The 58th World Health Assembly resolution on Disability, including prevention, management and ehabilitation requests the World Health Organisation (WHO) Director - General to provide support to Member States in strengthening implementation of the United Nations Standard Rules on the Equalization of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities. The United Nations Standard Rules were issued following the 1982 World Programme of Action Concerning Disabled Persons, a global strategy to enhance disability prevention, rehabilitation and equalization of opportunities for people with disabilities. The World Programme of Action emphasized the need to approach disability from a human rights perspective. The twenty-two rules of the United Nations Standard Rules consist of four chapters - preconditions for equal participation, target areas for equal participation, implementation measures, and the monitoring mechanism - and cover all aspects of the social and economic lives of people with disabilities.
WHO supports in particular the implementation of the following United Nations Standard Rules and promotes their use for the development of national policies related to disability and rehabilitation:
States should take action to raise awareness in society about people with disabilities, their rights, their needs, their potential and their contribution.
States should ensure the provision of effective medical care to people with disabilities.
States should ensure the provision of rehabilitation services to people with disabilities in order for them to reach and sustain their optimum level of independence and functioning.
States should ensure the development and supply of support services, including assistive devices and technologies, to assist people with disabilities to increase their level of independence in their daily living and to exercise their rights.
States are responsible for ensuring the adequate training of personnel, at all levels, involved in the planning and provision of programmes and services concerning people with disabilities.
In May 1999 in collaboration with the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Disability, WHO conducted a global survey to monitor implementation of the United Nations Standard Rules on the Equalization of opportunities for Persons with disabilities.
Benola A Cerebral Palsy Initiative.
