3 December 1982

World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons

The General Assembly,

Recalling its resolutions 31/123 of 16 December 1976 by which it proclaimed the year 1981 International Year of Disabled Persons, 32/133 of 16 December 1977 by which it established the Advisory Committee for the International Year of Disabled Persons, 33/170 of 20 December 1978, 34/154 of 17 December 1979 in which it, inter alia, decided to expand the theme of the International Year of Disabled Persons to "Full participation and equality", 35/133 of 11 December 1980 and 36/77 of 8 December 1981,

Deeply concerned that no less than five hundred million persons are estimated to suffer from disability of one form or another, of whom four hundred million are estimated to be in developing countries,

Reiterating the continuing need to promote the realization of the right of disabled persons to participate fully in the social life and development of their societies and to enjoy living conditions equal to those of other citizens, as well as to share equally in the improvements in living conditions resulting from social and economic development,

Recognizing that the International Year of Disabled Persons contributed to the acceptance by the community of the right of disabled persons to participate fully in the social life and development of their societies and to enjoy living conditions equal to those of their fellow citizens,

Convinced that the International Year of Disabled Persons gave a genuine and meaningful impetus to activities related to equalization of opportunities for disabled persons, as well as prevention and rehabilitation at all levels,

Expressing its satisfaction with the efforts of Member States during the International Year of Disabled Persons to improve the conditions and well-being of disabled persons and their willingness to involve disabled persons and their organizations in all matters of concern to them,

Also expressing its satisfaction with the initiatives taken by the specialized agencies and other organizations of the United Nations system, non-governmental organizations and, in particular, organizations of disabled persons,

Taking note of the emergence of organizations of disabled persons in all parts of the world and their positive influence on the image and condition of persons with a disability,

Having considered the Vienna Affirmative Action Plan adopted by the World Symposium of Experts on Technical Co-operation among Developing Countries and Technical Assistance in Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation,

Expressing its appreciation to the Advisory Committee for the International Year of Disabled Persons for the work it has done,

Having considered the report of the Advisory Committee for the International Year of Disabled Persons on its fourth session and its proposal for a World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons,

Desirous of ensuring an effective follow-up to the International Year of Disabled Persons and aware that if this is to be achieved Member States, organs, organizations and agencies of the United Nations system, non-governmental organizations and organizations of disabled persons must therefore be encouraged to continue the activities already undertaken and to initiate new programmes and activities,

Stressing that the primary responsibility for promoting effective measures for prevention of disability, rehabilitation and the realization of the goals of "full participation" of disabled persons in social life and development and of "equality" rests with individual countries and that international action should be directed to assist and support national efforts in this regard,

1. Adopts the World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons, as set forth in recommendation 1 (IV) of the annex to the report of the Advisory Committee for the International Year of Disabled Persons at its fourth session;

2. Calls upon all Member States, all relevant non-governmental organizations and organizations of disabled persons and, through a reallocation of existing resources, calls also upon all organs, organizations and agencies of the United Nations system to ensure early implementation of the World Programme of Action concerning disabled persons;

3. Decides to evaluate at its forty-second session, with the help of the Secretary-General, the implementation of the World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons.