United Nations Conference Centre
Bangkok

1. Welcome
2. Adoption of the Agenda
   
3. Confirmation of Minutes of the first session of the Thematic Working Group on Disability-related Concerns, held 11 December 2000
   
4. Matters arising from the Minutes
   
5. Review of Targets - Action focus till 2002 and Task Forces
   
6. Case studies of good practice
   
7. Other matters

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

Date:     Thursday 10 and Friday 11 May 2001, 09.00 - 17.00 hrs

Place:    United Nations Conference Centre, Room 'G'

Opening of the Meeting

The second session of the Thematic Working Group on Disability-related Concerns (TWGDC) was chaired by Ms Jacqueline Desbarats (ESCAP), and co-chaired by Mr Joseph Kwok (RI).

The session was attended by nine representatives from four United Nations bodies and specialized agencies, 24 representatives from 17 NGOs, representatives from seven governmental bodies, and five observers. Apologies were received from three UN bodies, 10 NGO and one INGO, one Inter-governmental agency, three governmental bodies and one observer.

Ms Lim Kim-Lan, Director Social Development Division, welcomed members and expressed her appreciation of their commitment, and that of the organizations which they represented, to the work of the TWGDC. Ms Lim reported that the Terms of Reference of the TWGDC as adopted at the first session on 11 December 2000, had been submitted to the Heads of Agency Meeting (HOAM) and was very well received by the HOAM. Ms Lim referred to the limited time frame of the TWGDC, and to the close alignment of its objectives with those of the Agenda for Action of the Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons. She recalled that the first session had set up specific Task Force Groups to facilitate the achievement of the many target areas identified for action by TWGDC. These included the promotion of access to:

• Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
• Entrepreneurial training, small business and income generation activity and development
• Education for All Children and Youth with Disabilities (EFA)

Another possible focus concerned the linkage between poverty and disability, and advocating the strengthening of aid programmes to address this issue. The assumption of leadership roles by some members in these task forces would ensure continued collaborative action, after this session ends, towards the goal of achieving identified outcomes within a specified period of time.

Ms Lim concluded by reiterating that members of TWGDC had a critical role to play to sustain the momentum towards the fulfillment of the Decade goals of enhancing the equalization of opportunities for people with disabilities, and their increasing inclusion in the development process. Ms Lim assured the TWGDC of the continuing support of ESCAP in this endeavour.

Adoption of the provisional agenda, and minutes of the first session of TWGDC.

The agenda for the session was adopted and the Minutes of the meeting of the first session of the TWGDC, held 11 December 2000, confirmed, with one correction. Notice of a Regional Workshop on Victim Assistance in the Framework of the Mine Ban Treaty, South East Asia, to be held in Thailand, 6-8 November 2001, had been omitted from the Minutes of the first session. There were no matters arising from the Minutes.

Review of Targets - Action focus till 2002.

In relation to Target 1(a) it was reported that at the fifty-seventh session of ESCAP, held in Bangkok from 19 to 25 April 2001, the Government of Japan had expressed its intention to host the high-level intergovernmental meeting to conclude the Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons, in Shiga Prefecture, Japan, in conjunction with other disability-related international meetings in Japan in October 2002. These would include the sixth World Congress of Disabled Peoples' International (15-18 October 2002, Sapporo, Japan), the Regional Assembly of Rehabilitation International (19-20 October 2002, Osaka, Japan), and the Campaign 2002 for the Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons, (21-23 October 2002, Osaka, Japan).

It was agreed that the task of the TWGDC was to contribute to the high-level inter-governmental meeting, by assisting governments in the ESCAP region in facilitating the process by which they would:

1. Review achievements of the Targets for the Implementation of the Agenda for Action for the Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons, 1993-2002, and
2. Consider a framework for action beyond the end of the Decade which would conclude in 2002.

In relation to Targets 1(b) and (1c) it was agreed that the TWGDC would actively assist and encourage non-signatory countries and territories, and inactive countries which were signatory to the proclamation on the full participation and equality of people with disabilities in the Asian and Pacific Region, to become more actively involved in Decade activities, and to participate in the evaluation process, particularly in the formulation of a framework for action beyond the conclusion of the current Decade in 2002.

In relation to Targets 2 and 3, ESCAP reported that it planned to conduct a survey, by means of questionnaires, on progress made in the implementation of the Agenda for Action of the Asian and Pacific Decade for Disabled Persons. The result of the survey would be presented at Campaign 2001 in Hanoi in December 2001. It was recommended that a working group be established to propose the format for the evaluation of the achievements of the Decade and the process by which it would be undertaken, including the procedures for initiating in-country meetings with full collaboration between government, NGOs, organizations of disabled persons, and other concerned partners. It was also recommended that a request be made to the UNDP Inter-agency Support Unit to facilitate the evaluation process at in-country level, including hosting in-country meetings to assess the achievements of the Decade.

It was agreed that a request be made to WHO to chair "Vision 2020-the Right to Sight", and that aggressive intervention be made to strengthen the inclusion of children with disabilities in the follow-up action to the Dakar Framework for Action on Education for All (EFA), and in the document "A World Fit for Children", currently in the final stages of preparation for presentation at the United Nations General Assembly Special Session on follow-up to the World Summit for Children, to be held in New York (19-21 September 2001).

In relation to Target 4 it was reported that only eight case studies of best practice had been submitted, and that five target areas including national coordination, legislation, accessibility and communication, assistive devices, self-help organizations and regional cooperation had not been addressed. Members were advised that the dead line for submission of Case Studies had been extended to 30 June 2001. Offers of case studies were willingly accepted from the following: Government of India (National coordination, Legislation, Education, and Assistive devices); Government of Hong Kong, China (Legislation); Centre for Disability in Development, Bangladesh (Legislation); Government of Bhutan (Accessibility and communication, Prevention of causes of disability and rehabilitation); FAO (Training and employment), Cambodia Trust (Assistive devices); DPI Asia-Pacific Regional Council (Self-help organizations).

In relation to Targets 5 and 6 it was reported that a Regional Network of Women with Disabilities had been formed during Campaign 2000 held in Bangkok, and that this group would provide active input into Campaign 2001. It was also reported that a women's group had been formed in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).

It was recommended that a symbolic activity, reflecting the dignity and solidarity of persons with disabilities, and their supporters, should be staged at the high-level inter-governmental meeting to be held in Japan to mark the end of the Decade in October 2002. The need to mobilize funds to support governmental representation at the high level inter-governmental meeting was raised, and a recommendation made that funds be sought to assist governments which had difficulty in meeting the costs of participation.

Three task forces on (1) Information and Communication technology (ICT); (2) Entrepreneurial training, small business and income generation activity and development; and (3) Education of all children and youth with disabilities held meetings and reported the outcome of their discussions and action plans to the members (see Annex 1). The Japanese Society for Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities (JSRPD) agreed to establish a list serve under its website for each task force to promote free discussion among task force members.

Other Matters:

(a)    East Timor

It was recommended that the TWGDC advocate strongly for the inclusion of disability concerns in the national development plan that might be prepared by a newly established East Timor government. It was agreed that an informal network be formed among TWGDC members to exchange information concerning the plans and programmes for the development of persons with disabilities in East Timor, with a view to avoiding a piece-meal approach and promoting a comprehensive and coordinated approach to disability development issues in East Timor. Disabled Peoples International Asia Pacific Regional Council, Cambodia Trust, CBM international, World Blind Union and other organizations showed a keen interest in joining the informal network on East Timor. JSRPD offered to develop a list serve for the informal network.

(b)    Asian Development Bank (ADB)

It was reported that ADB would implement shortly a project on regional technical assistance for disability and poverty reduction inter alia to provide greater understanding of how to address disability needs and include them as a part of operationalizing the ADB's poverty reduction strategy, and to prepare disability checklists for ADB. The TWGDC strongly supported the need to include the issue of disability prominently in poverty reduction projects by the ADB. Advocacy had been taken on this issue by DPI, and it was recommended that further action be taken by the TWGDC. In this connection, it was strongly recommended that intensive advocacy was necessary to ensure that disability issues be closely linked to the major social development mandates, such as poverty alleviation, since disabled persons were among the poorest of the poor.

(C)    Campaign 2001 for the Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons

A representative of the Campaign 2001 Organizing Committee reported on preparations for Campaign 2001, to be held in Hanoi, from 10 to 15 December 2001. A request was made to the Organizing Committee to have the third session of the TWGDC scheduled from 10.00 to16.00 hours on10 December 2001, as part of Campaign 2001 in Hanoi.

(d)    United Nations Resident Coordinator (UNRC)

A presentation was made to the TWGDC by Mr Apichai Sunchindah, Manager of the Inter Agency Support Unit, United Nations Resident Coordinator (UNRC) on the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF). TWGDC expressed strong concern of the need for disability to be included as a long term development issue in the country development assistance framework planning between Government and UN development agencies, and at sub-regional and regional level. Follow up to the World Summit for Social Development had reflected the concern with priority goals of poverty reduction, improving social integration and employment expansion. Focus on vulnerable groups necessitated action to promote equality of opportunity for persons with disabilities, in accordance with the Agenda for Action for the Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons, 1993-2002. The TWGDC expressed the intention of requesting UNRC to place the issue of disability related concerns on the agenda of the countries in the region. It was recommended that this intent be followed with a formal letter expressing the collective view of the TWGDC, and requesting that follow-up action be taken accordingly.

It was also strongly recommended that it was incumbent on all members of the TWGDC to take action on this issue, and to take every opportunity to ensure that disability related concerns are included in all development policy, planning, and activity at every level, from local to national, sub-regional and regional.

(e)    Asian Pacific Centre on Disability

TWGDC recommended that a strong link with United Nations agencies be established for the operation of regional activities within the Asian and Pacific Center on Disability. The establishment of the Centre was foreshadowed in the Bangkok Millennium Declaration on the Promotion of the Rights of People with Disabilities in the Asian and Pacific Region, adopted by Campaign 2000 for the Asian Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons, on 14 December 2000, in Bangkok. The Centre would be established in Thailand as a legacy of the Decade.

(f)    Regional NGO Network

A tentative programme of the International Forum on Disabilities, which included a series of international meetings, to mark the end year of the Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons in Japan in October 2002 was presented by the Regional NGO Network for the Promotion of the Asian and Pacific Decade of Persons with Disabilities (RNN) , with the main theme of "Partnership for Disability Rights". It was reported that a finalized version would be presented at Campaign 2001 in Hanoi, December 2001.

(g)    Disabled Peoples International

A proposal for a new Decade, the "Asia Pacific Movement for Freedom from Barriers, 2003-2012", was presented by Disabled Peoples International Asia Pacific Regional Council, and a request made for input, comments and suggestions. It was agreed that a revised proposal be presented to the third session of the TWGDC, in Hanoi in December 2001.

(h)    World Health Organization

In the World Health Day message of the World Health Organization, 7 April 2001, it was noted that mental retardation was inaccurately and inappropriately included within the context of mental disorders. It was strongly recommended that the TWGDC express its extreme concern on this issue to WHO. A further instance of discrimination against persons with intellectual disability was reported within the context of sporting events.

(i)    Inclusion International

A report was presented by Inclusion International Asia Pacific Branch on the 'Disability in the Pacific Study', held in Fiji in April 2001, attended by Australia, Cook Islands, Fiji, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga and Vanuatu, with ESCAP representation. Results indicated that disability was a low priority with governments, services were limited to urban areas with few exceptions, and that strong extended family networks had relieved governments of responsibility. Opportunities for persons with disabilities were limited, and their capacities under-estimated and under-utilised. Active participation in the Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons had been limited by cost and distance. A Pacific Disability Development Network was established. It was strongly recommended that there be a Pacific section in the Asian and Pacific Center on Disability, to be established in Thailand.

(j)    India

Information on the production of low cost assistive devices was presented by the Government of India, and notice given of an Exhibition on Assistive Devices, Teaching Kits, Learning Material and Barrier-free Features (West Bengal, India, 5-9 August 2001). It was strongly recommended that information on barrier free resources and linkages be shared within the region by means of ICT, and that the issue of progress towards measurable standards in developing countries be monitored.

Information was presented on the development of appropriate prosthetic technology for developing countries, and reference made to two conferences which had been held on this topic, one in Phnom Penh in 1995, with follow-up in Tanzania in September 2000. Further information on this topic would be made available on the TWGDC web page, currently being developed.

(k)    Cambodia

The Disability Action Council of Cambodia presented a report on a Workshop held in Phnom Penh on the implementation of the United Nations Standard Rules on the Equalization of Opportunities for People with Disabilities.

(l)    JSRPD

JSRPD informed the members that it was in the process of developing a web page for the TWGDC on JSRPD and ESCAP Decade websites, and had sent a questionnaire to each member organization, to be completed and returned. The TWGDC welcomed Mr Hisao Chiba who had been seconded to ESCAP Disability Programme as Disability ICT expert from JSRPD for a two-year period until the end of 2002 to work on this project.

(m)    FAO

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) informed the membership that the Bangkok offices of the FAO would be barrier-free by end 2001.

(n)    Videotapes

Three videotapes were screened for members. These included "Empowering the Rural Disabled", and "Mushroom Cultivation for People with Disabilities in Thailand", presented by FAO. The third videotape was titled "Charting One's Own Life", which was produced as part of the Thai Government application for the Franklin Delano Roosevelt International Disability Award. Thailand won the International Disability Award for 2000. All videotapes were warmly appreciated by members.

Ms Lim closed the third session of the TWGDC at 16.45.