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SUMMARY
The High-level Intergovernmental Meeting
to Conclude the Asian and Pacific Decade for
Disabled Persons, 1993–2002 met in Otsu
City, Shiga Prefecture, Japan from 25 to 28
October 2002. Twenty-seven members and associate
members of ESCAP attended the Meeting. Also
in attendance were representatives of six
United Nations bodies and specialized agencies,
two intergovernmental organizations and many
non-governmental organizations and other organizations
involved with disability issues.
The Meeting reviewed the achievements in
the implementation of the Decade goals, highlighted
the best practices in policy and programme
development in the implementation of the Agenda
for Action and adopted the Biwako Millennium
Framework for Action towards an inclusive,
barrier-free and rights-based society for
persons with disabilities in Asia and the
Pacific.
The Biwako Millennium Framework for Action,
which incorporates the Millennium Development
Goals (MDGs) and their relevant targets, identified
seven priority areas for action, in each of
which critical issues were identified, targets
with specific timeframes were adopted and
required actions were spelt out. In all, twenty-one
targets and seventeen strategies supporting
the achievement of the targets were identified.
In May 2002, ESCAP adopted the resolution
58/4 on “Promoting an inclusive, barrier-free
and rights-based society for people with disabilities
in the Asian and Pacific region in the twenty-first
century”. The resolution proclaimed
the extension of the Asian and Pacific Decade
of Disabled Persons for another decade, 2003-2012.
The Meeting adopted the Biwako Millennium
Framework for Action as a clear guide for
the next decade, to ensure that the paradigm
shift from a charity-based approach to a rights-based
approach to protect the civil, cultural, economic,
political, and social rights of persons with
disabilities would be put into practice.
The Meeting noted that subregional priorities
varied and that more emphasis on subregional
activities and implementation would facilitate
the achievement of the targets of the Biwako
Millennium Framework for Action during the
next decade. The meeting also noted that,
in order to pursue the targets and strategies
in the Framework, consultations with and involvement
of civil society, especially self-help organizations
and concerned NGOs, were essential.
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I. KEY OUTCOMES OF THE MEETING
1. From a welfare approach to a human rights approach
to disability concerns. This summed up the spirit
and direction of the High-level Intergovernmental
Meeting to Conclude the Asian and Pacific Decade
for Disabled Persons, 1993 - 2002. The Meeting reviewed
the achievements in the implementation of the Decade
goals, highlighted the best practices in policy
and programme development in the implementation
of the Agenda for Action and adopted the Biwako
Millennium Framework for Action towards an inclusive,
barrier-free and rights-based society for persons
with disabilities in Asia and the Pacific. In many
countries and areas in the region, the most significant
outcome of the Decade had been the empowerment of
persons with disabilities, their increased capacity
to act as agents of change and to participate more
fully in society with a consultative role on issues
concerning them. Persons with disabilities, and
their societies, had benefitted from these changes,
as a rights-based approach had increasingly replaced
a charity and welfare-based approach to disability.
2. The Meeting assessed the challenges that remain
– the barriers that still exist that prevent
persons with disabilities from enjoying equal participation
and rights in the region. More could and needed
to be done in terms of enacting and implementing
relevant legislation, extending inclusive education
for all, improving training and employment, addressing
poverty, ensuring early intervention and creating
a truly barrier-free and rights-based society. These
priority areas were identified in the Biwako Millennium
Framework.
3. The Meeting agreed that in spite of the progress
that has been made, there was no room for complacency.
Further sustained commitment and action was necessary
to ensure that the improvements to the rights and
participation of persons with disabilities that
had been gained during this Decade were extended
to the many persons with disabilities whose lives
had not yet been touched. Concerted effort was needed
in the next decade to consolidate and extend the
inclusion of disability concerns in mainstream national
development policies, plans and implementation.
4. In May 2002, ESCAP adopted the resolution 58/4
on “Promoting an inclusive, barrier-free and
rights-based society for people with disabilities
in the Asian and Pacific region in the twenty-first
century”. The resolution proclaimed the extension
of the Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons,
1993-2002, for another decade, 2003-2012.
5. The Biwako Millennium Framework outlined issues,
action plans and strategies to work towards an inclusive,
barrier-free and rights-based society for persons
with disabilities. To achieve the goal, the framework
identified seven priority areas for action, in each
of which critical issues were identified, targets
with specific time frames were adopted and required
actions were spelt out.
6. The priority policy areas identified in the
Biwako Millennium Framework are: (1) Self-help organizations
of persons with disabilities and related family
and parent associations, (2) Women with disabilities,
(3) Early detection, early intervention and education,
(4) Training and employment, including self-employment,
(5) Access to built environments and public transport,
(6) Access to information and communications, including
information, communications and assistive technologies,
and (7) Poverty alleviation through capacity-building,
social security and sustainable livelihood programmes.
7. The regional framework for action incorporates
the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and their
relevant targets. In all, twenty-one targets and
seventeen strategies supporting the achievement
of all the targets are identified. The 17 strategies
call for (1) comprehensive national plans of action
to implement the targets and strategies (2) non-discrimination
policies (3) national human rights institutions
to protect disabled people’s rights (4) the
involvement of persons with disabilities in policy
development (5) ratification of the core international
human rights treaties (6) and (7) support to the
Ad Hoc Committee for the comprehensive and integral
international convention to promote and protect
the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities
(8) disability-related data collection and analysis,
(9) the adoption of definitions on disability based
on the United Nations publication “Guidelines
and Principles for the Development of Disability
Statistics.”, (10) national policies to promote
community-based approaches to rehabilitation, (11)
and (12) subregional priorities and plans of action
to achieve the targets, (13) collaboration of Governments,
the United Nations system, civil society organizations
and the private sector to support and take advantage
of the training and communication capability of
the Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability,
(14) and (15) a network of centres of excellence
in focused areas to maximize cooperation and collaboration,
and (16) intergovernmental cooperation and (17)
cooperation between ESCAP and other regional agencies
for exchange of information, experience and expertise.
8. The next decade would ensure that the paradigm
shift from a charity-based approach to a rights-based
approach to protect the civil, cultural, economic,
political, and social rights of persons with disabilities
would be put to practice. To pursue the targets
and strategies in the Framework, consultations with
and involvement of civil society, especially self-help
organizations and concerned NGOs were essential.
9. The Meeting noted that subregional priorities
varied and that more emphasis on subregional activities
and implementation would facilitate the achievement
of the targets of the Biwako Millennium Framework
for Action during the next decade.
II. PROCEEDINGS OF THE HIGH-LEVEL INTERGOVERNMENTAL
MEETING TO CONCLUDE THE ASIAN AND PACIFIC DECADE
FOR DISABLED PERSONS, 1993 - 2002
A. Review of achievements in the implementation
of the Agenda for Action for the Asian and Pacific
Decade of Disabled Persons, 1993-2002
10. The Meeting had before it the following document:
Review of regional-level actions in support of
the implementation of the Agenda for Action for
the Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons,
1993-200 (E/ESCAP/APDDP/2)
11. The High-level Intergovernmental Meeting noted
with appreciation the Statement of Mr. Eita Yashiro,
Chairperson, Organizing Committee, International
Forum on Disabilities to Mark the End Year of the
Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons. Representing
the Osaka Forum, Mr. Yashiro communicated to the
Meeting, the highlights of the Osaka Forum held
in Osaka, Japan from 21 to 23 October 2002. The
organizations at that Forum had committed themselves
to work towards an early adoption of a convention
on the rights of persons with disabilities, establishing
stronger monitoring mechanisms, ensuring proper
representation in the Asian and Pacific Disability
Forum and providing active cooperation to the Asia-Pacific
Development Center on Disability.
12. The High-level Intergovernmental Meeting welcomed
the keynote address of Mr. Satoshi Fukushima, Associate
Professor, Research Center for Advanced Science
and Technology, University of Tokyo. Mr. Fukushima
(a deaf-blind person) outlined three key factors
necessary for the full participation of people with
disabilities. The first was the provision of basic
means necessary for people with disabilities to
live and participate in society. This implied sufficient
access to education and rehabilitation. The second
was the cooperation of people who have actual contact
with disabled people in their living environment.
In particular, mutual cooperation among peers with
the same disability and self-help efforts on the
part of persons with disabilities and their family.
The third was an enabling legal and institutional
framework of society that offered a stable basis
for the cooperative efforts of people who support
the pursuit of happiness of persons with disabilities.
This included legislation prohibiting discrimination
against and respecting the dignity of people with
disabilities and the establishment of institutional
systems promoting training and employment of people
with disabilities. Mr. Fukushima observed that communication
was the most important activity in leading a life
a life as a human being.
13. The Meeting recognized that, during the Decade,
ESCAP had convened regional meetings to review progress
in the implementation of the Agenda for Action.
A Meeting held at Bangkok in June 1995 had examined
the progress made since the inception of the Decade
and adopted 73 targets and 78 recommendations concerning
the implementation of the Agenda for Action, including
the gender dimensions of implementation. The Meeting
of Senior Officials to Mark the Mid-point of the
Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons, hosted
by the Government of the Republic of Korea at Seoul
in September 1997, had reviewed the progress made
during the first half of the Decade. The third in
the series of regional reviews had been the Regional
Forum on Meeting the Targets for the Asian and Pacific
Decade of Disabled Persons, and Equalization of
Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities in the
ESCAP Region, held at Bangkok in November 1999.
ESCAP had also undertaken a regional survey in 2001
by means of a questionnaire sent to governments
in the region on the implementation of the 12 policy
areas in the Agenda for Action.
14. In 2000, the Thematic Working Group on Disability-related
Concerns (TWGDC) had replaced the earlier RICAP
Subcommittee and continued to sustain the momentum
towards the fulfillment of the goals of the Decade.
The membership of TWGDC was expanded to include
50 NGOs, 15 government representatives and the Asian
Development Bank.
15. The Meeting recognized that, of the 12 policy
areas under the Agenda for Action, ESCAP efforts
had been focused on areas that were not covered
by the mandates or expertise of other United Nations
bodies and agencies. ESCAP had focused on policy
areas concerning national coordination, legislation,
information (in particular, disability statistics),
accessibility, assistive devices and self-help organizations
of disabled persons.
16. In response to many requests from Governments
in the region for model frameworks of legislation,
ESCAP had issued two publications in 1995: Legislation
on Equal Opportunities and Full Participation in
Development for Disabled Persons: Regional Review
and Legislation on Equal Opportunities and full
Participation in Development for Disabled Persons:
Examples from the ESCAP Region.
17. Among its activities in the area of public
awareness, ESCAP had actively supported the regional
campaigns that were organized by the Regional NGO
Network for the promotion of the Decade in collaboration
with host governments and local NGOs. Campaign 2001
was the largest regional campaign, and it had adopted
the Hanoi Declaration that urged governments in
the region to extend the Asian and Pacific Decade
for another 10 years.
18. The Meeting noted that the final regional campaign
had been held in Osaka, Japan in October 2002, in
conjunction with the International Forum on Disabilities
to Mark the End Year of the Asian and Pacific Decade
of Disabled Persons.
19. An important area of information was disability
statistics. ESCAP had organized two subregional
workshops on disability statistics, one in New Delhi,
India, and the other in Shanghai, China. In 1997,
ESCAP had created a Decade homepage: http://www.unescap.org/decade.
Information on the aforementioned workshops and
about other, resources, links to disability-related
organizations, reports of the TWGDC and many ESCAP
publications on disability had been posted at this
website.
20. The Meeting observed that one of ESCAP’s
flagship programmes was the promotion of non-handicapping
environments for persons with disabilities. The
first phase of this project focused on the development
of regional guidelines for the promotion of non-handicapping
environments for persons with disabilities and older
persons. The guidelines, published in 1995, covered
planning and building design, access policy provisions
and legislation, and the promotion of public awareness
to improve access. Phase two of the project was
focused on the implementation of the guidelines
at the municipal level through pilot projects in
the cities of Bangkok, Beijing and New Delhi. Among
other things, actual accessibility improvements
were achieved at all three pilot sites. Additionally,
the projects led Governments to examine policies
concerning accessibility for people with disabilities
and the issuance of improved regulations on the
matter.
21. These and other ESCAP initiatives in access
promotion had contributed to the formation of a
regional network of persons with disabilities, architects
and urban planners who were active in training government
officials and advocating for non-handicapping environments
at municipal, provincial and national levels.
22. In the area of education, the Meeting noted
that ESCAP’s activities were directed at supporting
the inclusion of children and youth with disabilities
within the Education for All campaigns, led by UNESCO.
Specific activities had covered inclusive education
seminars, a forum on the education of children and
youth with disabilities and regional surveys on
early intervention and education of children and
youth with disabilities.
23. ESCAP had collaborated with and supported ILO
in its efforts to strengthen employment placement
services. ESCAP and ILO had also contributed to
RICAP’s training and employment activities
in the region. Other related activities had included
ESCAP’s input to the Global Applied Disability
Research and Information Network on employment opportunities
for persons with disabilities through technology.
24. The second of the two of ESCAP’s flagship
programmes was the empowerment of people with disabilities
through their self-help organizations (SHOs). Since
1990, in close collaboration with SHOs in the region,
ESCAP had developed a set of guidelines on establishing
and strengthening SHOs. Self-help Organization of
Disabled Persons had been published in 1991 and
translated into five national languages and into
English Braille. Other activities in this area had
included subregional workshops on the management
of SHOs, which led to the publication of Management
of Self-help Organizations of people with disabilities
and regular technical and advisory services in support
of SHOs.
25. Women with disabilities represented one of
the most neglected segments of the population. ESCAP,
in collaboration with UNIFEM and other members of
RICAP had developed a project to promote the advancement
of women and girls with disabilities. This project
had led to a publication entitled Hidden Sisters:
Women and Girls with Disabilities in the Asian and
Pacific Region. ESCAP had also organized a Regional
Training Workshop on the Inclusion of Women and
Girls with Disabilities in Mainstream Gender Equality
Initiatives, in conjunction with the Asia-Pacific
Summit of Women Mayors and Councillors. This event
had led to the establishment of the Network of Women
with Disabilities.
26. The meeting recognized that the links between
disability and poverty were increasingly becoming
key concerns in ESCAP’s work. One of ESCAP’s
activities in this area had been a Field Study-cum-Regional
Seminar on Poverty Alleviation among Rural Persons
with Disabilities, organized in Hyderabad, India,
in December 1999. This seminar was one of the first
of its kind to draw attention to the issues of poor
persons with disabilities in the rural areas of
the developing ESCAP countries.
27. The technical cooperation trust fund for the
Decade, sustained by contributions from Governments,
labour organizations and a private company, had
enabled ESCAP to promote inter-country cooperation
and facilitate national and local implementation
of the 12 areas of the Agenda for Action. The Decade
fund also provided for personnel support for the
secretariat’s Decade promotion activities.
28. The programmes and activities of several United
Nations bodies and agencies in support of the Decade
were also noted. The Food and Agriculture Organization
of the United Nations (FAO) had initiated programmes
for farmers with disabilities as well as formulating
advice to policy makers and programme designers
to improve women's knowledge of nutrition and food
safety and the prevention of accidents. The FAO
had also established a database on persons with
disabilities in rural areas. The International Labour
Organization (ILO) had carried out many programmes
in increasing employment opportunities for people
with disabilities. The International Telecommunication
Union (ITU) had produced a recommendation to raise
funds to develop programmes for women, including
women with disabilities and to enhance their skills
in ICT. The United Nations Development Programme’s
(UNDP) Disability Action Group had promoted the
inclusion of people with disabilities in mainstream
programmes on sustainable human development. The
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organization (UNESCO) had promoted inclusive approaches
to education, to increase the full participation
of children and youth with special educational needs
in both in-school and out-school activities. The
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
had prioritized assistance to refugees with disabilities.
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)
had worked on issues related to childhood disability
and to design effective interventions, including
access to mainstream education and other social
services. The World Health Organization (WHO) had
promoted the concept and implementation of community-based
rehabilitation. The Asian Development Bank (ADB)
had a project to identify disability issues in poverty
reduction.
29. The Meeting recognized that without strong
support at the regional level, the implementation
of the unique regional Decade at the national level
would have been difficult. With this same support,
this region planned to implement another decade
to achieve an inclusive, barrier-free and rights-based
society for persons with disabilities. To achieve
this goal, the Meeting called for each member of
the United Nations system to further strengthen
its work and join hands to create synergy of its
regional cooperation and support.
30. In the Roundtable discussion on lessons learned
for future action from the Asian and Pacific Decade
of Disabled Persons 1993-2002, Mr. Guo Jianmo, Secretary
General, State Council Coordination Committee on
Disabilities, China, pointed out that disability
was an issue of both human rights and social development.
On one hand, the basic human rights of people with
disabilities as members of society needed be upheld,
and on the other hand, there was a need to emphasize
that social development was the indispensable precondition
to realize human rights. The Government of China
believed that the formulation and implementation
of an International Convention on Rights of Disabled
Persons would be a powerful and effective means
to advance the world disability movement. The adoption
of such a convention would make the existing United
Nations human rights convention system more rational
and complete and it would be a milestone in the
history of the world disability movement.
31. Ms. Anuradha Mohit noted that, in addition
to gaining a human rights perspective, there was
a growing realization that disability was not a
deviation, but an inevitable and integral characteristic
of every society. Therefore, the solution did not
lie in short-term alleviation of individual problems
using state institutions, voluntary organizations
and bilateral and multilateral funding bodies. Instead,
the need was to integrate disability dimensions
into basic structures that are fundamental to the
organization of every society. No meaningful change
could come about for persons with disabilities unless
the various social and economic processes of civil
society were redefined on disability-inclusive standards.
32. The Agenda for Action of the Asian and Pacific
Decade had provided clear guidance and direction
for action towards the achievement of the goal of
participation and equal opportunity for persons
with disabilities. Even in countries and territories
where the Decade Proclamation had been signed recently,
there had been significant progress in several policy
areas including the establishment of national coordinating
mechanisms, with strong partnership developed between
government and non-governmental organizations of
persons with disabilities, and funding assistance
provided to strengthen these self-help organizations.
Significant initiatives had been undertaken in the
areas of data collection and information, public
awareness, and access to education as a right for
all children including children with disabilities.
Involvement in regional training workshops and meetings
had increased national capacity for action, and
regional cooperation had resulted in beneficial
exchange of experiences and sharing of good practices.
B. Highlights of the implementation of
the Agenda for Action for the Asian and Pacific
Decade of Disabled Persons, 1993-2002
(a) Legislation and coordinating mechanisms on
disability matters
33. The meeting observed that every country that
had reported its progress during the decade had
made a quantum leap in adding the disability dimension
to the national policy structure by enacting or
amending laws, establishing a long-term disability
plan or national coordination mechanism on disability
policy. These laws were largely to protect human
rights of persons with disabilities covering various
aspects of their social life ranging from political
participation to education on the use of guide dogs.
Further deepening of a rights-based approach at
national and international level during the next
decade was a goal of the next decade.
34. The Meeting noted that 27 governments in the
region had formed national coordinating committees
on disability (NCCD). The establishment of NCCDs
was being planned in seven other countries and areas.
National policy and action plans had been developed
in 16 countries and areas, and were in the process
of development in 13 others. Additionally, some
governments had taken significant steps to include
disability issues within national development plans,
including human rights and poverty concerns. Some
Governments also held regular consultations with
specially formed consultative committees of people
with disabilities.
35. The Meeting recognized that a major constraint
to progress towards the goal of full participation
and equality of persons with disability was the
continuing lack of recognition of disability as
a development concern. It appeared that disability
was still perceived as primarily a welfare issue.
36. In the area of legislation, the Meeting recognized
that 13 Governments had passed comprehensive disability
legislation; nine Governments reported that legislation
was in preparation, and 27 Governments had enacted,
or are in the process of revising, extensive additional
specific legislation or regulations. Measures for
enforcement and enactment of anti-discrimination
legislation had also been undertaken by a number
of Governments.
37. The Meeting identified the major challenge
in this area as the establishment of stricter mechanisms
for enforcement of legislation and the application
of penalties for non-compliance.
(b) Education for children and youth with disabilities
38. The meeting noted that the issue of education
for children with disabilities was an area of particular
concern in the Asian and Pacific region. The rate
of enrolment for children without disabilities had
reached acceptable levels and was improving in many
countries and territories of the region, but the
rate of access to school for children with disabilities
remained unacceptably low. Recent trends had seen
increased commitment by governments of the region
to include education for children with disabilities
in national education policy. The meeting noted
that this trend was evident in many Asian and Pacific
countries and territories, as was the increasing
trend towards including many children with disabilities
in regular schools. It was reported that effective
educational outcomes could be achieved for all children
through methods that result in changes to attitudes
and teaching practices, with close working partnerships
formed between families, schools and local communities.
39. The meeting observed that inclusive education
systems could be successfully introduced in resource
poor developing countries and that with careful
and systematic introduction exponential growth in
enrolment rates for children with disabilities could
be achieved over a period of several years.
40. In the region, developed countries had made
more progress in providing education for all children
with disabilities, including those with severe and
multiple disabilities. Progress had been made in
making schools barrier-free. Early intervention
and teacher training which prepared all teachers
to teach children with diverse capabilities were
identified as two important components which contributed
to successful educational outcomes for all children,
including children with disabilities.
41. The Meeting stressed that only an estimated
2 to 5 per cent of children with disabilities in
developing countries in the region had access to
school. The lack of data on the number and prevalence
of children with disabilities made it impossible
to measure progress adequately or gain better understanding
on these issues.
42. The Meeting noted, however, that there was
some evidence that the situation was improving.
Legislation mandating education for all children
had been passed or was planned by 20 governments.
However, only a few Governments had provided for
the inclusion of children with disabilities in national
Education For All plans. The predominant form of
access to education has been through separate school
provision, but inclusive educational provision was
increasing. Twenty-seven Governments reported some
access to regular schools for children and youth
with disabilities.
43. The Meeting noted with concern that Education
For All by 2015, a goal shared by the Dakar Framework
for Action and the Millennium Development Goals
would not be achieved in the region without increased
commitment by governments and civil society.
(c) Freedom of movement and independent living
44. The meeting observed that many countries had
actively and successfully implemented specific measures
to improve accessibility to the built environment
and public transportation, in both the public and
private sectors. One of the important issues raised
was that ensuring accessibility meant establishing
human rights for persons with disabilities for social
integration. Furthering disabled persons’
active participation in access policy development
and implementation was considered as an essential
component for successful implementation of the next
decade’s goals.
45. Progress had been made in this area, as 24
Governments had passed, or were developing, legislation
and standards on accessible environments and transport.
Lack of barrier-free environments and equal access
to information and communications technology precluded
full participation of all but a few disabled people
in a limited number of urban environments. In terms
of accessible environments and services, as well,
much more needed to be done. Where related legislation
had been passed, it was often not enforced.
(d) Training and employment
46. The Meeting reviewed many examples of improvement
in access to training and education, which were
essential to productive employment. Greater access
to education by persons with disabilities had been
achieved with special schools, schools in which
classes for persons with disabilities were integrated
and inclusive schools, in which persons with disabilities
attended the same classes as other students.
47. Governments had strengthened vocational education
programmes for persons with disabilities and were
increasingly incorporating advanced technology in
such training, by providing training on information
and communications technology, for example.
48. Governments had promoted the employment of
persons with disabilities by, inter alia, establishing
employment quotas for the government sector and
private sector enterprises, and by providing interest-free
loans for self-employment.
49. The Meeting observed that NGOs had also made
a significant contribution to the training and employment
of persons with disabilities. The Meeting also observed
that some employers and employers’ organbizations
had contributed to the training and employment of
persons with disabilities. It also noted that the
lack of trained personnel hampered government efforts
to provide general education and vocational training
for persons with disabilities.
50. The Meeting noted that, of 27 governments who
provided vocational training services, five were
in the early stages of establishing such services.
Nine countries were moving towards integrated provision
of vocational training. Many strategies had been
adopted to promote increased rates of employment
of people with disabilities. Twelve countries have
implemented a quota system with incentives and fines
being used to ensure enforcement. Additional strategies
include job search agencies, employment placement
and support centers, wage subsidy, job coaching,
trial employment, and industrial profiling. Strategies
to promote self-employment and income generation
through small grant funding, micro-credit, and loans,
were reported in a number of countries. These Governments
and others reported a specific focus on employment
of people with disabilities in rural areas. The
Government of Japan has been focusing on employment
promotion for people with severe disabilities within
the private sector.
(e) Access to information and communications
51. The High-level Meeting noted that while there
were benefits to be gained from ICT development,
there were also gaps, in particular, for persons
with disabilities. Without addressing the digital
divide issue, the Asian and Pacific region would
not be able to create an inclusive, barrier-free
and rights-based society.
52. Delegates noted that the High-level Meeting
provided a good example of communication and exchange
of experiences on ICT accessibility. This was the
first time that United Nations documentation had
been made fully accessible to all delegates, including
the deaf-blind delegates in CD-ROM version, using
the DAISY format. The DAISY format provided technical
support including reading in Braille real-time captions
for hearing impaired participants, including Braille
support, and sign language interpretation for deaf
participants.
53. The High-level Intergovernmental Meeting noted
that some countries already provided talking software
and large-size keyboards for visually impaired people.
In addition, partial subsidies for the purchase
of personal computers and peripheral equipment for
persons with disabilities were provided in some
countries.
54. One country had built legal and institutional
structures such as a disability welfare law, a broadcasting
act, a convenience promotion act, a human rights
charter for persons with disabilities, a basic law
to promote information, and a law on solving the
digital divide. This legislation was designed to
ensure that the rights of disadvantaged groups including
persons with disabilities, and to ensure access
to and use of information.
55. On the promotion of access to the most common
means of communication as outlined in the 107 targets
for action contained in the Agenda for Action of
the Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons,
the Meeting noted that the target to develop and
disseminate indigenous Sign Language, to train Sign
Language interpreters, and to ensure equal access
to communication had yet to be fully realized.
56. In this regard, the Meeting stressed the need
to develop and coordinate standardized national
sign language, tactile sign language, Braille, Finger
Braille and easy-to-read publications in each country
in the region and to train sign language interpreters,
Braille translators and Finger Braille interpreters,
and to have them engaged in full-time employment.
The Meeting also noted that some countries had already
developed assistive devices such as books in Braille,
talking books and a national sign language system.
57. The Meeting recognized that access to communications
technology and computer literacy was clearly limited
and not available to the majority of people with
disabilities, especially those living in rural areas
or urban poverty.
(f) Poverty alleviation and community participation
of rural persons with disabilities
58. Increasingly the link between poverty and disability,
and the unmet needs of the majority of disabled
persons living in rural areas, was being recognized.
The capacities of persons with disabilities needed
be developed so that they could contribute to community-based
solutions to the particular problems that they faced.
Governments needed to ensure that vulnerable persons
with disabilities were able to access health, education,
training and employment services and are integrated
into community development programmes. The low rates
of access to appropriate education for children
with disabilities and high rates of unemployment
for youth and adults with disabilities needed urgent
attention.
59. The Meeting agreed that poor people with disabilities
can, themselves, contribute to poverty alleviation
efforts when the enabling environment was established.
This would mean accurate identifying of needs, a
consultative process in design and implementation
especially between governments, the private sector
and civil society, generating the necessary resources
and enacting the relevant legislation and policies.
The Meeting recognized that development is about
inclusion and that there was a need to shift from
a charity approach to a rights-based and socio-economic
approach to disability issues.
60. The Meeting noted that poverty alleviation
efforts required an integrated approach linking
prevention and rehabilitation with empowerment strategies
and changes in attitudes.
61. The establishment of national databases was
essential to provide accurate information on people
with disabilities and their situations, without
which it was difficult to plan appropriate services
and to monitor progress towards the achievement
of full participation and equality.
(g) Self-help organizations of persons with disabilities
and issues concerning women with disabilities
62. The meeting noted that there had been a significant
shift during the decade in the importance placed
upon organizations of persons with disabilities.
In the Biwako Millennium Framework for Action they
had received a higher priority than in the previous
Decade. Persons with disabilities had moved from
a situation of extreme vulnerability, restriction
on their activities and being perceived as a threat
to service delivery providers. The past decade had
been perceived as a time of struggle to have their
voices heard but as the next decade approached persons
with disabilities were demanding a more prominent
role, to be accepted as contributing members of
society, to ‘sit at the table’ and to
be consulted on all issues concerning themselves
and their organizations. As organizations of persons
with disabilities demand and accept more responsibility,
it was important that they focus on group solidarity,
while remaining sensitive to specific single disability
issues, rural and gender equity. It was observed
that organizations of persons with disabilities
would play a key role in the realization of the
goals of the Biwako Millennium Framework, and that
governments needed to support capacity-building
and leadership training to promote this role. The
double discrimination of women with disabilities
was noted, but the meeting observed that this situation
was changing, and initiatives for leadership training
were increasing on a national and regional basis.
Further emphasis on these activities was required
in the next decade.
63. The meeting noted the importance of training
a new generation of young leaders, including young
women with disabilities, and also of achieving the
establishment of a national organization of persons
with disabilities in each country and territory
of the ESCAP region during the next decade.
64. Governments in the region were becoming increasingly
supportive of SHOs and valued the role that they
played in advising Governments on disability concerns.
Twenty-two countries had formed national cross-disability
organizations of people with disabilities, or self-help
organizations (SHOs). Four were in the process of
forming such groups. Seventeen Governments had provided
for input by SHOs into national policy development
and 12 Governments provided funding assistance to
strengthen and support the development of SHOs.
65. Some SHOs had developed without Government
support. Additionally, the lack of coordination
of many disparate and often single disability groups
had weakened the capacity of SHOs to advocate their
cause effectively. Better Coordination of these
would clearly be beneficial to Governments and people
with disabilities.
66. The situation of partnership and consultation
between Governments and SHOs, had not yet been satisfactorily
achieved within the region and progress towards
it had been slow.
C. Consideration of a regional framework for action
towards an inclusive,
barrier-free and rights-based society for persons
with disabilities in Asia and the Pacific
(a) Biwako Millennium Framework
67. The Meeting had before it document E/ESCAP/APDDP/4
entitled “Draft Biwako millennium framework
for action towards an inclusive, barrier-free, rights-based
society for persons with disabilities in Asia and
the Pacific”.
68. The High-level Intergovernmental Meeting agreed
that the Biwako Millennium Framework for Action
would be valuable in setting guidelines and targets
for national, subregional and regional programmes
on disability over the next ten years. The Meeting
welcomed the paradigm shift which incorporates disability
into an inclusive, barrier-free and rights-based
framework. It concurred that the seven priority
areas specified in the Framework provided a useful
focus for future programmes and activities.
69. The Meeting strengthened the draft Biwako Millennium
Framework by adding targets and recommended actions
on information and communications technology; Braille
and sign language; early identification of disability
and sports, leisure and recreation for persons with
disabilities.
70. The Meeting gave particular attention to the
situation of persons with intellectual disabilities
and those with severe disabilities. It recommended
that their situation be specifically incorporated
in the next regional review conducted by ESCAP of
policies and programmes related to disability.
71. The Meeting considered the Biwako Millennium
Framework and adopted it on 28 October 2002 for
submission to the Commission for its endorsement.
(b) Subregional priorities and recommendations
72. The Meeting recognized the particular areas
of concern in the different sub-regions, which was
identified by sub-regional discussion groups. The
sub-regional discussion groups suggested recommendations
for the Meeting to consider.
(i) Subregional Group on the Pacific
73. The subregional discussion group considered
all the priority areas equally important and noted
that the order of priority would differ for different
countries and territories within the region.
74. The group recognized that, for the Pacific
subregion, there would be continued emphasis on
the initiatives of the 1993-2002 Decade such as
legislation and legislative revision, national policy
and planning, inclusive and compulsory education,
the strengthening of self-help organizations, organizations
of women with disabilities, and organizations of
parents and families, support and encouragement
of parents to act as advocates for their children
with disabilities.
75. The group identified subregional cooperation
as a strategy that would need to be strengthened.
This would facilitate the development and use of
networks of and for persons with disabilities and
carers and families of children with disabilities;
training workshops within the subregion, using local
expertise where available, supplemented by regional
experts; strong cooperative relationships with some
more developed countries of the region; exchange
programs; and organization of awareness training
and programmes. The awareness training and programs
should increase awareness and commitment of Governments
of the sub-region to the rights and concerns of
persons with disabilities, to promote political
will to develop policy, legislation and implementation
measures required to mainstream disability issues
into national development.
76. The group suggested a strong focus on increased
access to and support for education for all children
with disabilities; on vocational training and employment
opportunities for youth and adults with disabilities.
(ii) Subregional Group on South and South-West
Asia
77. The subregional discussion group agreed to
the Biwako Millennium Framework and observed that
countries should contextualize the priorities and
add new priorities if necessary to address country
specific circumstances. The group identified a number
of concerns that could be emphasized, including
the participation of families and parents associations;
that support be given to networks of women with
disabilities; that early detection mechanisms be
put in place and that training of personnel in education
be reinforced; that the percentage of children with
disabilities in mainstream schools should be at
least that of non-disabled children in school in
that particular country.
78. The group emphasized that the health of persons
with disabilities should be given special attention;
that the private sector should be encouraged to
employ persons with disabilities; that there should
be a universal standardization of access features
in built environments and that barriers should also
be removed in the areas of telecommunication and
broadcasting.
79. The group recognized that inter-ministerial
and intra-ministerial coordination needed to be
strengthened; that disability perspectives be integrated
into all development policies and programmes; that
regional trade agreements should be drawn up for
a partnership market; that existing legislation
should be reviewed for discriminatory clauses and
that community-based rehabilitation be modeled on
the independent living concept which include peer
counseling. The group noted that support should
be given to the initiative for an international
convention to protect the rights and dignity of
persons with disabilities
(iii) Subregional Group on Southeast Asia
80. The sub-regional Group recognized, that a high
priority should be given to poverty alleviation
and its linkages with prevention of avoidable causes
of disabilities, particularly in rural areas.
81. The group suggested that the Meeting consider
the strengthening of the strategy in training and
employment, including self-employment; that public
awareness be included as a cross-cutting strategy
in all seven priority areas; that the priority area
access to information and communications, including
ICT be broadened to include assistive technology;
that the report of the High-level Intergovernmental
Meeting report include an encouragement to governments
to study the feasibility of establishing an ASEAN
Commission on Disability to support subregional
cooperation in the implementation of the Biwako
Millennium Framework.
82. The group noted that the Asia-Pacific Development
Center on Disability could also be valuable for
regional cooperation on the implementation of the
Biwako Millennium Framework.
83. The group discussed the issue of target-setting
at length. Some countries observed that the targets
would be difficult to achieve, but agreed that the
setting of targets was desirable as a means of monitoring
and assessing the achievement of the Biwako Millennium
Framework and to stimulate needed action in that
regard.
(iiii) Subregional Group on East and North East
Asia
84. The subregional group agreed that all of the
seven priority areas were common and important concerns
of the subregion as well as of the Asian and Pacific
region. The group recognized that each country must
contextualize and prioritize the areas for national
level implementation.
85. The group suggested to the Meeting that subregional
cooperation and collaboration was of utmost importance
because sharing of information and learning from
good practices within the subregion would enhance
country level implementation and in turn, advance
overall quality of life of persons with disabilities
in the subregion as a whole.
86. The group identified access to information
and communication technology as a useful area of
cooperation, especially in the exchange and transfer
of technology. Access to built environments and
public transport was identified as another good
area of cooperation. Countries such as Japan and
the Republic of Korea could share their good accessibility
practices with other countries.
87. Though not included in the seven priority areas,
subregional elaboration, discussion, research and
information sharing on development of a comprehensive
and integral international convention to promote
and protect the rights of persons with disabilities
was considered as another area of cooperation.
88. Poverty alleviation should be emphasized, given
the subregion has the largest number of disabled
persons in the Asian and Pacific region. Independent
living, support networks in the community, and the
employment of disabled persons should be promoted
to alleviate poverty.
III. ORGANIZATION OF THE MEETING
A. Background and Objectives
89. The High-level Intergovernmental Meeting to
Conclude the Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled
Persons, 1993-2002, was convened by the Economic
and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP)
in collaboration with concerned parties in the United
Nations system, in accordance with Commission resolution
54/1, and hosted by the Government of Japan and
the government of Shiga Prefecture.
90. The Meeting was held in pursuance of Commission
resolution 58/4 of 22 May 2002 on Promoting an inclusive,
barrier-free and rights-based society for people
with disabilities in the Asian and Pacific region
in the twenty-first century, adopted by the Commission
at its fifty-eighth session, in which the Commission
requested members and associate members to participate
actively in the High-level Intergovernmental Meeting,
with a view to review achievements in the implementation
of the Agenda for Action; to highlight best practices
in policy and programme development in the implementation
of the Agenda for Action in the ESCAP region, and
to consider and adopt a new framework for action
beyond the Decade, 1993-2002, to promote an inclusive,
barrier-free and rights-based society for people
with disabilities in the Asian and Pacific region.
B. Opening of the Meeting
91. The meeting was formally opened by Mr Kim Hak-Su,
Under-secretary General of the United Nations and
Executive Secretary of ESCAP. In his opening address,
Mr Kim welcomed the Distinguished Delegates and
outlined the agenda of the meeting. He also thanked
the Government of Japan for its sustained support
towards the implementation of the Decade goals and
for hosting the High-level Meeting. ESCAP reviews
had showed that since the inception of the Asian
and Pacific Decade, an overall improvement in all
twelve policy categories under the Agenda for Action
was evident, although achievements had been uneven.
There had been significant achievements in the areas
of national coordination, legislation and policy
development, and some improvement in the areas of
the prevention of causes of disability, rehabilitation
services, access to built environments and development
of self-help organizations of disabled persons.
However, a continuing and alarmingly low rate of
access to education for children and youth with
disabilities and marked subregional disparities
in the implementation of the Agenda for Action still
existed.
92. A welcoming address was delivered by His Excellency,
Mr. Yoshitsugu Kunimatsu, Governor of Shiga Prefecture.
In his address, Mr. Yoshitsugu Kunimatsu welcomed
the delegates to Shiga Prefecture and Otsu City.
He pointed to the unique historical tradition in
Shiga for ensuring an environment where persons
with disabilities can contribute to and benefit
from society. This tradition is represented in the
person of Kazuo Itoga in whose name and memory an
award is given each year to individuals who have
made outstanding contributions in the Asia Pacific
region.
93. The inaugural address of His Excellency, the
Prime Minister of Japan, Mr. Junichiro Koizumi was
delivered by His Excellency, Mr. Issei Anan, Parliamentary
Secretary, Cabinet Office, Government of Japan.
The Prime Minister welcomed the delegates to the
Meeting and assured the Government of Japan’s
continued commitment to the concerns of persons
with disabilities.
94. His Excellency, Mr. Tetsuro Yano, Senior Vice-Minister
for Foreign Affairs, in his welcome statement, recognized
the work of ESCAP during the Decade and highlighted
some initiatives in Japan. He stressed, however,
that more efforts had to be taken, especially in
the areas of education, job training, self-help
organizations, the protection of women with disabilities
and creating a barrier-free environment.
95. The High-level Intergovernmental Meeting to
Conclude the Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled
Persons, 1993-2002 expressed deepest appreciation
to the Government of Japan, Shiga Prefecture and
Otsu City for their generous support to and hosting
of the Meeting.
C. Attendance
96. The Meeting was attended by ministers and representatives
of the following ESCAP members and associate members:
Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia,
China, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Japan, Lao People’s
Democratic Republic, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar,
Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Republic of Korea,
Samoa, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Turkey, Vanuatu,
Viet Nam, Cook Islands and Hong Kong, China.
97. The following United Nations bodies and specialized
agencies were represented: International Labour
Organization (ILO), United Nations High Commissioner
for Human Rights (UNHCHR), United Nations Children’s
Fund (UNICEF), Food and Agriculture Organization
of the United Nations (FAO), United Nations Educational,
Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), and
the World Bank.
98. The following intergovernmental organization
was represented: Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat
(PIFS).
99. Many non-governmental organizations, including
those with consultative status with the Economic
and Social Council, and other organizations involved
with disability issues were represented at the meeting.
D. Election of officers
100. The Meeting elected H.E. Mr. Issei Anan (Japan)
as Chairperson; H.E. Mr Abdullah Wardak (Afghanistan),
H.E. Mr. Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mojaheed (Bangladesh),
H.E. Ms. Prak Chantha (Cambodia), H.E. Mr. Guo Jianmo
(China), H.E. Mr. Vaevaetaearoi Vaevae-Pare (Cook
Islands), H.E. Ms. Adi Asenaca Caucau Filipe (Fiji),
H.E. Dato’ Dr. Hajah Siti Zaharah binti Sulaiman,
(Malaysia), H.E. Mr. Jadambaa Rardan (Mongolia),
as Vice-Chairpersons, and Mr. Stephen Pang (Hong
Kong, China) as Rapporteur.
E. Adoption of the agenda
101. The Meeting adopted the following agenda:
1. Opening of the Meeting.
2. Election of officers.
3. Adoption of the agenda.
4. Review of achievements in the implementation
of the Agenda for action for the Asian and Pacific
Decade of Disabled Persons, 1993-2002
5. Highlights of the implementation of the Agenda
for Action for the Asian and Pacific Decade of disabled
Persons, 1993-2002
(a) Legislation and coordinating mechanisms on
disability matters;
(b) Education for children and youth with disabilities;
(c) Freedom of movement and independent living;
(d) Training and employment;
(e) Access to information and communications;
(f) Poverty alleviation and community participation
of rural persons with disabilities;
(g) Self-help organizations of persons with disabilities
and issues concerning women with disabilities.
6. Consideration of a regional framework for action
towards an inclusive, barrier-free and rights-based
society for persons with disabilities in Asia and
the Pacific.
7. Adoption of the report.
8. Closing of the Meeting.
F. Adoption of the Report
102. The Meeting adopted its report on 28 October
2002
