27 July 1993

43rd plenary meeting

International Day of Disabled Persons

The Economic and Social Council

Recommends to the General Assembly the adoption of the following draft resolution:

"International Day of Disabled Persons

"The General Assembly,

"Recalling all its relevant resolutions, including resolution 37/52 of 3 December 1982, by which it adopted the World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons, and resolution 37/53 of 3 December 1982, in which, inter alia, it proclaimed the period 1983-1992 the United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons as a long-term plan of action,

"Recalling also its request to the Secretary-General, made in its resolution 45/91 of 14 December 1990, to shift the focus of the United Nations programme on disability from awareness-raising to action, with the aim of achieving a society for all by the year 2010,

"Recalling further its resolution 47/3 of 14 October 1992 proclaiming 3 December as the International Day of Disabled Persons,

"Noting that, despite an appreciable increase in activities designed to enhance public awareness of the needs and circumstances of people with disabilities and of related issues, there continues to be a need for sustained efforts to overcome physical and social barriers to the full equality and participation of disabled persons,

"Aware of the need for more vigorous and broader action and measures at all levels to fulfil the objectives of the Decade and the World Programme of Action,

"Bearing in mind that the purpose of the World Programme of Action is to promote effective measures for the prevention of disability, for rehabilitation and the realization of the goals of full participation of disabled persons in social life and development and of equality, which means opportunities equal to those of the entire population and an equal share in the improvement in living conditions resulting from social and economic development,

"1. Takes note with satisfaction of the number of Member States that celebrated the first International Day of Disabled Persons on 3 December 1992;

"2. Appeals to all Governments to observe the International Day of Disabled Persons, using this opportunity to take the lead in awakening the consciousness of populations regarding the gains to be derived by individuals and society from the integration of disabled persons in every area of social, economic and political life;

"3. Reiterates the need to involve disabled persons and their organizations in decisions on all matters of concern to them, including the celebration of the International Day of Disabled Persons;

"4. Invites Member States to consider a way of linking, each year, the observance of the International Day of Disabled Persons with important United Nations events such as the World Conference on Human Rights, held at Vienna from 14 to 25 June 1993, the International Year of the Family, to be observed in 1994, the International Conference on Population and Development, to be held at Cairo from 5 to 13 September 1994, the World Summit for Social Development, to be held at Copenhagen in 1995 and the Fourth World Conference on Women: Action for Equality, Development and Peace, to be held at Beijing from 4 to 15 September 1995;

"5. Requests the Secretary-General to report to the Commission for Social Development, at its thirty-fourth session, on measures taken by Member States to observe the International Day of Disabled Persons."