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Organisation aims and activities: Disabled Peoples' International is people helping people help themselves. It's philosophy is that people with disabilities should achieve full participation and equality with their fellow citizens in every society.

Further details: A major goal of Disabled Peoples' International is the full participation of all disabled people in the mainstream of life, particularly those in developing countries, who form the vast majority of the world's 500 million disabled people. DPI recognizes that poverty not only leads to disability, but also allows few concessions for the needs and aspirations of disabled people. In many rural areas, where up to 80 per cent of the general population lives, disability prevention and rehabilitation are rare. People with disabilities are often rejected or hidden away as an evil family secret. Hence, DPI's goal of full participation is a goal of gigantic proportions, but one that has already been proven possible. Through its self-help development programs and projects worldwide, DPI has sought, and achieved, a considerable increase in the participation of disabled people in their own social and economic development, as well as in that of their home countries. Today, the DPI cross-disability network has approximately 120 national members, over half of whom are in developing nations. Any organization controlled by disabled people can be a member of the national assembly of that country. DPI ensures equal representation of its members through a decentralized "regional" structure, which also facilitates leadership and strategy development at the local level. Through DPI, the voice of disabled people everywhere has already made a significant impact, not only in regards to disability concerns, but also on issues of justice, human rights, peace and international development. The benefit is shared by everyone. Among the current achievements and activities of DPI: Consultative status with the United Nation's Economic and Social Council, the World Health Organization and the special list of the International Labor Organization. DPI worked closely with the United Nations to develop the UN World Program of Action Concerning Disabled Persons. This collaboration continued throughout the UN Decade of Disabled Persons, 1983-92, as DPI and UN agencies attempted to implement shared principles of self- determination, full participation and equalization of opportunity for disabled persons. DPI was a major player in the development of the UN Standard Rules for Equalization of Opportunities for Disabled Persons, and in the initiation of the ESCAP Asia-Pacific Regional Decade of Disabled Persons. In November, 1993, DPI representatives attended the UN International Year of the Family preparatory meeting of NGOs in Valeta, Malta, and participated. DPI organized a workshop at this event and developed a set of recommendations. DPI was a strong participant in the UN Global Environmental Conference in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In 1994 DPI participated in the UN Social Summit in Denmark. DPI representatives attended the UN Fourth International Conference on Women in Beijing, China in 1995. In October, 1992, then chair of DPI Joshua Malinga addressed the United Nations General Assembly on the closing of the UN Decade of Disabled People. DPI received a testimonial for "Dedicated Service" from the UN Secretary General in 1987. DPI was able to get the UN Human Rights Commission to appoint a rapporteur to conduct an international study on the violation of the human rights of disabled people. In 1984, in conjunction with non- governmental organizations, DPI was successful in getting the International Labor Organization to adopt a convention on employment and rehabilitation. DPI holds a major World Assembly in a different host country every four years, where the activities of the organization are planned and reviewed in the context of the global situation of disabled people. In 1982, DPI undertook a major peace initiative. During its second World Council Meeting in Tokyo, Japan, DPI's Peace Statement was read out at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. DPI works continuously to increase the equalization of opportunity and general participation of disabled women within its own structure and around the world. DPI has stimulated the development of organizations of disabled people in many parts of the world. As a result, DPI's membership has increased from under 50 to well over 100 countries. DPI has carried out over 100 leadership training programs since its inception. DPI has provided technical assistance and consultation to member organizations in developing training programs, technical aids factories and income generating projects. DPI has regional offices on every continent, representing all parts of the world.

Operational level: International

Organisation type: NGO - non governmental organisation

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Last updated 03/05/2001 12:18:38

CRIN does not accredit or validate any of the organisations listed in our directory. The views and activities of the listed organisations do not necessarily reflect the views or activities of CRIN's coordination team.

Disabled People's International (DPI)