Stuart Knowles Chair

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International Relations Working Group
Stuart Knowles Chair Frank Flannery Angela
Kerrins Hans Vrind Toro Skedsmo Antonio
Pedrosa Larry Rosser John Durand Alain Rialland
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The proposal for a UN Convention on the Rights of
Persons with Disabilities-report on the 2nd UN Ad
Hoc Committee Meeting, June 2003
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OBJECTIVES

• To work in partnership with
• a range of international bodies
• and authorities
• Breaking down barriers
• Preventing people with disabilities
  from becoming economically active
• at participating in the workforce

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Through contact Involvement with

• through contact and involvement with
• ILO
• UN economic and Social Council
• International organisations representing
  persons with disabilities
• International organisations of employers

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Standard Rules

• Represent a strong moral and political
• commitment of Governments to
• take action.
• 22 rules summarizing the message
• of the World Programme of Action

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United Nations

• Committed to advance the status
• of disabled persons
• Discrimination is a silent crisis
• Half a billion person are disabled
• as a result of mental, physical or
• sensory impairment

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UN Special Rappateur, Ms Hessa Al-Thani From
Qatar
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Outcomes from 2nd Ad Hoc Meeting Working group
meeting January 2004

• 27 Government representatives
• 12 representatives of NGOs
• Drafting a convention on rights of persons
• with disabilities
• First occasion that NGOs sit alongside
• government
• Welcome and supported call for UN convention

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Workability International attending the United
Nations
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International Disability Alliance

• Established Cape Town in 1999
• Aim to strengthen the voice of people
• with disabilities
• Aimed at International level
• Network and collaborate on common
• issues
• Alliance of major worldwide organisations
• Members include Disabled Peoples
• International Inclusion InternationalWorld
  Blind Union World Federation of the Deaf

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Observation and future Actions

• UN convention basis for equalisation
  for Education, Training, employment in all
  countries
• Governments introduce legislation and financial
  support for persons with disabilities
• Trade unions and organisations rarely create or
  provide employment opportunities

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Actions

• Information sent to contacts relating to
  Workability International
• Positive response from IDA and UN Special
  Rapporteur on Disability
• Contact made with International Organisation
  Employers
• Relationship strengthened with ILO
• Joint Capability Building project commences
  Autumn 2003
• Workability International becomes member of
  Congo-the conference of NGOs

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Conclusion

• The first steps as a serious international
  player improving the employment opportunities and
  human rights issues for disabled people across
  the world
• Next steps to build on contacts made extend the
  membership of Workability International to
  regions of Africa and the Middle East.
• Workability International members to identify and
  develop relationships with delegates from own
  countries to the United Nations and ILO

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Conclusion

• Identify position and policies applied by own
  Government, in relationship to specific UN and
  ILO activities in areas of employment and work
  activities for people with disabilities.
• Workability International is worlds largest
  body.
• More than 1 ½ million person are engaged in work
  programmes by over 55 organisation in 28
  countries
•