Submitted by crinadmin on
Disabled Peoples' International is
people helping people help
themselves. It's philosophy is that
people with disabilities should
achieve full participation and equality
with their fellow citizens in every
society.
A major goal of Disabled Peoples'
International is the full participation
of all disabled people in the
mainstream of life, particularly those
in developing countries, who form
the vast majority of the world's 500
million disabled people. DPI
recognizes that poverty not only
leads to disability, but also allows
few concessions for the needs and
aspirations of disabled people. In
many rural areas, where up to 80
per cent of the general population
lives, disability prevention and
rehabilitation are rare. People with
disabilities are often rejected or
hidden away as an evil family secret.
Hence, DPI's goal of full participation
is a goal of gigantic proportions, but
one that has already been proven
possible.
Through its self-help development
programs and projects worldwide,
DPI has sought, and achieved, a
considerable increase in the
participation of disabled people in
their own social and economic
development, as well as in that of
their home countries.
Today, the DPI cross-disability
network has approximately 120
national members, over half of whom
are in developing nations. Any
organization controlled by disabled
people can be a member of the
national assembly of that country.
DPI ensures equal representation of
its members through a
decentralized "regional" structure,
which also facilitates leadership and
strategy development at the local
level. Through DPI, the voice of
disabled people everywhere has
already made a significant impact,
not only in regards to disability
concerns, but also on issues of
justice, human rights, peace and
international development. The
benefit is shared by everyone.
Among the current achievements and
activities of DPI:
Consultative status with the United
Nation's Economic and Social Council,
the World Health Organization and
the special list of the International
Labor Organization.
DPI worked closely with the United
Nations to develop the UN World
Program of Action Concerning
Disabled Persons. This collaboration
continued throughout the UN Decade
of Disabled Persons, 1983-92, as DPI
and UN agencies attempted to
implement shared principles of self-
determination, full participation and
equalization of opportunity for
disabled persons.
DPI was a major player in the
development of the UN Standard
Rules for Equalization of
Opportunities for Disabled Persons,
and in the initiation of the ESCAP
Asia-Pacific Regional Decade of
Disabled Persons.
In November, 1993, DPI
representatives attended the UN
International Year of the Family
preparatory meeting of NGOs in
Valeta, Malta, and participated. DPI
organized a workshop at this event
and developed a set of
recommendations.
DPI was a strong participant in the
UN Global Environmental Conference
in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
In 1994 DPI participated in the UN
Social Summit in Denmark.
DPI representatives attended the UN
Fourth International Conference on
Women in Beijing, China in 1995.
In October, 1992, then chair of DPI
Joshua Malinga addressed the
United Nations General Assembly on
the closing of the UN Decade of
Disabled People.
DPI received a testimonial
for "Dedicated Service" from the UN
Secretary General in 1987.
DPI was able to get the UN Human
Rights Commission to appoint a
rapporteur to conduct an
international study on the violation
of the human rights of disabled
people.
In 1984, in conjunction with non-
governmental organizations, DPI
was successful in getting the
International Labor Organization to
adopt a convention on employment
and rehabilitation.
DPI holds a major World Assembly in
a different host country every four
years, where the activities of the
organization are planned and
reviewed in the context of the global
situation of disabled people.
In 1982, DPI undertook a major
peace initiative. During its second
World Council Meeting in Tokyo,
Japan, DPI's Peace Statement was
read out at the Hiroshima Peace
Memorial Park.
DPI works continuously to increase
the equalization of opportunity and
general participation of disabled
women within its own structure and
around the world.
DPI has stimulated the development
of organizations of disabled people
in many parts of the world. As a
result, DPI's membership has
increased from under 50 to well over
100 countries.
DPI has carried out over 100
leadership training programs since
its inception.
DPI has provided technical
assistance and consultation to
member organizations in developing
training programs, technical aids
factories and income generating
projects.
DPI has regional offices on every
continent, representing all parts of
the world.
DPI