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THE SECRETARY-GENERAL
MESSAGE ON THE
INTERNATIONAL DAY OF DISABLED PERSONS
3 December 2007
This year's International Day of Disabled Persons focuses on the goal of decent work for persons with disabilities, and reminds us that every person deserves opportunities for productive employment in conditions of freedom, equity, security and human dignity.
Persons with disabilities are deprived of adequate employment opportunities in nearly every society. Estimates show that at least half of all disabled people in developed nations, and the vast majority of those with disabilities in developing countries, are unemployed. Most others are under-employed, or will never have full access to the labour market. This situation is deplorable.
Persons with disabilities have the ability to make valuable contributions in the workforce as employees, entrepreneurs and employers. But they face numerous barriers that prevent them from fulfilling their potential. Early in life, they encounter difficulties gaining access to an education or acquisition of employable skills. Later on, fears and prejudices about their abilities deny them the work opportunities available to others. Inaccessible workplaces, explicit and implicit discriminatory legislation and practices, and unfavourable work conditions pose additional hurdles.
Yet, whenever the opportunity arises, persons with disabilities prove their worth as productive members of the workforce. That is why more and more employers are slowly coming to the realization that employing persons with disabilities makes good sense. Changing workplace environments and advances in information and communications technologies are also giving persons with disabilities new avenues for seeking decent work.
Most States do not have legislation protecting persons with disabilities in the workplace. The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which is expected to enter into force early next year, recognizes the rights of persons with disabilities to work and employment on an equal basis with others. It stresses their right to earn a living from freely chosen work, and to work in an environment that is both accessible and accepting.
On this International Day, let us reaffirm our commitment to seeking equal rights for all, and let us pledge to ensure the full participation of persons with disabilities in the lives of their communities.
Read more on the U.N. site
Message of the UN Special Rapporteur
on Disability of the Commission for Social Development
2007 International Day of Disabled Persons
I am pleased to be able to at least contribute a few words to the celebration of International Disability Day. On this occasion I would like to extend my congratulating, first and foremost, to persons with disabilities themselves, their representative organizations, and the leaders of the international disability movement and disability rights activists everywhere.
I would also like to acknowledge those pioneering countries who stepped up to sign the International Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities on March 30, 2007, sending a message to the rest of the world, that they are ready to adopt the set of principles and values aimed at promoting, preserving and protecting the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities.
The Convention is the embodiment of the highest universal values which all of us who believe in rights and equality aspire to see implemented everywhere.
The theme of International Disability Day this year is "The Right to Decent Work for Persons with Disabilities"-a right to which we all aspire. A right which many people take for granted.
Work, whether in the open labour market or in self-employment, is the true realization of the right of persons with disabilities to participate fully and contribute to the development of their societies and communities.
To enable persons with disabilities to fully exercise the right to work and employment, we need to restructure our own societies in all their aspects to integrate persons with disabilities. We need to change our own mind sets to make use of the potentials and contributions of persons with disabilities that are much needed in all societies.
I wish you a successful celebration and hope that by this time next year, all Member States would have become State Parties to the Convention and would have ratified both the Convention and its Optional Protocol.
Hissa Al Thani
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