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TWGDC - First Session, 11 December 2000, Bangkok, UNCC

THEMATIC WORKING GROUP ON DISABILITY-RELATED CONCERNS (TWGDC) SDD/SPIDGS/DEC/TWGDRC
ENGLISH ONLY
1st session
11 December 2000

United Nations Conference Centre
Bangkok
PROVISIONAL AGENDA


  1. Review and adoption of draft terms of reference (TOR) of the Thematic Working Group on Disability-related Concerns.

    (a)   Activities

    (b)   Responsibilities

    (c)   Time-frame

    (d)   Adoption

  2. Other matters



SDD/SPIDGS/TWG/REP
31 January 2001

Minutes of the first session of the
Thematic Working Group on Disability-related Concerns
(TWGDC)

Date:     Monday, 11 December 2000, 0900 - 1600 hrs

Place:    United Nations Conference Centre, Room 'H'

The first session of the Thematic Working Group on Disability-related Concerns (TWGDC) was chaired by Ms Lim-Kim-Lan (ESCAP), and co-chaired by Mr Wim Polman (FAO). The meeting was called to review and adopt the draft Terms of Reference of the Thematic Working Group on Disability-related Concerns (TWGDC).

The session was attended by 10 representatives from four UN bodies and specialized agencies, 38 NGO and six governmental bodies. Most participants were also attending the Campaign 2000 on the Asia and Pacific Decade of Disabled persons, which was being held from 11 - 15 December 2000. The Thematic Working Group had collaborated in the organization of Campaign 2000.

Ms Lim briefed members on the changed structure of the regional coordination mechanism, and drew their attention to the fact that the specific targets set by the TWGDC in accordance with its objectives and functions, must be achievable within an 18-24 month time-frame. Ms Lim emphasized that this time-frame coincided with the conclusion of the Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons, in 2002, and that the urgent task of the group was to identify the significant activities for collaboration in fulfillment of the Decade Agenda for Action. Ms Lim noted that the first session of the TWGDC was being held in conjunction with Campaign 2000 for the Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons, 1993-2002, and that there was a close inter-relationship between the objectives of Campaign 2000 and the purpose of the Thematic Working Group on Disability-related Concerns.

Ms Lim expressed her deep appreciation to Ms San Yuenwah for her invaluable contribution to the work of the RICAP Subcommittee on Disability-related Concerns, and acknowledged her significant contribution to the achievements of the Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons, 1993-2002. A further tribute was paid to Ms San by members of the RICAP Subcommittee on Disability-related Concerns.

The agenda for the session was adopted, and the draft Terms of Reference circulated. The chair thanked members who had submitted recommendations for amendments to the earlier draft Terms of Reference, and those who had offered to act as co-Chair. The draft Terms of Reference were reviewed by the members and adopted.
(See final TOR, together with its Targets-Action focus till 2002 (Annex 1) and the List of member organizations (Annex 2), attached).

It was agreed that the detailed targets or action focus of the Thematic Working Group would form an annex to the Terms of Reference. The revised Terms of Reference would be submitted to the next Heads of Agency Meeting (HOAM).

It was clarified that membership was based on that of the RICAP Subcommittee on Disability-related Concerns which had been very active. Organizations must fund their own attendance, be action oriented, and prepared to contribute both resources and expertise.

Discussion was held on the core methodology for achieving the specified targets of the TWGDC. The importance of communication between the NGO networks and Government within each country was emphasized, in order to ensure that disability-related issues are raised at country offices at Ministerial level at United Nations' meetings. Members were advised to use the UNDP to facilitate interaction, and to advocate for the inclusion of disability issues in the strategic agenda of development agencies.

The critical issue of universal design and universal access in the area of information and communication technology (ICT) was raised, and the links between ICT, globalization and poverty discussed in relation to the rights and needs of people with disability, including those with intellectual disability, with an emphasis on the need for capacity building at the local level.

Information was provided with regard to the status of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICIDH-2), in the final stages of revision, and due for international release at the General Assembly of WHO, May 2001. The ICIDH-2 provides neutral common language concepts and terminology for use in describing disability and functioning of people with disability, and will be a useful tool for disability policy, statistics, and direct intervention. The meeting urged that each member government of ESCAP take immediate action to translate, disseminate and use the ICIDH-2 framework, after it has received official approval by WHO in May 2001.

Four Task Groups were formed to determine and implement necessary action to strengthen access to : (i) ICT, (ii) the development of entrepreneurial training and activity, (iii) education for persons with disability in the Asian and Pacific region, and (iv) strengthening aid programmes to address the linkage of poverty and disability.