tiative which arose from a proposal by the Libyan delega- tion, which we at once co-sponsored because we consid- ered it to be very important. 68. From then on, on the basis of subsequent recom- mendations adopted in the Organization in respect of ac- tivities which should be scheduled by countries as they celebrate this International Year, Cuba began preparations which led to the creation, in September 1980, of the Na- tional Committee for the International Year of Disabled Persons, under Agreement No. 609 of the Executive Committee of the Council of Ministers. A member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of Cuba and Minister of Public Health, Mr. Sergio del Valle, was ap- pointed chairman. The Committee consisted of represen- tatives of the various bodies concerned-the Ministry of Public Health, the Ministry of Education, the State Com- mittee for Labour and Social Security and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as non-governmental organiza- tions, such as the Federation of Women of Cuba, the Na- tional Association of the Blind, the Association of Per- sons with Physical and Motor Handicaps and the Association of the Deaf. 69. Activities under the national plan which was elabo- rated included the opening this year of six new institu- tions for disabled and handicapped persons, providing for 100 children on a permanent basis, and accommodating 50 outpatients. Notable among them is the first institute for deaf children. 70. Other projects carried out in the present year in- cluded the issue of commemorative stamps designed by disabled children at the "Frank Pais" orthopaedic hospi- tal; sports competitions for people with motor and sen- sory handicaps; literary competitions for handicapped people; the inauguration of four special education centres for slightly mentally handicapped people; exhibitions of paintings, sculpture and handicrafts by disabled persons; the holding of seminars on health education for -disabled persons; the dissemination of information by the mass media about contributions the public could make towards better treatment of the disabled; and the development of literacy programmes for blind persons, using the Braille system. 71 . In addition to the new institutions created in 1981, there are nine other centres for seriously mentally retarded people and those suffering the after-effects of poliomyeli- tis or cerebral palsy, with 985 beds for complete hospi- 73. The rights, duties and fundamental guarantees set out in our socialist Constitution provide the primary legal basis on which attention to the disabled part of the popu- lation is founded. The right to health and education and to receive these benefits free, like all other citizens, deter- mines a body of measures which have been adopted in this area. The right to work and to remuneration in ac- cordance with the quality and quantity of the work and the right to social security and social assistance benefits are also constitutionally established and made effective by various provisions. 74. It is vital that all Member States work not only to rehabilitate and in~egrate disabled persons in their respec- tive societies but to ensure the prevention of disabilities. For this purpose it is necessary that national public health plans contain preventive measures to help elilninate vari- ous illnesses which can be controlled, particularly during infancy. In Cuba, directly after the triumph of the revolu- tion in 1959, important successes were achieved in this respect in the eradication of poliomyelitis and its tragic after-effects, .thanks to various plans of preventive vac- cination carried out by the Ministry of Public Health, which also made it possible to control and eliminate a series of other illnesses. 75. The Cuban delegation considers that the praise- worthy efforts being made by a number of countries in connection with the International Year of Disabled Per- sons should not stop at the end of 1981 but should con- tinue in the coming years, in an attempt to continue to improve the status and well-being of disabled persons in the future. It was in that spirit that Cuba sponsored the draft resolution adopted by the Third Committee on 1 De- cember, which urges Member States to make every effort to consolidate and build further on the results of the Inter- national Year of Disabled Persons in order to assure the prevention of disability and the rehabilitation of the dis- abled and their full integration in society and, to this end, to consider maintaining, where appropriate, the national committees or similar bodies already established. 76. In Cuba the work being done by the National Com- mittee created for the Year has led our Government to decide that it is desirable for the Committee to continue to operate, to undertake activities in connection with the World Assembly on Agbg, which, on the recommenda- tion of the General Assembly will be held in 1982, and to continue to concern itself with complementary action to be taken after the conclusion of the International Year of, Disabled Persons. 77. It should not be forgotten that, of the 500 million persons who, it is estimated, suffer from disability in one form or another, 400 million live in developing countries and that the origin of their disability is basically the hun- ger, poverty, unhealthy conditions, lack of medical serv- ices, malnutrition and illnesses of which they are victims precisely as a result of economic underdevelopment.. It should not be forgotten that in addition many disabled

On behalf of my Government and the Dominican delegation and on my own behalf, it is my privilege to offer congratulations to the President of the thirty-sixth session of the General As- sembly on the efficient way in which he has conducted proceedings. 79. Since the Dominican Republic was one of the coun- tries which took an active part at the thirty-first session in the process leading to the proclamation of 1981 as the International Year of Disabled Persons, we wish in this important debate to express our great interest in the ques- tion: 80. We acted in the conviction that the idea would be supported unanimously by Member States, on the basis of the inalienable principle that all human beings have a right to participate fully, in conditions of equality, in the development of their people. 81. We are a small country which for I 8 years has been creating a positive attitude towards persons suffering from physical, mental or sensory disabilities. Undoubtedly this has been a difficult, and why not admit it, at times dis- couraging task. But the fruits of our efforts, as a ~esult of this heightened awareness, are encouraging. 82. The Dominican Republic, as a Member State of this prestigious world forum, has during 1981 been pursuing a programme of ac.tion to implement the recommendations contained in the resolutions and decisions adopted by the General Assembly in connectioQ with the International Year of Disabled Persons. A programme of action has been drawn up which takes into consideration the limita- tions imposed both nationally and regionally by require- ments having greater priority and by the means at our .disposal. 83. The Rehabilitation Centre in the Dominican Re- public has been recognized by international organizations as a model centre for complete rehabilitation, because, under one and the same administration, programmes are being carried out in perfect co-ordination and interaction for physical rehabilitation, special education, professional rehabilitation, and placement of the rehabilitated in the labour market and in protected workshops. 84. Another reason why it is considered to be a model institution is the complete harmony that exists in its oper- ations between the efforts of the State and the pioneering voluntary organization concerned with rehabilitation serv- ices in the Dominican Republic-the Dominican Associa- tion for Rehabilitation. The State provides the funds to help maintain and expand programmes throughout the country, and the Dominican AssGCiation for Rehabilitation manages and administers those funds and, at the same time, tries in other ways to obtain economic and technical assistance. 85. This is a clear example that where there is the will Governments and private institutions can and should work 86. The proclamation by the General Assembly of 1981 as the International Year of Disabled Persons was aimed at having the Member States of the United Nations pro- mote more effective policies, and thus meet the real needs of this sector of the population, which is increasing day by day due to a whole host of factors which need not be mentioned. 87. This year, which has been proclaimed as the Inter- national Year of Disabled Persons with the theme "Full participation and equality", must yield positive fruits through the plans of action established at the world, re- gional and national levels. Activities undertaken by the Dominican Republic during this Year are the following. At the national level, the Dominican Republic has created a national committee made up of representatives of non- governmental organization[ and governmental officials representing various ministries: In the future this Commit- tee will oversee the expansion of programmes for phys- ical, mental and sensory rehabilitation throughout the country, and will endeavour to obtain the necessary funds and technical assistance from the State and international organizations, in order that the rehabilitation programmes will be maintained at a high professional level. 88. We have c;:mstantly used all existing means of social communication in the country to promote the objectives of the International Year of Disabled Persons and to re- affirm their right to participate in the political, economic and social life of their country. In July of this year two postage stamps featuring the International Year of Dis- abled Persons were issued, sports competitions for people in wheelchairs have been held at the national and interna- tional level, and there has been a national seminar in which governmental and non-governmental sectors in- volved iri these matters participated. DUling the year courses have been conducted at all levels in order to train new· professionals and technicians in the field of full re- habilitation. In this respect, agreements have been reached with universities, schools and other centres of technical training, which made it possible to implement the pro- grammes planned at the national level. 89. With regard to the elimination of architectural bar- riers, I am pleased to say th' i.the Mimstry of Public Works and Communications has drawn up and approved regulations, which we hope will soon become law, regard- ing the requirements for future construction in the country to be free of such barriers. 90. At the regional level, the Dominican Republic hosted two important courses this year, designed to train staff involved in various aspects of the rehabilit~tion of the disabled. One was the first Latin American course on orthopaedic shoemaking, which was sponsored by the Government of the Netherlands through the International Co-operation Office of the Organization of American States and by the A. D. Berkemann Company of the Federal Republic of Germany. Thirty-one shoemakers from the Latin American countries were given specialized training. In addition, we held the first Latin American course for the training of instructors in workshops for the mentally retarded, which was sponsored by the Domin- ican Republic, the Dominican Rehal:~litation Association and the Latin American Group for Professional 91. The situation in the Dominican Republic is like that of many developing countries. With the resources avail- ::tble, we have undertaken what we can say are good pro- grammes aimed at rehabilitating persons with physical, mental and sensory disabilities, but we can and must do more to ensure that the disabled gain the place which, as human beings, they deserve in society, as the Charter 'of the United Nations proclaims. 92. We are aware that there are certain negative factors, such as the lack of economic resources and of organiza- tions asserting the rights of the disabled, the lack of clear criteria concerning the right of the handicapped to educa- tion, to work and to full participation in the life of the country, the lack of co-ordination between institutions car- rying out programmes of rehabilitation for persons with physical, mental and sensory disabilities and the lack of minimal facilities in educational centres for the integration of the disabled into regular teaching programmes, certain deficiencies in preventive medicine and in health care at the primary level, and a lack of precise statistics regard- ing the disabled population. For all these reasons full par- ticipation and equality, the theme of the International Year of Disabled Persons, is difficult for us to achieve, but not impossible because it is mainly a question of internal fac- tors, which can be overcome if we have the ne~essary political will. Proof of that political will is demonstrated by the inclusion in the population and housing census, ~o be held in the Dominican Republic on 12 and 13 De- cember 1981, of a specific heading which will give pre- cise data regarding the number of disabled persons and their particular .disabilities. 93. As a result of our experience in trying to integrate disabled persons in the process of national development, we would put forward a few concrete recommendations at this forum: first, that Governments endeavour to see to it that when educators are being formed they receive precise information that will equip them to accept disabled per- sons into regular education; secondly, that they should ar- range with the universities that rehabilitation be included as a subject in medical courses, with special emphasis on conceptual aspects, recognition and assessment of dis- abilities and the use of residual abilities; thirdly, that ac- tive participation of the entrepreneurial class in the pro- cess of social integration of disabled persons should be sought, not only in training programmes but also in job placement programmes. 94. Before concluding, I should like to express our con- cern regarding certain regrettable factors beyond our con- trol, at both the regional and international levels, which stand 10 the way of the goals and targets that we have set for ourselves during the International Year of Disabled Persons. I am referring to the continued delay in imple- menting the new international economic order, to the global negotiations, to wars, to terrorism, to the abuse of law and the fragile state of world peace at the present time. 95. We hope that that goodwill, solidarity and co-opera- tion among the States Members of the United Nations will lead to ways and means of eradicating as a matter of urgency these evils, which can only lead to an increase in the present number of disabled persons in the world. 97. More than 500 million human beings, equal in dig- nity to any other human beings, are suffering as a result of physical, psychological or sensory disabilities and, be- cause of these, from one form or another of social segre- gation, forgotten in varying degree by the public au- thorities. Yet for some time the United Nations has been proclaiming the need for universal recognition of human rights. In the same context, it has solemnly proclaimed the rights of physically or mentally disabled persons. It is necessary and a matter of urgency that continued stress be laid on the need to recognize those human rights and fur- ther relentless efforts be made to defend the dignity of every man, regardless of the colour of his skin, his re- ligious or political views, his social status or his mental capacity, physical impediments or sensory disabilities. It must also be stressed that the fight for human rights, in- asmuch as it affe_cts the handicapped, is also a fight against ignoranee; poverty, hunger, war and disease and against all those·problems which violate man's fundamen- tal dignity and cause oppression, human degradation and isolation from the mainstream of society. Individual dig- nity and social freedom are unrenounceable goals for peace. And war, as always, continues to be one of the primary causes of disability, invalidity and incapacity. It has so· often afflicted men and peoples that it seems that we are unable to free ourselves from its permanent threat. 98. No country can consider itself completely free if it is not able to ensure the human right of each person. re- gardless of his individual circumstances, to those services considered fundamental for everyone; just s.s no man can attain his full dignity until he can exercise and enjoy his human rights. It is possible to achieve this goal only through committed action on the part of the public au- thodties, making free societies truly democratic, where exclusion and segregation are minimized to the benefit of the participation and equality of all citizens, in accord- ance with the theme so aptly chosen by the United Na- tions. 104. The efforts of the National Committee during this Year merge with those of the Royal Foundation and of 99. This then is the spirit that my country has tried to Spanish society in past years to constitute a global strat- project in its plans and projects during this International egy to confront in general and at all levels the basic prob- Year of Disabled Persons, and looking towards the future, lems of disabled persons. This global strategy consists of we bear this in mind as we try to offer these persons a the following: at the constitutional level, express recogni- future that is more in keeping with their dignity and tion in article 49 of the Spanish Constitution of the rights rights. , of disabled persons to all the services of the community; at the legislative level, preparation by all political groups 100. In speaking about my country, I would not be in Parliament of a law specifying the rights of disabled complying with the most elementary principle of justice persons; at the administrative and political level, existence and truth if I did not mention the momentum provided to of an overall agency at the highest national level, presided this matter for years by Her Majesty the Queen of Spain, over by Her Majesty the Queen and under the Govern- who in addition to being Honorary President of the Royal ment which brings together the ministries most directly Foundation for Education and Assistance to the Dis- responsible for the question of disabled persons as well as abled-which brings together under its auspices the min- the national sector of the handicapped and experts; at the isters concerned, the representatives of associations of dis- practical level of implementation, preparation of national abled persons and national experts-took on the plans for action in the areas of prevention, special educa- 102. In my country this body is known as the Royal Foundation for Education and Assistance to the Disabled, to which I have just referred. It has been responsible for the development and implementation of the national plan for the prevention of subnormalcy and the promotion of scientific and technical research in directly related areas, such as the perinatal and aetiological aspects of cerebral disorders, activities to which I have devoted myself from their very beginning and which have made my being here today such a moving experience. That body has been functioning for a number of years and is lulfilling the wish expressed in various quarters during this In~erna­ tional Year that the bodies set up in connection with the International Year of Disabled Persons should continue to function permanently, looking towards the future. 103. The Royal Foundation, acting as national commit- tee for the Year, has adapted its functions to the objec- tives which the United Nations has fixed for the Year. They may be summarized as follows: first, to encourage hard thinking regarding the status of certain human groups which have been constantly forgotten, abandoned or neglected and to draw~attention to the unjust situation in which they find themselves; secondly, to take urgent action to alleviate or remove the injustices of which those persons are victims within their own communities; and thirdly, to contribute through international co-operation to the solution of these problems in our world. 105. As regards international co-operation, the Govern- ment of my country has taken two initiatives of great im- portance, one of a regional and the other of a world-wide nature. 106. At the regional level, the initiative for Spanish par- ticipation has been implemented basically within the framework of co-operation with our Spanish-American sister-countries. International meetings were held recently at Madrid between both experts and admin~strators and at the highest level between ministers from almost all the American countries, in the areas of education, health and social security. At those meetings, which produced highly important conclusions for the regions in question, stand- ards were set and positions were adopted by the Ibero- American countries, as their specific contribution to the World Conference. The Declaration of the Conference of Ibero-American Ministers of Health and Welfare of 28 September 1981. is one of the most useful instruments for the implementation of measures which could alleviate the present tragic situation in the short term. 107. The World Conference on Actions and Strategies on Education. Disability Prevention and Integration of Disabled Persons met at Torremolinos, at the invitation of the Spanish Government, within the framework of the In- ternational Year of Disabled Persons and in accordance with resolution 7/08 of the twenty-first session of the General Conference of UNESCO, held at Belgrade in 1980. .. 108. In preparing for the World Conference, UNESCO, which took the lead in this' important initiative, enjoyed the assistance of the United Nations through its secretariat for the International Year, WHO. FAO. the ILO and es- pecially UNICEF, as well as other intergovernmental re- gional organizations, in particular the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, in the prepara- tion of a basic working document to define the present situation in Member States and to guide discussion at the Conference. 109. The World Conference was attended by 463 ad- ministrators, representatives of ministerial departments. educators, university scholars, researchers, representatives of associations of disabled persons or their families, so- cial workers and therapists. and others, from 104 coun- tries, together with the representatives of 29 international organizations-13 governmental and 16 non-governmen- tal-27 international specialists and 95 national observ- ers. 110. The Conference deliberated in plenary meetings and in three committees and concluded on a permanent basis of consensus, which enabled it to attain its purposes in an exemplary manner. These were not only to provide a forum for the exchange of information, experience and views, but also to adopt a series of conclusions and sug- gestions for national and international organizations re- garding strategies and future activities, which were con- densed and set forth in a solemn declaration-which it was agreed to call the Sundberg Declaration-incorporat- ing principles, criteria, rules and standards for the preven- tion of disabilities and the education and integration of disabled persons. 112. As I have already said, the articles of the Declara- tion refer to the fundamental right of full access, in every case, to education, training, culture and information. The Declaration, together with the conclusions of the commit- tees, was the most important element of the World Con- ference, which is specifically mentioned in the draft reso- lution adopted by the Third Committee and which my i:ountry co-sponsored. 113. It is my earnest hope that the Declaration will be considered in depth by the General Assembly at this ses- sion or, failing that, at the next session, when it studies the item entitled "World Programme of Action concern- ing disabled persons", as recommended by the Third Committee in its report [A/36/764], so ably introduced yesterday at the 86th meeting by the Committee's Rappor- teur, Mr. Fujii of Japan. 114. Spain will continue along this path in the convic- tion that it is a matter of urgency that all disabled persons should enjoy the fullest possible exercise of human rights. In keeping with the mandate of the World Conference, Spain urges all countries to bear in mind the Sundberg Declaration and to carry out, giving them all the neces- sary priority, measures that will make possible better pre- vention, education, rehabilitation, integration and care for disabled persons, with special emphasis on preventive ac- tion, since we believe that the first right of every disabled person is the right not to be disabled.

At the outset may I address to all the disabled persons of the wor~d and the delegates representing them here today the greedngs and fraternal feelings of the peo- ple of France. 116. We are now approaching the end of the Interna- tional Year of Disabled Persons. But for France and for its new Government. elected in the general elections held at mid-yeal~ this Year is the year of a new departure in policy towards th~ disabled. That is the will that I have come here solemnly to affirm. 117. Chance, accidents and inequalities are the causes of disabilities. Thus disabled persons par excellence call for the exercise of solidarity on the part of the commu- nity. To give it new impetus, to amplify it in spite of the economic crisis is the challenge facing France and also the international community. 118. But what is important is not so much good inten- tions as the right way of thinking and the development of concrete action. What is more, we must understand each other properly: today it is recognized that a person with a physical or mental disability is disabled only to the extent that society does not make allowances for the disability. Of course that is not always possible, but if the problem 119. The International Year will not have been usdess if it .makes us perceive that risk and if: it makes us under- stand that the way in which the disabled are dealt with is the touchstone and meas"re of a society's quality. In say- ing this I do not think I am exaggerating the scope of this subject, because when you tackle the question of dis- ability you find yourself at the very heart of a multiplicity of policies that concern all a country's citizens, and in which general social aspects and the specific aspects of disability are indissolubly linked. 120. The prevention and treatment of disabilities in- volves examination of all the policies that raise so many problems of social organization-for instance, health pol- icy. It is through health education-as many previous speakers have stressed-and the care of mothers and their children that it is possible to prevent disabilities and France has made important efforts ~.n this field, and it could increasingly participate in programmes of interna- tional co-operation. France has a well-established organ- ization, birth-control policy, tested methods of care during pregnancy and perinatal care that make it possible to pre- vent many disabilities. 121. As regards family and educational policies, dis- abilities are often aggravated or even triggered off in a child through lack of a balanced family and school life. Yet such balance concerns everybody, and if disabled children are to be properly welcomed both in their fami- lies and at school it is for the families and the schools to be open-minded and to learn the rich meaning of dif- ference, which is not far from learning about fraternity or the rejection of racism. Thus it is necessary to follow all the paths which are opening up in this direction. 122. As regards labour policies, industrial accidents and diseases cause numerous disabilities in all countries. But is it not a general goal to prevent them? That goes well beyond the problem of disability as such. The French Government has begun to reflect anew in this regard with a view to better prevention and better treatment of work- related ailments, which might enable it to reach its objec- tives. Is this not illso a subject for international co-opera- tion? 123. There are other examples which have already been repeated on numerous occasions. In the field of transport, road accidents injure hundreds of thousands in France every year, many of whom remain disabled. Then, in re- gard to urban planning, accessibility to towns, public buildings, schools, housing, pavements and so ma~y other things in daily life is not only a requirement and a right of the disabled, but also a requirement and a right of all persons whose mobility is reduced: the convalescent, the aged, preg,~ant women and any person carrying a heavy burden. The problem is technically resolved today. In France there are numerous texts; the matter has been properly studied. But it is in people's heads that things happen, and who can say today that all the technicians who design and build throughout the world really· think and will continue to think ::lhout the problems of the dis- 124. Many other examples COUld be found, if only in the context of social security systems. But, since we are thinking in tenns of a 10-year period and a world-wide programme for the disabled, I think that the content of this should be found, and I think this is possible, in the subjects to which I have just referred. In a word, it is clear that in deciding on an international year for disabled persons the General Assembly focused its attention on the crossroads of economic and social policy. 125. It was done in full knowledge of the facts, that General Assembly resolution 3447 (XXX) of 9 December 1975 had already affirmed that ··disabled persons have the same civil and political rights as other human beings". It is in reference to this resolution that the French Govern- ment, for its part, affinns the citizenship of the disabled, the full citizenship, so that the disabled may have the same fundamental rights and the same duties as all other citizens, no more and no less. I shall not enumerate the numerous achievements in France with regard to this goal. What we must do is make progress towards a politi- ~al goal and in this respect I suggest three key words: programming, responsibility, integration. 126. It is through well-programmed action over a period of time and not through decisions of the moment that we shall make progress. In this field, as in so many others, we need a good social planning tool. The Minister for National Solidarity in France)s drawing up a balance sheet of the work done so far. In order to prepare this he has called on all the organizations which are operating in the field of the disabled, and, in contributing to the bal- ance sheet, all these organizations illustrate the impor- tance which should b€ attached to the participation and leadership of the disabled themselves. This balance sheet could be the basis of the programme of action that will be established. 127. The citizenship of the disabled presupposes their responsibility and the rejection or progressive disap- pearance of assistance measures, where they exist. For a country like France, which has very complex social legis- lation, a new reading of the texts is called for, and this might be profitable also for other countries which are try- ing to establish such legislation, so that the same errors are not repeated. This new reading is a difficult task which raises difficult questions. For instance, how do we pass from a legal system based on the source of the hand- icap to a new system based on the potential of the person and upon his or her needs? Or again, how do we restore the free use of his resources to a disabled person who has only partial autonomy and who because of this is in re- ceipt of social services for which certain allocations are precisely earmarked? In brief, how do you organize col- lectively what is also in fact an individual responsibility'? The question is all the more difficult since, in certain cases, France has reached the stage of over-protection of individual disabled persons. and this will have to be re- 128. Finally, integration, to the extent possible, and not segregation, is the third element. We should no longer specialize or categorize institutions; neither a~ school- where it is desirable for the children to mix, in ordinary schools, in the same classes if possible-nor in outside life-where we have to avoid the idea of special places, special shelters, removed from ordinary areas, and cl\lsed- off boarding institutions. On the contrary, small living units such as therapeutic apartments, home-care institu- tions and everything which promotes meetings and ex- chMges should be -enccdraged. 129. Leisure, sport and culture must be open to the dis- abled, not apart or separately but, on the contrary, paying attentiorl to the differences, bringing them nearer, not con- cealing them. I would not express surprise at any cultural or sporting performance by a handicapped person. On the contrary, we must say that this is ordinary, it is normai; it must bec:ome commonplac:e. The disabled must be able ta do thingr other than those which are directly related to their handicap. When will television finally npen its cam- eras to the handicapped, not only in ~pecial broadcasts but in ordinary b~~adcasts, with sub-titles for the de-3f, or simply think ~; appealing to the disabled as they do to others in ordinary broadcasts which deal with ordinary subjects? Is it utophm to put forward such ideas today? ... 130. Last!y, there must be integration at work because it is necessary to affirm the right of the disabled to employ- ment. Yet, the percentage of unemployed disabled persons is far hig~er than that of the ordinary unemployed in France, as elsewhere. The economic crisis is, of course, partly responsible for this. But the solidarity which we must learn anew today also affects public and private en- terprises. The employment of the disabled is part of the social obligations of the enterprise just as integration of the disabled worker among ordinary workers is ,an obliga- tion of solidarity. To be sure, protected work structures are inevitable; but should they not be.limited today either to when they are really necessary-and this is nearly al- ways more rarely than one would believe-or to a limited period of rehabilitation before complete reintegration? 131. Action for the benefit of the disabled makes us ap- preciate the terrible gap that exists between words and deeds. Too many gatherings, too much analysis and too much research have never led to specific projects. We do not wish to be among those who talk but do not act. So, may this session of the General Assembly help to make the international community move in the right direction; not that of answering the appeal of the disabled who say: "00 not let us down, help us", but, rather, that of true citizenship for the disabled or, quite simply, that of equal- ity.

In accordance with the decision of the General Assembly adopted at its 4th meeting on 18 September 1981, I now call on the representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. 134. Let me begin by saying how much we welcomed the decision of the Assembly to launch an International Year which would incr~ase awareness in the international community of the plight of millions of disabled persons in the world and of the contribution they can make as full members of society. The Year will also draw attention to the need to develop strategies and policies on disability prevention and rehabilitation. 135. The prevention of disability is not a new feature in the programme of work cf FAO. Indeed, the fight against hunger and malnutrition is also a fight against such dis- abilities as blindness, mental illness, restriction of mobil- ity and effective participation in working life. Disability prevention is a continuing concern in FAO activities and finds its place in programmes such as food policy and nutrition and in plant protection, through the prevention of the side effects of toxic chemicals and the safe use of pesticides. 136. The control of river blindp.~ss is another major area relevant to disability prevention. This programme is con- ducted in conjunction with WHO, UNDP and tht World Bank, and the fIrst results are convincing: the transmis- sion of the disease has been interrupted in 80 per cent of the programme area. For fishery resources, relevant ac- tivities are mainly COfl\...:rned with the control of pollution levels in commercial species. In the forestry indUStry, dis- ability prevention is aimed at the prevention of accidents in forestry work and the study of the nutritional needs of forestry workers. There are other relevant activities which I could mention; for instance, the development of safety factors in agricultural mechanization, or the introduction of the concept of prevention in rural extension pro- grammes. 137. The activities which I have just mentioned are of a continuing nature. The International Year of Disabled Per- sons has, however, provided an opportunity for specific types of action. 138. In May this year the FAO money and medals pro- gramme issued a medal designed by a disabled artist on the theme of the Year, "Full participation and equality". The net proceeds from the sale of those medals will serve to support development projects. A paper on nutritional deficiencies and disablement was prepared for the World Conference on Actions and Strategies on Education, Dis- ability Prevention and Integration of Disabled Persons, which took place in Spain in November 1981. Special measures have been taken to improve the accessibility of }<"AO premises to disabled staff members and visitors. fur- thermore, personnel policy recommendations are being made to take into account the situation of disabled staff members. 139. The value of the Year, as we see it in FAO, is not so much that it has generated specific activities with the risk that these might be confIned to 198 I, but rather that it has aroused greater concern about disability-prevention ~ '" ~~habilitation. In the case of FAO, the Year has pro- ':: .:d an opportunity to take the measure of our contribu- tion to disability-prevention and has led us to ask our- selves how that contribution could be enhanced in the

(interpretation from Russian): In accordance with the same decision of the General As- sembly to which I referred earlier, I now call on the rep- resentative of the World Health Organization.

As Regional Director for the Americas of WHO, it is my great privilege to appear be- fore the General Assembly at its thirty-sixth session to transmit on behalf of Dr. Mahler, our Director-General, his message regarding the contribution of WHO to the International Year of Disabled Persons. 142. As you are aware, in 1976 the General Assembly, in resolution 31/123, proclaimed 1981 the International Year of Disabled Persons with the theme "Full participa- tion". Subsequently, in 1979, the General Assembly, in resolution 34/154, expanded this to "Full participation and equality". 143. The central objective of the International Year of Disabled Persons is to promote increased awareness of , ~ problems of disability, to present it as a challenge to tne international community and, through co-ordinated efforts, to carry out practical efforts aimed at .,~ anging the situatiolIi regarding a:~ disabled persons, especially those who, are most seriously affected and are without access to services in thesural areas of developing coun- tries. 144. The gen~ral strategy of WHO fully reflects the ob- jec!ives of the central theme of the International Year of Disabled Pell"Sons, namely, "Full participation and equal- ity". WliO and all its member States have pledged to achieve "",!r goal of "Health for all by the year 2000" as a result 0: devoting primary attention to health. The ob- jective is to achieve for all citizens of the world a degree of health that makes it possible for them to lead a socially and economically productive life. 145. Primary health care is the k,ey to achi~ving that objective as an integral part of the process of develop- ment in a spirit of social justice. It is important that es- sential health care be available to all persons, with their full participation, and include promotion, prevention, cure and rehabilitation services. Therefore, the prevention of disability and rehabilitation const;fute an integral part of the strategy and the global approach of WHO. 146. The International Year of Disabled Persons has given us an opportunity to appreciate the magnitude of the problems of disability. The most accurate estimates indicate that approximately 10 per cent of the world's population is made up of disabled persons and that 80 ~r cent of those are persons living in developing countrie~. If immediate action is not taken to prevent disabilities and if new measures are not adopted, a dramatic increase in the number of disabled persons will take place in the coming years. 147. The disabilities which exist in developing countries are caused primarily by malnutrition, communicable dis- eases, deficiencies in peripheral areas and accident~, in- cluding those caused by acts of violence. In developed countries, chronic somatic illnesses, mental proble!Ds, 149. However, it is obvious that it will be many years before a reasonable degree of success can be achieved. In tlie meantime it is necessary, and it will continue to be necessary in the future, to promote rehabilitation. 150. At present rehabilitation services are quite inade- quate, especially in developing countries. There are re- habilitation services and institutions which, although they do excellent work, reach only a minimal percentage of disabled persons-perhaps not more than 5 per cent-in the developing countries. The expansion of these services in the immediate future, so as to make them available to all disabled persons, is"beyond tht' capacity of most coun- tries, because of limited financial, technical and human resources. 151. Consequently, it has been necessary to adopt a new approach, and WHO 'has accepted this challenge. New policies have been established and a new pro- gramme has been adopted more clearly focused on com- munity action within the context of primary health care. The fundamental principles of this programme are: using the primary health care approach, to extend prevention and rehabilitation services to all the population suffering from disabilities, instead of promoting the services of highly sophisticated institutions; to encourage the use of methods and techniques which are practical, acceptable, reasonable in cost and suited to local conditions; to en- courage community participation and mobilize resources for the special purpose of ensuring that disabled persons and their families will take part in the rehabilitation pro- cess. 152. In order to promote programmes with community participation, WHO, together with its member States and in consultation with other United Nations agencies, has produced a series of manuals entitled "Integration of the 153. Now I should like to bring representatives up to date regarding the specific contribution WHO has made to the International Year of Disabled Persons. A special committee for the International Year of Disabled Persons was established at WHO headquarters to promote ac- tivities within WHO and to co-ordinate them with those of other bodies within the United Nations system and non-governmental agencies. 154. WHO has been providing full support and all pos- sible resources to the secretariat of the International Year at Vienna, including the services of consultants, technical· information and advice on specific technical matters. 155. WHO convened and served as host for an inter- agency meeting on the International Year, which was held at Geneva on 11 and 12 August 1980. and partici- pated actively in meetings on the subject organized by other bodies. such as the Interagency Meeting on the In- ternational Year of Disabled Persons. held in Paris on 24 and 25 February 1981 and the World Symposium of Ex- perts held at Vienna in October this year. It also partici- pated actively in a series of international meetings, semi- nars and conferences. WHO was host to a meeting of non-governmental organizations held in August 1980 with the.: aim of defining the role these organizations would play in support of activities relating to the International Year at the global and regional levels. and especially at the national level. . 156. Our regional offices co-operated actively with the regional economic commissions of the United Nations and vigorously promoted regional and national activities relating to the International Year. A number of countries benefited from the services of consultants, who co-oper- ated in the formulation of national programmes for dis- abled persons and their rehabilitation and also in plans of action and follow-up programmes. As a result of this. programmes and plans of action have. already been pre- pared. 157. WHO's activities in connection with the Interna- tional Year were discussed at the 67th meeting of the Executive Board. in January this year. and at the thirty- fourth World Health Assembly. last May. The Assembly adopted resolution WHA 34.30 emphasizing that disabled persons must benefit from prevention. treatment and re- habilitation activities which will make it possible for them to share effectively in the normal tasks of society. -and that efforts relating to permanent programmes of the In- ternational Year would be increased as an integral part of activities to achieve the goal of "health for all by the year 2000". Furthermore. the Assembly called on the Di- rector-General of WHO to help member States to estab- lish programmes of prevention of disabilities and re- habilitation within the context of primary health care. especially in the developing countries. 158. A WHO committee of experts on disability preven- tion and rehabilitation met in February 1981 at Geneva. 159. The last meeting of the UNICEF/WHO Joint Com- mittee on Health Policy, which was held at WHO head- quarters in February this year, prepared a scheme for a joint programme relating to illnesses causing infantile dis- ability. A certain namber of programmes being carried out in countries, such as the testing of the WHO manual regarding the integration of disabled persons into the community and the introduction of rehabilitation serv: ices, have in fact been supported jointly by WHO and UNICEF: 160. In 1981 a number of countries in all the regions, among them some of the Caribbean countries, Mexico, Botswana, Nigeria, India, the Philippines and Sri Lanka, have already begun to develop the testing. adaptation- including translation into the local language-and evalua- tion of approaches based on community participation in the prevention of disability and in rehabilitation, as sug- gested in the manual I have just mentioned. It should be pointed out that the programmes have been given consid- erable extrabudgetary resources. In addition, intercountry training workshops were organized in the Caribbean in May and June 1981 and in Botswana in August and Sep- tember of this year. in order to support those pro- grammes. 161 . To give more emphasis to permanent programmes for the prevention of disabilities and rehabilitation. we have co-operated with a number of member countries. such as Nigeria. Botswana. India and Pakistan, in the de- velopment of their plans for training. research and the provision of services. Research has been promoted, in- cluding hom~ surveys. In 1981 studies of disabilities car- ried out in India and Indonesia were given additional sup- port by WHO, to enable them to be concluded before the end of this year. We hope that the results of these stud- ies. including those on the Sahel. Rwanda and Jordan, will be published during 1982. 162. The WHO manual on the international classifica- tion of impairments. disabilities and handicaps has been broadly disseminated for study and evaluation. Transla- tions into other languages. including French and German. are at an advanced stage. 163. Finally. I should like to mention something of pri- mary importance. which is public information. In this connection. the Director-General of WHO and the Execu- tive Director of UNICEF published a joint declaration on the International Year of Disal:>led Persons during the first week of January this year. The January edition of the review World Health is devoted entirely to the Interna- tional Year. and in subsequent editions there will be arti- cles on the specific problems of the disabled. In addition. special progmmmes for broadcasting in English and French have been prepared. as have exhibits of pho- togmphs. pamphlets and posters. 164. In conclusion. I should like to share with you my firm conviction that. as a result of the combined efforts of the specialized agencies and other United Nations