Targets and Recommendations for Implementation of the Agenda for Action

7. TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT

Critical Issues

People with disabilities in the Asian and Pacific region have a very limited range of training and employment opportunities. Moreover, existing vocational training programmes are usually not linked to the demands of the job market. Once in a job, people with disabilities have less opportunity for further learning and career development. Few incentives exist for encouraging employers to hire people with disabilities or to compensate them for the eventual costs of making a workplace accessible. Women with disabilities are further disadvantaged as traditional role models hinder their entry into the job market.

In developing countries of the ESCAP region, whose labour markets are characterized by the dominance of the informal sector, people with disabilities suffer from limited access to credit. Thus they face additional obstacles to making a living. Furthermore, existing support services for informal sector operators or rural areas are often unaware of and therefore not responsive to the needs of people with disabilities.

In the rapidly changing economic scenario of the ESCAP region, there is a danger that employment opportunities for people with disabilities will further be limited if steps are not taken to match vocational training with job markets.

Targets
7.1 Strengthening, by 1997, of modalities identified by the Asia-Pacific Skills Development Programme to promote the integration of persons with disabilities, with due attention to gender equity, into mainstream vocational training schemes.

7.2 Development and strengthening, by 1998, of curricula and support services (physically accessible training sites and equipment, Braille texts for blind persons, and sign language interpreters for deaf persons) to enable persons with disabilities to participate fully in regular pre-vocational and vocational training programmes leading to gainful employment.

7.3 Formulation, by 1997, of a Government policy to promote achievement of the national targets set for the placement and promotion of persons with disabilities in the public sector, such as through a quota system.

7.4 Setting up, by 1996, of a mechanism for phased and ongoing identification of new employment opportunities in the formal and informal sectors, and training to use those opportunities for paid and self-employment of people with diverse disabilities.

7.5 Establishment, by 1997, of annual training and job placement targets that are gender-equitable for people with disabilities, for joint action by ministries responsible for employment, human resources development, rural employment and development, urban development and other relevant areas, as well as employers' and workers' organizations.

7.6 Establishment, by 1998, of production centres that employ people with extensive disabilities and those who require a supportive environment.

7.7 Full participation, by 2000, of persons with disabilities in all schemes of assistance to engage in informal income-generation and self-employment in the rural and urban sectors.

7.8 Provision, by 2000, of appropriate training and employment opportunities for people with extensive disabilities.

7.9 Introduction, by 1997, of a national scheme for giving soft loans and support services for marketing, including entrepreneurial skills development, to low-income persons with disabilities to assist them in competing in the open market.

Recommendations
Governments may:
(1) Establish a NCC working group composed of relevant ministries and agencies, organizations of and for people with disabilities, as well as workers' and employers' organizations, to identify obstacles that people with disabilities face in vocational training and employment and to recommend appropriate tools to equalize their opportunities in the job market.

(2) Examine existing training schemes to identify the extent to which they are geared towards the present and future demands of the labour market.

(3) Introduce a scheme of annual national awards to give public recognition to the achievements of employers, NGOs and other relevant organizations in providing quality vocational training and employment for people with disabilities.

(4) Develop individualized vocational guidance services to enable persons with disabilities to make informed choices from among several training and/or employment options which are in line with their personal interests, and to facilitate their transition from school to adult life.

(5) Develop or strengthen existing placement services which, together with the above-mentioned guidance services, will create links between job applicants with disabilities and potential employers.

(6) Establish a regular exchange of information of vocational training and employment of people with disabilities, with particular focus on appropriate adaptations of job-sites; the exchange may include, but not be limited to, government agencies and organizations of and for people with disabilities.

(7) Consider ratification of ILO Convention No. 159; Convention Concerning Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Disabled Persons) and review national law and practice to examine compliance with the Convention.

(8) Issue directives to all their departments, agencies, institutions and corporations to develop and strengthen measures aimed at promoting the employment of persons with disabilities in the public sector.

8. PREVENTION OF CAUSES OF DISABILITY and
9. REHABILITATION (health and social development)

Critical issues

The majority of people with disabilities living in the rural areas and slums of the Asian and Pacific region do not have access to any form of rehabilitation services, particularly when access is considered in terms of time, cost and availability.

Good data are required if disability issues are to be accorded high priority by governments for resource allocation and programme development. However, data on disability are limited largely because the problems concerning the collection of data have not yet been resolved.

There is also a lack of information materials, as well as training tools and programmes on disability issues for personnel involved in diverse development sectors, e.g., health, social development, education, rural development, urban management and NGOs. This seriously limits the development of service provision, including through community-based rehabilitation.

Policies and programmes in diverse sectors need to be strengthened to support community-based rehabilitation as an approach to the delivery of appropriate health, educational, vocational and social services involving the combined efforts of people with disabilities, as well as their families and communities.

Targets
8 Prevention of causes of disability
8.1 Identification, by 1996, of the major factors, including gender-sensitive demographic data, associated with the five most prevalent preventable causes of disability.

8.2 Initiation, by 1997, of public education campaigns directed at the prevention of the five most prevalent preventable causes of disability, which reduce negative perceptions of people with disabilities and undermine their right to live.

8.3 Elimination, by 2000, of iodine deficiency, vitamin A deficiency and leprosy as major public health problems.

8.4 Achievement, by 2002, of a minimum 50 per cent reduction in the incidence of three other preventable causes of disability, without neglecting good disability prevention efforts that may already be under way.

8.5 Formally join, by 1997, the international campaign to ban the production, use and sale of anti-personnel land mines.

8.6 Mount an immediate campaign to prohibit the manufacture and sale of laser weapons whose sole purpose is to cause total blindness.

8.7 Immediate recognition that good and safe design and use of the built environment and equipment, as well as the compulsory use of personal protective equipment, are major factors in the reduction of injury-caused disabilities.

9 Rehabilitation services (community-based rehabilitation)
9.1 Inclusion, by 1996, of persons with disabilities and their families, in particular women, as active participants in the formulation of CBR strategies and in the implementation of government and NGO programmes and projects on CBR.

9.2 Convene in 1996 a conference on CBR involving concerned government ministries and departments, and NGOs, including self-help organizations of people with disabilities, to discuss a national CBR strategy.

9.3 Development, by 1997, of a national CBR strategy which will include training in CBR management so as to provide a framework for action and support for programmes with a special focus on rural and slum communities.

9.4 Inclusion, by 1997, of both men and women with disabilities in CBR training, that includes gender-sensitive material, as managers, trainers, supervisors, field workers and volunteers.

9.5 Integration, by 2000, of disability issues, including those which specifically concern women with disabilities, into mainstream programmes, especially those for health, communications, housing, human resources development, labour, transport and rural and urban development.

Health and social development
9.6 Identification and coordination, by 1997, of all government and NGO rehabilitation services as a basis for action to strengthen and develop these services as support for CBR programmes.

9.7 Inclusion, by 2000, of disability, equalization of opportunity issues, and positive attitudes towards people with disabilities in the curricula and training of medical doctors, social workers, nurses, teachers, as well as all other personnel working in health and social development.

9.8 Inclusion, by 2000, of rehabilitation services in all primary health care

programmes and projects, as underlined in the Alma Ata Declaration on Primary Health Care, 1978, for support of CBR programmes.

Recommendations
(1) A common CBR strategy may be adopted throughout the Asian and Pacific region that emphasizes the development of communities with the participation of persons with disabilities, their families and community members, so that the communities, with government and NGO support, can assume responsibility for the social, vocational, economic and physical enablement of people with disabilities to reach their optimal levels of functioning.

(2) Minimal levels of data shall be collected by all countries using standard terminology in accordance with the WHO International Classification of Impairment, Disability and Handicap.

(3) All government agencies and NGOs working on disability issues shall collaborate and coordinate with each other to support the development of entire communities.

10. ASSISTIVE DEVICES

Critical issues

The lack of assistive devices prevents the majority of people with disabilities in rural areas from participating fully in community activities. There is a great need for low-cost and high-quality assistive devices that are suitable for local conditions.

Persons with disabilities, particularly those in the rural areas, are not aware of the full range of assistive devices that are available, their functions and costs, as well as the opportunities that they open up. The limited supply of affordable appropriate devices and the lack of awareness of the devices means that few are able to benefit from the devices. Furthermore, there is considerable duplication of effort in terms of development of assistive devices, as there is little communication among NGOs and the public sector corporations which produce assistive devices.

Duties and taxes on assistive devices constitute a very small portion of the income for Governments, but are a heavy burden on persons with disabilities. The imposition of duty on assistive devices hinders its cross-border distribution and the expansion of the market for these devices. There are some assistive devices for disabled persons which are also useful for elderly persons and convenient for non-disabled persons. At present, individuals and NGOs experience great difficulty and delay in clearing such goods through customs.

Targets
10.1 Establishment, by 1998, of national criteria and a subsidy scheme to provide assistive devices as well as repair and maintenance services to all disabled persons who meet the criteria, with due attention to the needs of women and girls with disabilities.

10.2 Exemption, by 1998, of customs and other duties on the import of assistive devices, as well as components, materials and equipment for their production, repair and maintenance.

10.3 Simplification through preferential treatment, by 1998, of customs clearance procedures for the import and export of assistive devices, as well as components, materials and equipment for their production, repair and maintenance.

10.4 Increase of availability, by 1998, of assistive devices, and repair and maintenance services.

10.5 Introduction, by 1998, of government schemes to actively encourage NGOs and private entrepreneurs through tax incentives and subsidies for indigenous production and servicing of assistive devices.

Recommendations
(1) Resource centres may be established to conduct research and development of assistive devices and to display different models and types of assistive devices, which persons with disabilities may visit to test, try and choose those which are suitable for them.

(2) Information in the form of videotapes and pamphlets on assistive devices may be widely disseminated.

(3) Channels for the distribution of assistive devices may be established through government agencies, NGOs and CBR programmes to reach the maximum number of persons with disabilities.

(4) Relevant government agencies and accredited NGOs may be granted exemption of duty imposed on items for general and specific use which are required by persons with disabilities.

(5) Encourage research and advanced training institutions for technology, engineering and allied sciences to collaborate with NGOs and CBR programmes, to develop and improve upon assistive devices that can broaden training and employment opportunities for people with disabilities.

11. SELF-HELP ORGANIZATIONS

Critical Issues

In order to realize the full participation and equality of persons with disabilities, it is imperative that they themselves play a key role in the formulation of national policy on all issues that directly affect their lives. Self-help organizations provide the means for persons with disabilities to collectively voice their needs and aspirations. Lack of coordination and consultation among self-help organizations can reduce their effectiveness in this role. National forums of self-help organizations can facilitate the formation of common positions and thereby strengthen their representation.

Some countries within the ESCAP region do not as yet have self-help organizations owing to lack of information and understanding of the role of these organizations. Another issue is the low level of organizational and management skills on the part of persons with disabilities in those organizations. In some instances, the absence of an environment that is conducive to self-help and organization is a serious obstacle to the establishment of self-help organizations of people with disabilities.

Persons with disabilities in the rural areas and disability groups, such as users of psychiatric services, leprosy-affected persons, HIV-positive persons and women and girls with disabilities, have been neglected. There is a need for existing cross-disability organizations to include the participation of these marginalized groups as well as take initiatives to encourage these groups to set up their own organizations.

Effective leadership and management development remain major concerns of self-help organizations in the ESCAP region.

Targets
11.1 Establishment, by 1997, of a national forum of self-help organizations of persons with disabilities to include organizations from rural areas, as well as organizations of marginalized groups such as women and girls with disabilities, users of psychiatric services, persons with intellectual disabilities, persons who are HIV-positive and persons affected by leprosy.

11.2 Development, by 1997, of self-help organizations of diverse disability groups, which focus on rural people with disabilities in the provision of mutual support, advocacy and referrals to programmes and services, and which collaborate actively with NGOs engaged in rural and urban development issues.

11.3 Put in place, by 1997, mechanisms under the direction of the National Coordinating Committee, which will increase consultations between self-help organizations of persons with disabilities and diverse government ministries covering the implementation of the Agenda for Action.

11.4 Establishment, by 1997, of a national policy with the requisite resource allocations to support the development and formation of self-help organizations of persons with disabilities.

11.5 Development, by 1998, of programmes for training persons with disabilities, including women with disabilities, as trainers in the leadership and management of self-help organizations.

Recommendations
(1) Self-help organizations of persons with disabilities may initiate action plans for the establishment of national forums.

(2) National forums of self-help organizations of people with disabilities shall monitor regularly the progress made in the implementation of the targets relating to self-help organizations.

(3) The national forums may develop tools for monitoring and evaluating services for people with disabilities and the effectiveness of self-help organizations.

(4) Provide training to people with disabilities on computer and electronic networking skills to strengthen the self-help movement of persons with disabilities through giving them greater access to information and effective communication technologies.

(5) Encourage people with disabilities to play an active role in the national political process.

12. REGIONAL COOPERATION

Recommendations

(1) ESCAP, in close co-operation with concerned members of the Asia-Pacific Inter-organizational Task Force on Disability-related Concerns, may collaborate in:

Assisting Governments in carrying out national sample surveys, by:

Providing technical expertise to facilitate disability-related data collection;
Provide training to trainers of census enumerators in the interpretation of definitions of definitions for data collection.
Disseminating the United Nations Handbook on Development of Impairment, Disability and Handicap Statistics and the International Classification of Impairments, Disabilities and Handicaps (edited by WHO);

Holding the first NCC Convention in 1997, the mid-point of the Decade, at which, inter alia, awards may be presented to persons and organizations that have made outstanding contributions to the promotion of the Decade;
Approaching UNDP to consider the inclusion of a factor on development and rehabilitation of disabled persons in the UNDP Human Development Index;
Laying a foundation for regional cooperation and networking with subnational linkages, so that collaborative research and development in the production of assistive devices may be undertaken and transfer of technology to production workshops and NGOs may be promoted;
Training self-help organizations of people with disabilities in diverse skills required for effective participation in their respective NCCs;
Facilitating exchanges and mutual help among self-help organizations of people with disabilities in the ESCAP region, including for the establishment of national forums.
(2) The Asia-Pacific Inter-organizational Task Force on Disability-related Concerns may:

Develop training materials and programmes about disability for personnel working in health, social welfare, education, labour, rural and urban development, and NGOs;
Organize, at the subregional level, multisectoral training workshops on CBR management for personnel from diverse ministries and NGOs, including self-help organizations of people with disabilities.
(3) Regional NGOs, in cooperation with Very Special Arts International, may consider organizing a regional arts festival of persons with disabilities to be hosted by a country in the region.

(4) ESCAP members may:

Develop training modules and materials for the training of persons with disabilities as trainers in awareness-raising of issues affecting people with disabilities.
Contribute designs of stamps to commemorate the Asian and Pacific Decade for possible use by ESCAP members and associate members.
Support the convening of subregional multisectoral training sessions on CBR management for personnel responsible for disability matters in the ministries of education, health, labour, social development, organizations of people with disabilities and other NGOs;
Develop information materials and organize programmes on approaches to the achievement of these targets for technical cooperation among developing countries (TCDC);
Strengthen regional cooperation for the promotion of the Decade through increased contributions of human and financial resources to the secretariat.
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