Adopted by the 23rd Session of the Labour and Social Affairs Commission In Algiers, Algeria, April 2000

And Endorsed by

The 72nd Session of the OAU Council of Ministers and 36th Assembly of Heads of State and Government respectively, in Lome, Togo, July 2000
Decision CM/De.535 (LXXII) Rev. 1

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MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
OF THE AFRICAN REHABILITATION INSTITUTE (ARI)
B.Z. GUMEDE (MSW)

The Cooperation between the African Rehabilitation Institute (ARI) and the Disabled People’s Organization is at a higher level and it goes without saying that this cooperation will further lead to many opportunities for persons with disabilities in Africa in the field of health education, training and employment opportunities.

The Organization of African Unity by approving the recommendation of the DPOs through ARI to proclaim the period 1999-2009 the African Decade of the Disabled Persons, has rightfully taken cognizance of the plight and the rights of persons with disabilities, which have always been marginalized.

The launching of the African Decade of the Disabled Persons reinforces the commitment of the African Rehabilitation Institute (ARI) to work together in the spirit of Pan Africanize with all the stakeholders and at the same time open equal opportunities for Disabled People in Africa to positively contribute to the development of the African continent, alongside with the “able bodied persons.”

The Technical Advisory Committee meetings which discusses regularly issues related to the betterment of the Disabled Persons in Africa through such meetings, the development priority of programmers of activities of the ARI will work tirelessly with the Pan African Federation of the Disabled Persons in order to achieve successful results targeted during the decade (1999-2009) and beyond.

The implementation of the programme of activities designed by the DPOs in conjunction with the ARI and assistance from all other actors such as the African Development Bank, the ILO and other UN specialized agencies to name but a few will contribute towards the political, social, economic and cultural integration of the people of Africa into the mainstream of their own society.

May I, seize this opportunity to urge African Governments and development partners to assist as much as they can in the promotion of the decade and contribute the necessary resources towards the implementation of the programme of the African Decade of the Disabled Persons, within the context of the existing realities particular to each African Country.

Such concerted action will transform the intention of the disabled persons of Africa into reality and indeed will foster peace, development and the much-needed integration of the persons with disabilities into the mainstream of the society.

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Contents

• BACKGROUND ON THE AFRICAN DECADE OF DISABLED PERSONS 1999 - 2009

• PROCLAMATION ON THE FULL PARTICIPATION EQUALITY AND EMPOWERMENT OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES IN THE AFRICAN CONTINENT.


Background

The OAU Labour and Social Affairs Commission at its 22nd Ordinary session held in Windhoek, Namibia in April 1999 recommended that the period 1999 – 2009 be proclaimed as the African Decade of Disabled Persons. The recommendation which is contained in the Secretary – General report CM/2112 (LXX) was adopted by the 23rd Session of the Labour and Social Affairs Commission in Algiers, Algeria, April 2000, and Endorsed by the 72nd Session of the OAU Council of Ministers and 36th Assembly of Heads of State and Government respectively, in Lome, Togo in July 2000. Decision CM/Dec. 535(LXXII) Rev.1

The adoption of the African Decade of Disabled Persons means that the Decade Programme of activities needs to be implemented by:

• Government Line Ministries and Departments;Disabled
• Peoples Organizations;
  
• Non-Governmental Organizations;
  
• International organizations, including United Nations Agencies; and OAU Specialized Agencies;
  
• Individuals committed to the full participation equality and empowerment of people with disabilities in the African continent.

African Decade of Disabled Persons, 1999 – 2009
Organisation of African Unity

RECALLING all General Assembly and Economic and Social Council resolutions on disability matters, including General Assembly resolution 37/52 of December 3, 1982 by which the Assembly adopted the World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons, and resolution 37/53 of 3 December 1982, on the implementation of the World Programme of Action, in which, inter alia, it proclaimed the period 1983-1992 the United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons;

RECALLING ALSO Commission resolution 207 (XXXVI) of 29 March 1980, concerning effective implementation and follow-up of the objectives of the International Year of the Disabled Persons, “Full participation and equality”;

MINDFUL that the risk of disability increases with age and that, with the expected rapid ageing of the societies in Africa, the number of disabled persons will increase substantially;

RECOGNIZING that while the United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons has increased awareness of disability issues and has facilitated considerable progress in the prevention of disability and the rehabilitation of disabled persons in Africa, progress towards improving the situation of disabled persons has been uneven, particularly in the developing and least developed countries;

NOTING that the Labour and Social Affairs Commission has recommended that there is need for a second Decade of disabled persons for the African continent which will focus on the grey areas unaddressed during the UN Decade;

1. Proclaims the African Decade of Disabled Persons, 1999 – 2009 with a view to giving fresh impetus to the implementation of the World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons in Africa beyond 1992 and strengthening regional cooperation to resolve issues affecting the achievement of the goals of the World Programme of Action, especially those concerning the full participation and equality of persons with disabilities, as well as those contained in the UN Standard Rules on Equalization of Opportunities for people with disabilities which relates to Education, training and employment.
   
2. Urges all member states to review the situation of disabled persons with a view to developing measures that enhance the equality and full participation of disabled persons as well as the empowerment of the disabled people, including the following:-
   
   • Formulation and implementation of national policies and programmes to promote the participation of persons with disabilities in economic and social development;
     
     
   • Establishing and strengthening of national coordinating committees on disability matters, with emphasis on, inter alia, the adequate and effective representation of disabled persons and their organizations, and their roles therein;
     
     
   • Provision of assistance, in collaboration with international development agencies and non-governmental organizations, in enhancing community-based support services for disabled persons and the extension services to their families;
     
     
   • Promotion of special efforts to foster positive attitudes towards children and adults with disabilities, and the undertaking of measures to improve their access to rehabilitation, education, training and employment, cultural and sports activities and the physical environment.
   
   
   
3. Urges all concerned specialized agencies and bodies of the United Nations system to undertake an examination of their ongoing programmes and projects in the African continent with a view to integrating disability concerns into their work programmes systematically and supporting national implementation of the OAU declaration.
   
   
4. Calls upon non-governmental organizations in the field of social development to utilize their experience and expertise in strengthening the capabilities and activities of organizations of disabled persons;
   
5. Urges organizations of disabled persons to cooperate with government agencies in strengthening means by which citizens with disabilities may realize their full potential, and to strengthen linkages among disabled persons in developed and developing countries to enhance their self-help capacity;
   
   
6. Requests the OAU Member States to provide resources in the following:-
   
   • Development and pursuing national, regional and continental programmes of action during the Decade;
     
     
   • Formulation and implementing technical guidelines and legislation to promote access by disabled persons to buildings, public facilities, transport and communications systems, information, education training, and technical aids as well as empowerment of persons with disabilities.
   
   
   
7. Further requests the Secretary General to report to the Summit of Heads of State and Government biennially until the end of the Decade on the progress made in the implementation of the Decade Programme of Activities and to submit recommendations to the Summit as required, on action to maintain the momentum of the Decade.
   
   
8. Urges Governments to consult with disabled people at all times and stages of development in matters that are of concern to them, and also as a measure to use their expertise and experience in providing solutions to their problems.

Proclamation on the Full Participation, Equality and Empowerment of People with Disabilities in Africa

1. We the Heads of state and Government of the Organization of African Unity recognize that:-
   
   
   • Every day in Africa people are being disabled due to malnutrition and disease, environmental hazards, natural disasters, traffic and industrial accidents, civil conflict and war.
     
     
   • As a concomitant of improvements in child survival, the numbers of children surviving with disabilities are increasing.
     
     
   • As more people survive to older age, the numbers of elderly people with disabilities are rising.
     
     
   • The living conditions of large numbers of people with disabilities, especially those in rural areas, need to be further improved.
   
   
   
2. We note that in African societies, minimum care and service are, to a large extent, provided for people with disabilities in the traditional family and community context. However, much more need to be done to enable persons with disabilities to develop their full potential so that they may live as agents of their own destiny in the rapidly changing economic and social conditions of the continent.
   
   
3. Throughout the continent, opportunities for full participation, equality and empowerment for people with disabilities, especially in the fields of rehabilitation, education, training and employment, continue to be far less than those for their non-disabled peers. This is largely because negative social attitudes exclude persons with disabilities from an equal share in their entitlements as citizens. Such attitudes also curtail the opportunities of people with disabilities for social contact and close personal relationships with others. The social stigma associated all too often with disabilities must be eradicated.
   
   
4. The built environment throughout Africa has been designed without due consideration for the special needs of persons with disabilities. Physical obstacles and social barriers prevent citizens with disabilities from participating in community and national life. The various impediments to participation and equality are especially formidable for girls and women with disabilities. With positive attitudes, increased awareness and much care, we can build social and physical environments that are accessible for all, i.e. we must work towards a society for all. In this regard, we urge the free exchange of information.
   
   
5. We take pride in the fact that in economic terms, some of the African States are growing in spite of negative economic forces. We are also aware that countries in Africa are at different levels of development. We resolve that economic progress will also be reflected in the efforts that we devote to this extremely vulnerable social group in our societies: people with disabilities.
   
   
6. We welcome the adoption by the General Assembly of the OAU, the African Decade of Disabled Persons, 1999 – 2009, as a catalyst for effective new policy initiatives and actions at national, regional and continental levels aimed at systematically empowering and improving the conditions of people with disabilities, who constitute approximately one-tenth of Africa’s total population, and for harnessing their full development potential.
   
   
7. We thus proclaim and pledge our joint commitment to translating into action in our respective countries the ideals and objectives of the African Decade of Disabled Persons, and confirm our continued endeavour in accordance with the United Nations Charter’s affirmation of faith in the dignity and worth of the human persons.