ILO 2015 -- Decent Work Report(Third Edition)
Introduction
This publication originated in 2003 as an ILO contribution to deliberations then taking place in preparation for the development of the United Nations (UN) Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). By examining the development over time of the ‘right to work’ of persons with disabilities,1 how this matter has been dealt with in international instruments and national legislation to date, and experience around the world in promoting employment and work opportunities, the working paper enabled those involved in the preparation of the proposed CRPD to build on earlier achievements.
1 The terms “persons with disabilities” and “disabled persons” are used interchangeably throughout this book, reflecting accepted usage in different countries of the world.
The UN General Assembly adopted the CRPD on 13 December 2006 and it entered into force less than two years later, in May 2008. It has since been ratified by over two thirds of UN States and the UN Secretary General has called for universal ratification. In view of the considerable interest generated by the working paper and its relevance to States Parties as they moved to implement the provisions of the CRPD, the ILO published an updated version in 2007, and is issuing this further edition now, to take account, not only of the CRPD, but also of other major developments in this field in countries around the world since 2003.
A summary overview of the principal international legal instruments and policy of relevance to the rights of people with disabilities, with a particular focus on employment and work, is given at the outset. This is followed, in Chapter 1, by a more detailed description of international instruments, policies and initiatives, including reference to the debates which have taken place about their effectiveness in practice.
In Chapter 2, the focus is on the different options open to people with disabilities who wish to work in open/competitive employment, sheltered employment, supported employment and social enterprises. The chapter examines available evidence on the trends in each of these categories and highlights the key issues faced in each case.
Chapter 3 deals with the main approaches which have been adopted at national level to assist people with disabilities in securing, retaining and advancing in employment and work, including legislation; employment services; training for employment; disability management; financial, technical and personal supports; and persuasion measures. The chapter also touches on the processes of consultation, information gathering, monitoring and evaluation which are essential elements of effective policies.
Chapter 4 reviews key areas which still require attention, in spite of the range of measures introduced at international, regional and national levels to improve employment opportunities for people with disabilities. The chapter suggests ways in which progress might be made in these areas, and proposes an agenda for action required in order to implement the CRPD’s provisions on work and employment.
Annex 1 gives a historical flavour to the book, by tracing the development of work and employment opportunities for persons with disabilities in different industrialized countries in the early twentieth century. Annex 2 contains definitions of the key terms used.