The Continental Plan of Action of the African Decade is designed at implementing priority activities on disability during the African Decade of Persons with Disabilities (1999-2009). The aim of the African Decade Continental Action Plan is to provide guidance to Governments, African Rehabilitation Institute (ARI), The Secretariat of the African Decade, Disabled Persons Organizations and civil society in furthering the goals of full participation, equality and empowerment of people with disabilities in Africa.

The Plan of Action is implemented by lobbying the respective governments in consultation with Disabled People's Organizations, to develop and reformulate national disability policies, programs, legislation and disability Strategies. The vision of the Plan is the integration of disability into fiscal planning processes, in order for persons with disabilities to exercise their right, to a full participatory role in society. Governments and State organs will take full responsibility for the successful implementation of the Decade Plan of Action.

The Action Plan was formally endorsed by the seventy-sixth ordinary session of the OAU Council of Ministers, held at Durban (28 June - 6 July 2002) by Decision CM/DEC.676 (LXXVI) and at its first ordinary session, the Executive Council of the African Union, meeting at Durban (9-10 July 2002), similarly endorsed the "Plan of Action for the African Decade of People with Disabilities" in its regulation 7 "African Decade of Disabled Persons"

Throughout the Plan, the terms people with disabilities, disabled persons and disabled people are used interchangeably, reflecting accepted usage in different countries. Similarly, the OAU and AU are used interchangeably in view of the transition of the OAU to the AU.

The Plan above all seeks to develop a greater awareness and a positive stance to disability in all sectors of society, by unwaveringly evocating and improving the current economic and social position of persons with disabilities.

To view the full text of the Continental Plan of Action in your language preference download it from the bottom of this page