ORGANISATION OF AFRICAN UNITY
L ORGANISATION DE L'UNITE AFRICAINE
B.P. 3243
ADDIS-ABEBA ETHIOPIA
NATIONS UN IES
COMMISSION ECONOMIQUE POUR L'AFRIQUE
m
UNITED NATIONS
ECONOMIC COMMISSION FOR AFRICA P. O. Box 3001
Distr.
LIMITED
ECA/OAU/AMSA.V/18
18 December 1986 Original: ENGLISHECONOMIC COMMISSION FOR AFRICA/ORGANIZATION OF AFRICAN UNITY Fifth Conference of African Ministers
of Social Affairs
Yamoussoukro, Cote d'lvoire, 16-28 March 1987
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE WORLD PROGRAMME OF ACTION CONCERNING DISABLED PERSONS IN
AFRICAN COUNTRIES
1. The proclamation of the year 1981 as the International Year of Disabled Persons(IYDP), by United Nations Gereral Assembly resolu
tion 31/123 of December 1976* increased the general consciousnessand awareness anong policy makers, implementors and the public at large concerning the full participation ard integration of dis
abled persons in socio-economic developments in African countries-It has promoted the review of existing programmes and the formula tion of more effective measures to meet the reeds of disabled per sons- Resolution 37/52 of Ceceraber 3, 1S32 adopted the World Programme of Action concerning Disabled ferscns<WPA) and sub sequently proclaimed the United Nations Decace of Disabled Persons 1983-1992, which called on lember states 1o use this period for
the implementation of WPA.2. An estimated ten per cent of the world's population is affec ted by disability. About tuio-thirds of such cases are in develop ing countries/ mostly in the rural areas anc an estimated 5C mil
lion cases of disability aro found in Africa- Iradequate programmes of primary health care and services, natural calamities,
hunger and starvations political conflicts ard civil strifes, wars of liberation, environmental pollution, and varicus forms of acci dents are amony the major factors responsible fcr the increasing cases of aisabilitiy in African countries.II-
3. The oojective of WPA is to promote effective treasures for the prevention of disability, rehabilitation, ihe realization of the goals of full participation of disabled persens in social life and development, and equality- 1/ The implementation of WPA faces many difficulties for the African region- The present economic hardship prevalent in many countries implies a serious scarcity of resources which makes it harder to attain the objectives of the Programme. The level of development of a country dictates its al location of resources to the different sectors of the economy.
For most, the meagre resources entail marginal allocations to basic health care, to the detriment of other services such as dis- bility prevention and rehabilitation. Honever, notable efforts have been aade in some African countries to provide and/or improve services for the disabled. This paper briefly reviews the programmes, services and facilities for disabled persons in
1/UN, United Nationa Decade cf Disabled Persons, 1983-1992;
l New York, 1983, P.I
ECA/QAuVAHSA.V/161 Page 02
African countries* with emphasis on those initiated as part of the implementation of the WPA during the first *alf of the united Nations Decade of Disabled Persons(1983-1992).
1. Prevention
4. Prevention remains to be the most important area to deal with in the issue of disability- This is in fzct very basic and has b«*n included in basic health care programmes of sons African countries. Immunization has been intensified ever the years and its delivery system improved in some countries sc as to reach the remotest areas in the region. Other prevertive services such as sanitation* health educations nutritions pre-natal and post-natal car* have been increasingly effective in reducing the number of disability in the region. Several countri«s in the region have been putting priority specifically on t^ prevention of dis ability. In Egypt* for «xample financial assistance is provided to voluntary organizations responsible for preventive and rehabilitative services- 2/ In Cape V«rd«* vaccinations agaxnst leprosy has be«n stepped up and community psvehistric clinics have been constructed as part of the national programme under the jurisdiction of the Department of Health «nd Social Welfare. 3/
Training programmes in Cote d'lvoire have alsc been emphasising
preventive measures. 4/
5- Included in the disability programme of Ghans is the launching of preventive measures. 5/ Guinea has intersified its activities towards the prevention and treatment of polio and its fight against blindness. 6/ Prevention programmes in Burkina Faso ar9 multisectoral and include decentralized vaccinations increased availability of drinking *ster in rural areess improvement of roads to reduce accidents* creation of safety codes for workers*
prohibition of publicity of alcohol and cigarettes and inforcement of drug control. 14 In Kali* an association uss established for the prevention of and special education ix\ mental retardation*
with the objective of creating a medical and educational institute
2/ECA* IllS.5iiMlliflfl-«f-fliS«tlid.£|CSfiaf-AO.«|Cifia' Prepared by
P.O. Olusanya for Social Development Oxvisxor (SCEHSO)* Cdoc:
ECA/SDEHSD/DDP.D* 1935* p. 21.
3/Uest African Federation of Associations fcr the Advancement of Handicapped PersonsiHAfAH) International Seminar of Nouakchott*
Mauritania from 16-21 February 1925* fi«fiflrJ-fif-lfci_BiCU.bli£-fii
£I4
4/ECA* Aicifi*-ao4-i&*-Ufle.CUlla0.a«> a* unpublished report for SDEHSO* 1982* p. 35.
5/IBID* pp. 23-25.
6/WAFAH Seminar* £«fiflCi-flf,itl-B«aubii£-Ci-fiuiOSi-
7/hafah Seminar* B«eflcl-fil_lbft-B*Hubiic-fii-£uckica_Ei5fl_-
to identify mental r«tardaticn at an early stage. 8/ The Central
African Republic has also intensified its vscciration programme. 9/
2. Rehabilittion
6. Rehabilitation includes a series of services from early detec tion* diagnosis and intervention to vocations! rehabilitation ser vices. It requires a great number of staff from medical staff to technical experts. However* the family and the community are im portant resources that every programme shoulc take into considera tion and should therefore involve in the rehabilitation of dis abled members. The integration of disable* persons in the com munity mill be easier if the> are able to receive the treatments care and other rehabilitation services ir their own community.
Most of the rehabilitation services in the r«gior are largely pat terned on those of the developed ccuntries* emphasising institution-based services and thereby catering to a small number of disabled persons. As each country discovers the inadequacy of relying on specialized institutions to serv« most of its disabled populations the trend touards community-based rehabilitation is
expected to increase.7. In Egypt* a yreat number of facilities for the care and rehabilitation of the disabled have been established nationwide*
covering different kinds of disability trough government and private organizations. For example* rehabilitation centres for the blind* deaf* and mentelly-retarded* as (tell as for or thopaedic* cardiac* tuberculosis and leprosy esses provide com prehensive services for disabled persons inducing thorough ex amination* treatment* physical restoration* counselling* vocation al training and follom-up services.10/ Libyan Arab Jamahiriya has allocated a budget in its five- year developtent plan <1981-1985)*
for the establishment of rehabilitation training centres and work shops for prosthetic aids.11/ The prosratae for the Cecade in Guinea include the extension of the National Centre of Orthopaedics and the construction of a mertal hospital.12/ The rehabilitation programme in Burkina Faso concentrates on re education of the disabled and the manufacture of cheap equipments.
The family is involved in the rehabilitation cf the physically- iapaired member* through simple training in massage and limb
8/Diallo* Boubacar* « Mali "* SsUdftTllS' Nt.1* Jan-March 1985*
p. 22.
9/UAFAH Seminar* fi*BflCl.fli.lfct.£«otcal-diciSaD-fiSfiybIifi..
10/ECA* afCiCi-ifld.ibi_IXfl£-«ali*fla!* op. cit.* pp.25-27.
11/eca* Xb«-5itiiitiflo.at.fiisifclad.£«caaQs.io.Aicififi.y op.
P. Cl m
12/UAFAH Seminar* S*aflCi.fl|_ibft_BftfiUhiic_flt_$ijiD*fl.
ECA/QAU/AMSA.V/1S Page 04
therapy.13/
8- In Kenya, the National, Vocational Rehabilitation Program** was
established in 1968, for the care and rehabilitation of disabled persons-14/ At the district level, Nyeri District in the Central Province of Kenya has developed a referral system that has proven to be v«ry effective- A patient with a chronic ailment is diag nosed as an out- patient, ther admitted for treatment and referred back to a health centre for recovery. Follow-Lp service is done on a weekly basis, until th« patient improves.15/ The five-year plan of Congo includes the construction anc equipment of new in stitutions, as well as the improvement of existing ones, jainly for the blind, the deaf and those disable* by polio.16/ Rwanda has extended its services for the mentally-retarded by training parents in the techniques of helping disabled become useful and integrated into the family anc the society as a *hoie-17/
9. Although some countries have embarked or the strengthening of their rehabilitation services for the disablsd, r.ctably the blind, the deaf and physically-impaired, the. establishment and provision of adequate equipment to such institutions require large financial commitments on the part of governments- As e result, many of these institutions ar^ not adequately equipped. In addition, the existing institutions are too few for the large rumber of disabled
persons requiring such services-
10- I*0P provided an opportunity for a review of existing policies and programmes in order to enhance the integration and participation of disabled persons in their sccieties- To this end, a number of countries responded b> explicitly enacting measures for the protection and rights of disabled persons.
Algeria has a national policy which provides for the integration of disabled persons into society.18/ The Lityan Arab Jamahiriya s
13/1- Kombassere, Jean-Pierr«, "Burkina Fasc",
No-1, Jan-March 1985, pp. 9-1C. 2. UAFAX S««iner, BtfiQCi-flf
14/ECA, AJCififl-SOd-lbi-IXfiE-fifcalUOilt' op. cit-, pp.23-25.
15/WHO, "Kanaflins District Primary Health Care",
Summer, 1936.
16/UAFAH Seminar,
17/UAFAH Seminar, gtaaCi-flf-lt*-EtfiuUiifi-aI-fi«flQ£fl- 18/WAFAH Seminar, S«flfiCl-fli_lbft-S«flUfiliC-flf-Alfl«Cia-
19/eca, iht.5ity*iifl0.af_fiisfltliil-£»cifio*-io.Aicifia-^ op- cit
p. 18.
law guarantees th« fundamental rights of disabled people.19/
Sudan drafted a law in 198G* subsequently accepted by the Council of Ministers* for the protection and rehabilitation of disabled persons.20/ In Tunisia* a lets was passed in 1981* providing for the right of disabled persons to education* vocational rehabilita tion/ employment and social welfare coverage.21/ A national policy concerning disabled persons exists in Cape Verde* under the jurisdiction of the Health and Social Uelfere Cepartment* and it is under continuous review tc improve the various health and so cial prograanes.22/ The let in Cote d'lvcire puts emphasis on education for disabled persons.23/ The national policy of Guinea provides for the improvement of the living conditions of disabled persons through education «nd re-educaticn.24/ The national policy in Mali has provided for the creaiion of rehabilitation centres in Bamako and the rural areas.£5/ Niger's national
programme for the disabled calls for the elaboration of a policyto employ disabled persons.26/ Senegal has an ecucational policy to provide education to all irrespective of circt.Bistance.27/
11. Nigeria's £a«CikMaflUflCai-2SK«lftfillS0i__£lsE (1981-1985) in
cluded the formulation of a programme of actior for the improve ment of human welfare and the quality of life* with particular at tention to vulnerable and deprived groups including the disabled.28/ The I*2P National Commission cf Liberia has submit ted a draft legislation to cover education* mecical care* train ing, employment and other benefits for disabled persons.29/ In Zambia* during IYOP* the Ministry of Labocr ar.d Social Services which is responsible for policies concerning social development and the administration of social services in the country*
initiated the establishment of the National Commission for
20/eca* Ib*-$ii*aiiflo_af_flisflU*d-£«cs2Qs_iD-afci£S_* op- cit.*
p. zi •
21/IBID-
22/wafah seminar* Baasci-a*.ibt.B«fi«biic.aI.iaBa^«cd«- 23/eca* dicififl.acd-ilifi-iXfle,£taii«Qa«' op. cit.* p.35.
24/WAFAH Seminar* BSflflCl_fll_$fcs_BSfiUfeUfi-fif-£iUQsa-
25/ECA* Report on Mission to houackchott* Mairitcfiia* 16-25
February* 1985.
26/UAFAH Seminar* B«aflCl.flf_ifct.BaflUbliS_al-bia«-
27/eca, Afcisa-aad-lba-IXQe-Cbfillaofle.* op. cit.* PP. 34-35.
28/gCA* It)a.Sityaliflo_fll_fii5afclad-£8C5floa.io.Afcica«-' op. cit.*
p. *y • 29/IBIO.
ECA/OAuVAMSA.V/18 Page 06
Disabled Persons. The Handicapped Persons Act of 1968 had created the Zambia Council for the handicapped <ZCfr), s non-governmental organisation composed of representatives of associations for dis abled persons and various relevant ministries.30/ In Tanzania, the Disabled Persons Employment Act of 1932 called for the estab lishment of a National Advisory Council/ a Cisabled Persons*
Register and an Employers* Register- The Act requires registered employers to employ a specific number of refiistered disabled per sons- The Disabled Persons Care and Maintenance Act of 1982
provides for the maintenance and care of the disabled and hasproposed the establishment of a National Fund for disabled
persons.31/
12. The Five-Year Plan (1982-1986) of Conc.o includes programmes and budget allocations for the benefit of disabled persons.32/
Since 196G, Cameroon has iaposed certain measures such as free transportation in trains, a 25 per cent redtcticn in air fares as uell as tax exemption for disabled persors. In 1983, the new government enacted a law for the protecticn of disabled persons which provides for the prevention of disability* care, training, employment and access to sports and leisure.33/ In Zaire, measures enacted include; th« sponsoring ot qualified blind per sons to study abroad/ promotion of the e«plo>inent of qualified disabled persons by earmarking some vacancies for them and the provision of special legislation to promote the rights of disabled persons.34/ Rwanda has had « national policy tcitards specialized education since 1976, and the 1967 laui on smplcyjent was revised to provide for the employment of disabled persons by requiring the private sector to reserve certain vacancies for them and to provide them with training appropriate tc the available vacancy.35/ Burkina Faso's programme on squalization of oppor tunities includes encouraginc the educatior of disabled children through enrolment in schools near their residences, sensitization of employers to eliminate prejudice and discriamation, and or ganization of sports, competition and entertainment for disabled
persons.36/
30/ECA, Bfia2Ci_4D_ffli&Si2D-i2.ibfi_BaCUbllfi-fl|
22March-4April 1986, CECA/TC/SD/86/22(i-a)1>
31/Acts Supplement of Tanzania Iba-2isablftd-£sr.S&Q2-£Sfil&XffitQl
1982.
32/UAFAH Seminar, BsafiCl-Sf-lti-Bftfiyalit-Sf-
33/WAFAH Seminar, £4fiQCt-Qi-ltft_UulQu_Uaii2Qtl-dSS-baadi£aCSS-dy CflffliCflflQ-
34/UAFAH Seminar, BflBftCi-Sf-itS-BSfiyfeliC-fii-iaiCS- 35/WAFAH Seminar, £SfifiCi-Sf-itS-RSCUbli£-flf-£«flQC2-
36/WAFAH Seminar, &ififlCi-Si.Jfci-BaBybli£_Sf.£udsica_£i§2-
13- The awareness to provide education anc treining to disabled persons has gradually increased/' as demonstratec by the different programmes that have emeryec since IYOP. Post cf these program mes ar« in the form of specialized schools an<t cater mostly for the blinds the deaf and the physically- hancicapped. Various programmes in many countries call for the establishment of spe cial schools and for the equipment and strengthening of existing ones. The education of young disabled persons generally assume the same dimension as that of rehabilitation; emphasis on specialized education as against the integrstior of disabled per sons in the overall education system of the country. Special education nay be necessary for many types of disability.
Mentally-retarded children mould certainly require special skills in their education and the blinds the deaf end the mute need spe cial techniques and aids- It is however recommended that for those disabled children whe are able to participate in a regular school settings they should be encouraged tc do so/ to allow their early adjustment and integration into society.
14. Algeria has reported the existence o1 five special schools for the blind ana thirteen for the deaf-mute. The special schools have the same programme as ether regular schools except for the method of teaching* A certain percentage of the students from the schools for the blind has the chance to erter regular secondary schools by passing qualifying examinations.27/ Ghana's programme on disability includes the establishment cf special schools for the blinds the deaf and deaf-mute and the placement of crippled children in regular schools.38/ A special institution for the deaf-mute mas established in Guineas which alsc admits sientally- retarded and emotionally-sick children.39/ Special schools in Ethiopia cater primarily for the deaf* the blind and the physically- handicapped.40/ higer opened its first school for the blind in 1979 and for the deaf-mute in 19££s while children with motor disabilitiy are integrated into the regular school system.41/ In Zambia* education of the cisafcled focus on the development of the potential and strength of the child. In this respects integration and participation of the disabled in educa tion is encouraged in line with the country's policy on education. Disabled children attend regular schools and
37/WAFAH Seminar* BafiSCS-Sf.l£ft.BfifiUbli£_gf_£lfi8CiS-
38/ECAs Alcifia.iOd-ltJt.IXBE-CfcfllliOdS'op. cit.s pp.23-25.
39/WAFAH Seminars &*fiflCi_fli-ifc«_8*ay&li£-flf-£y.iQis.
40/National Children's Commission of Ethiopia ECfl£SadiOS_flf_tbt
Macli5uflc_fiu-ib«-ii«siia.5Qd.ecfitlsffl5_2f-Ci5fiiJlsd_i;til<icsDr Addis
Ababa* June 1984.
41/WAFAH Seminars R*fiSCl-2*_Jfce._B*flu.bUS-fi:f.,fcifl«r..
ECA/OAU/AMSA-V/18 Page 08.
colleges depending on the nature and degree cf their disability.42/
15- Soae countries have also started offerir.s vocational and technical training to disable* persons- In Eurkina Faso* a train ing centre* located in Ncn$taba offers e ten-month course in agriculture* crafts* gardening and stock 1arming-43/ Somalia's sole vocational rehabilitation centre trains sixty boys and young
■en as tailors.44/ Training of disabled persons in Zambia in cludes skills in tailoring* woodwork* carpentry* radio repairs*
leatherwork and cane work.45/ Guinea provides training in such skills as tailoring* hairdressing and secretarial work.46/ In Tanzania* vocational and technical training fcr the disabled is provided in four centres* where a variety cf skills are offered*
namely: agriculture* and animal husbandry* carpentry*.blacksmith*
shoe-making* braille* tailoring* typing and handicrafts.47/
16. The question of employment of disabled persons raises many
problems in the light of the unemployment arc: underemployment pervasive in many African countries. The provision of vocational training is essential for disabled persons as it enhances their chances of obtaining employment* becoming s«lf-sustaining and ac tive income-earning individuals. Production workshops and cooperatives offer greater chances to diseblec persons mho have limited competitive opportunities in th« open labour market.
These are of course very expensive for governments to establish and maintain* especially that only a limited number of the dis abled population is able to profit from the*. In Tanzania* there are five workshops for disabled persons ther« they are trained and expected to work for two years after which they can join other types of employment.46/ Productior workshops have also been established in Egypt* Kenya* Nig«r and Zambia.
17. The establishment of cooperatives has been successful in a number of countries. The CaQfle,Cfl*iy.ft-Sf-CiSibi«*-?*C.SflDS* a.Joint publication of the Committee for the Fronction of Aid to
42/eca* gafiflcifiQdiasiflOl2ib«B«a^lifi-fi*-iafflti2' op- cit
43/UAFAH Seminar* &SBfiC*-fil-JfcS-BafiUfeUS_flf
44/eca* itfi-Siiuaiiflfl-at-fiiafltltd-EftCSftQs-io-Afcica-' op- cit.*
p. 23.
45/eca* gtflflcl-fla-ttisaiao-la.Jht-Bftfiubiifi-tfl-iflffltia' op. cit 4o/UAFAH Seminar* B*fiflCJ-flf-lb«-8fifiybli£-fif-CuiQSfl-
47/eca* EtaflCi.flD-ii5Siuo-lfl-ib«-UQii*d
<ECA/TC/S0/86/2.2(i-a)2)* 23 June 1986.
48/IBID.
Cooperatives CCCPAC) and the United Nations Centre for Social Development and Humanitarian Affairs <C$DHA>* published in December 1935* provides soi« guidelines for the promotion and or ganization of cooperatives* citing some cas«s of cooperatives for disabled persons. Among the roted cooperatives that have been es tablished under the self-help approach are the (UOutflfilyCS
£l*£iCflfliflys *1 MSfiaQifliia <MERA> in Kigali* and the ynittd
^feiliiiaa £SB&a&X in Addis Afcaba* uhich functions as a non-profit enterprise" and provides emplcynent to four hundred <400) disabled
persons of different categories. Cooperatives have also been es
tablished in Tanzania/ Uganoa/ Malawi* Guinea Bissau^ Mauritius and Kenya. A cooperative for the blind was established in 1983 in Zisbabute and plans are underu.y to establish a similar rural craft cooperative. Somalia* Sierra Leone and Mozanbiqiie have all start ed similar schemes. The prisary objective of the cooperative is to create jobs but rehabilitation is also a tajor concern.49/
14. As has already been Mentioned* (see Sscticn C: Equalization of Opportunities)* it is significant to note t^at some countries have included in their national legislation some guarantee for the employment of the disabled. During 2VOP* Esypt planned to amend La* No. 39 of 1975 to provide fcr an increase in the proportion of disabled *ork«rs in the totaJ labour force to five per cent.50/ Other countries such as Rwanda* Zaire/ Tanzania and Niger have also enacted legislation concerring the employment of
disabled persons.
6. fiJdsC-QflfifiCluuilifla
19- The provision of other services for the benefit of disabled
persons has also featured in the program»es cf some countries.In Algeria* a sports asscciation for cisabled persons mas created.51/ Cape Varde has £ system of social protection through
which the government grants fixed subsidies to those «ho need
financial help and mho ar« net covered by social security.52/ In Ghana* a training programme sponsored by tfre Primary Health Care Training for Indigenous Heal«rs (PRETIH)* organized in Techiman in 1979* has been promoting cooperation bctuecn traditional and modern medicine as part of rural health care.53/ Burkina Faso hasai.Ci5fltilftd-£8
lifiO-fiQd-Qai prepared by J. Gcdmur.dsson* Dec.
1965.
50/eca, ibs_5iluaiiflO_2f-QisflUfid-esc5flos-iQ-Atci£fl_' op. cit.#
p. 18.
51/UAFAH Seminar*
52/WAFAH Seainar*
53/Fink^ Helga* "Physicians and H%alers* Pruary Health Care in
Ghana"*Q«a«laaMfll~£flroj&tc*iio,n.' No.5* Sept-Cct-1985* pp 9-11.
ECA/OAU/AHSA.V/18 Page 10
devised the distribution of cards to diseblec parsons for free medical car* and it provides the participaticn of ^isabUd persons in cultural activities such as theatre ard m^sic.54/ J"M%J;'
•Club et Loisir* mas inaugurated in August 1985 for the rehabilitation of disabled persons, urid«r financing by the Netherlands- Activities offered include swim*in&, tennis,table tennis, chess, scrabble and monopoly. Future plans include the provision of facilities for gymnastics, ccnference, lecture and
films.55/
20. in Senegal, a Braille printing press uias opened in October 1985, the second one in West Africa, the first being in Liberia.56/ A national «eek for the physically-disabled »as or
ganized by the assflfiiaiiao—MrUfiaal-dfiS—aiuSicafits-Haltyts-dy Lneoal fro* 26 Nov - 2 Dec. 1984, to sensitize the public on the n«df of the disabled. The association, *itr th€ collaboration of
the basketball league of Dakar, also orsanized s sports coapeti- tion in April 1984 and a basketball &an fcr the disabled on wheels in May 1985 in Dakar.57/ The Tanzanian government ass"ts in the establishment and maintenance of s«ttl««nts for disbled persons in the absence of relatives to care for a disabled number.58/ R*anda and Mauritania allo« duly free J»Pfr*^°n oi materials and equipment for specialized institutions and
rehabilitation centres.59/
7.
21. The absence of a systeastic data collectior. on disability is pervasive in aany countries of the region. The magnitude of the disability proble« cannot therefore b« properly assessed.
Research and studies have however been reported in some countries as a result of IYDP- these include Algeria, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Tunisia, Central African Reputlic and Malawi. Some countries have included in their programme on Usability, census of disabled persons. Guinea for example, plsns to undertake a
54/WAFAH Seminar,
55/*Inauguration du Club et Lcisir du CRHP a Bafflako",SflUdflCii«' Jan-March 1986, p- 12-
56/~t'Impri«erie braille de Thies: La Premiere d« 1'Afrique noire Francophone-, SflUdacilft' Jan-March 1986, p. 13.
57/1. Sangar«,0.L., "Oes homaes comme les a*-treaw, 5ftlidacilft' April-June 1985, p.33- 2. K«iaye,G.B., "Au-dela du Spectaculaire S'exprimer", SflUdiCill' April-June 1985, P- 34.
58/Tanzania Acts Supplement,
12S2-
59/wafah seminar, 8afiaci_flf-lbft-Saayfalic.af-Ei«aofia-aad-iba
ii
national c«nsus of disablec children. It has also included in its programme the creation cf a research centre to evaluate the types and prevalency of disabilitys and on the basis of which to elaborate programmes for education and tre integration of the disbled into society.60/ Nigers Cameroon/ Congo and Zaire have also formulated disability programmes uhich include censuses of disabled persons.61/ The government of Ken>a appointed a special committee to assess the number and types of disability in the country with the aim of creating an effective policy in estab lishing appropriate programmes.62/
22- Other countries have else reported tc have undertaken cen suses including Furkina Faso/ Mauritania <19£3)s and Nigeria whose research project 'Survey of the Disabled in Nigeria' was one of its contribution to 1YQP.63/ Zambia's Naticnal Campaign to Reach Disabled Children involved s nationwide registration of disabled children. In Zimbabwe^ a census undertaken xr 1982 established that 3064/ Guinea has intensified s>%r cent cf disabled persons in the country were in the rurcl areas with ninirrum access to care and rehabilitation services.65/ Ethiopian through the National Children's Commission <NCC)s conducted a survey of disabled children in 19S1/- to determine the extent ara major causes of childhood disability and on the basis of tre findings^ to formu
late relevant policy measures. The NCC has also conducted other studies on the needs and problems of disabled persons in Ethiopia.66/ In 19S3/- Swaziland carried out a survey uhich threw some light on the four major disability areas: physical/ mentals visual and audials showing their causes and the geographical dis tribution of disabled persons.67/
6.
60/WAFAH Seminar/
61/WAFAH Seminars
62/ECAs aici£fl-afla_Su«_IXB£-£fcallSQS8' OP- cit.s pp.27-29 63/1. ecas Sii«dtiap-2f_fii5itl*d_Eac5flDS-iD-Aicice' op.
p.22. 2. WAFAH Seminars.StfiSClS.af-
64/ECAs Bsflflcl_2Q-ffli5SiflQ-ifi_;tb£-Eseubli£-af-£afflfci3' op. cit 65/WAFAH Seminars BsafiCi_fil_lta_SfliiytlliC-fif.
66/National Children's Commissions
Addis Ababas farch 1933.
67/Swaziland Central Statistical Offices 1983s September 1984.
ECA/0AU/AMSA.V/1S Page 12
23. Prior to IYOP, there existed in £ number of African countries, national associations or bodies of disabled Persons.
The declaration of IYDP and the United Naticns Cecade of Oisabled
P^sors ho«.v«r, has provided the impetus for the strengthening of
existing associations and their programmes and the creation of new bodies in some countries- Through these associations and bodies, the voice of disabled persons has increasingly been heard and their participation in decision-making and in the formulation of programmes affecting thea has improved.
24. Numerous committees were established curing IYDP, «itn responsibilitiy of coordinating the activities for the Year.
Practically all the countries in Northern Airice such as Alfleria, Egypt, Libyan Arab Jamahiriyi, Sudan and Turxsia established com mittees for IYOP ana Libya's became per»an«nt soon after.6B/ in West Africa, more than half ot the countries are known to have had IYDP national committees. Benin, Cote d'lvtire, Liberia, Nigeria and Toyo all established permanent coorcinating bodies, while
S£ana, Guinea and Burkina faso set up I*DP cciR.ittees.69/ In Eastern Africa, Tanzania also established a taticnal committee for IYDP, while Ethiopia's National Commission for enabled Persons
promoted interest in and aware.ess for the reeds of the gabled, resulting in an increase in activities and programmes for disabled persons in the country. The National Children s Commission, responsible for the coordination and supervision of all services for children, included in its programmes, services for disabled persons.70/ Burundi, Central African Republic, Congo, tf»eroon and Rwanda ^r^ reported to have permanent bcdies charged with the coordination of activities for disabled persons. Angola, Gabon, and Zaire all established IYOP national committees. Zambia, Zimbabwe and Malawi have permanent bodies while Mozambique and Botswana also established IYCF national committees.71/
25 In Niger, different national associations for the various types of disability such as the blind* t*e deaf and the physically-handicappad have been created. The associations are actively involved in the strengthening of treir structure, train ing of qualified personnel, creation of prcduction cooperatives, promotion of legal protection of items procuced by disabled per-
68/ECA,siiyatififl.af-fiis«bitsl_£tcaflflS-ifl-Afcisa' «p- cit., p. 16
69/IBIO, p. 16.
7O/ibt.Siiyiiiflo.«l.aiambl«d.io^lfaiflaitz.i.fiaMii3«.fliajC
prepared for the Eastern and Southern African Regional Seminar on the Disabled Child* Family and the Community, Adois Ababa,
November, 1921, pp.8-9.
71/eca, P, 17-
72/UAFAH Seminar,
sons/ and sensitizing the public through publicity.72/ In
Mauritania^ UQifiD.UalifiDalfl-ifi5_tlflQdiiaa»5 »«s created in 1976 and
its activities are supported by the government. The association has a voice at the national level and through its a census on the disabled was undertaken and training centres and cooperatives have been established.73/ The National Council cf Disabled Persons in Zimbabwe is nationally recognized and is active in promoting a stronger voice to advise government on their needs.74/ Zaire and Togo have also established national associations of disabled persons.75/ The Tunisian National Union cf the Blind operates workshops in occupations such as weaving.' basket-* works knitting and brush-making.76V26. The Ghana Society for the Blind sponsors none training schemes and provides services to literate blind persons* A Braille library serves the blind all over the country. The Society has also established a talking bcok programmes whereby books are recorded on casettes and loaned to the blind who cannot use braille. The society has been very actives and its coopera tion with various governmental departments for the promotion of the welfare of the blind has teen quite significant.77/ The Kenya National Rehabilitation Committees a pernanert body created before ITDPs is responsible for advising the government and voluntary or ganizations in the care and rehabilitation of disabled persons.78/
Uganda's National Committee for the Rehabilitation and Resettlement of Disabled Persons which has teen in active service for many yearss compiles a rational register o1 disabled persons and is responsible for the establishment cf a number of rehabilitation and training services.79/ Ir 19£6s Guinea created an office for the association of disabled persons, and while awaiting official recognitions has already laic out plans for a censuss public information and other activities for the disabled.30/
9.
73/uafah .seminars
74/UAFAH Seminars aSBflCi-Sl,ibS-fififiU.bli£-2i-ZinUfifc*S-
75/WAFAH Seminars fi«BflCl-al.its.EiBUbli£_fli.laiC«_flDd-l2afi.
76/ecas Iufl_SiiuaiiQ.a_flf_fii5sbi«d_£tcsflQ5-io-Afcii.a-' op. cit.s
p. 23.
77/ECAs 4lcic.a-.Od-Suft-iICe-CtfliliOJS* op. cit.s pp.23-25.
76/IBIOs pp. 27-29.
79/IBIO.
80/**Bureau de l'association Gcineenne des Personr«s Hahdicapees"s
Juil-Sept 1986s p. 11.Page 14
27- Vocational training/ whether connunity-basjd or specialized/
necessitates a great number cf trainers. In the African region, there is dire need for professional staff tc uncertake the train ing of disable persons. Sine* -any countries rely on overseas training for their rehabilitation professionals/ only a few countries have reported to have training presumes for their professional staff- In Algeria/ for example J^e government has been promoting the trainin9 cf trainers sirce 1967/ with the ob jective of increases the nu«ber of schools for the fisabled-81/
Congo provide some training proirammes for therapist aides-S*/
28. Zambia is one of the fe* countries in the region to train teachers specifically for th« disabled- Ir this respect/ a one year course is offered to competent and interested teachers/ at
respective schools where they assume respcnsibility for special education yiithin the integrated school conmurity. At thi leve 1 of
place in 1986/ and mith the existing de«and for such *««J"«rs, Jt
is expected that future intakes .ill be higher. *V?dl*^'^#
country has a curriculum development centre 1or special education, y.hich is responsible for the cevelopjuent of teacring materials for
disabled students. Fro- time to time/ the centre organized
uorkshops in specialized fields of disability
29 With the increasing reco&nition of the reeds of disabled per
sons in African"countries, it is envisaged that serious considera tion y.111 be aiven to the trainin5 of professional •«P«Mr." .^*
fi«ld of disability. The establishmsrtt of the African Rehabilitation institute for Cisabled Personf<ARI) gives some hope to the solution of this probl«B in the futur«.
b.
30. The establishaent of ARI Institute <A*I) .arked-a .ilestone in regional cooperation in the field of disability in Africa. The Organization of African Unity <0AU>/ in cooperation »ith the Labour Organization <IL0), anc with ^e support of
as well as to train nanpower for the prevention and rehabilitation of disability. The Institute -ill utilize a«d build upon the work
of existing facilities and institutions in African countries.
81/WAFAH Seainar/
82/UAFAH Seainar/
Zimbabwe mill be the location of the coordiniatirc. unit as veil as the host for the Southern African branch of ARI. Cairo and Brazzaville are the proposed headquarters for the Northern and Central Africa branches respectively- The first meeting of the
Interim Governing Board mas held in Harare in Cecember■1985 and
the second meeting took place in Addis Abeba in June 1986. The two Meetings discussed among other things* the work programmer staffing* funding and the establishment of the Technical Advisory Committee of ARI.31- Efforts have also been mede by African countries in the crea tion of sub-regional bodies to promote the objectives of WPA and the Decade- Notable among theses is the West African Federation of Associations for the Advencement of Disabled Persons (HAFAH) which was established in 19£0* with its headqearters in Bamako*
Mali- Its main objective is to promote the integration of dis abled persons into their respective societies through special legislations for their protection* train ins arid employment; the creation of appropriate structures and organizations/ and the promotion and development cf programmes and services for the prevention* rehabilitation and re-integraticn of disabled persons into society. The Federation organizec a seminar on the
QiSflblSd-EscaaDS in Nouakchott* Mauritania* in February 1985* with the theme of 'Equalization of Opportunities for Disabled Persons*.
It has also launched a bulletin "Solidarite* which publicizes its activities and features information and experience of disabled persons- From time to time* the Director cf the Federation per sonally visits member countries to enlist membership for the Federation and to assess the situation o1 disability in those countries.
32- The establishment of a Fan-African Institute for the Deaf is being planned by the National Association Of the Deaf in Senegal.
Several countries have expressed interest anc support for the project. These include Benin* Burkina Faso* Burundi* Cameroon*
Central African Republic* Congo* Djibouti* Ethiopia* Gabon*
Gambia* Guinea* Cote d'lvoire* Kenya* M£dagescar* Mauritius*
Niger* Rwanda* Tchad* Togo and Zaire. The main objective of the project is to promote cooperation in the area of prevention* spe cial education and rehabilitation of the deaf.83/ As part of technical cooperation among French speakins countries a braille printing press which opened in Thies* Seregal in October 1985*
will distribute books and other materials in braille to the various francophone countries•84/
83/eca* ibfl-SituiliflO-fit-Eisifclid-Eftcsflos-ia-Afcics./ op* cit.*
p. 24.
braille d« Thies: La premiere de 1'Afrique noire Francophone"** $o.li4#xi$e.* Jan-Pars 1986* p- 13-
ECA/OAU/AMSA.V/13 Page 16
33. Cooperative activities in implementation of WPA hav« also included the organization of conferences* seminars and workshops.
Aaong them are the Conference on Social Integration of Disabled Persons* held in Rwanda in December 1981* ard attended by French- speaking countries of Central Africa; the Seminar on Vocational Rehabilitation and Integrations held in Malaii ir, October 1981 for countries in Southern and Eastern Africa; and the workshop in Swaziland held in September 1982 with the purpose of establishing a permanent office for planning and coordinating the various dis ability activities in the sufc-region.85/ The A.SSflc.ifliifin.-BSyr.-l§
8«bstiAUlitiflQ—dft5-tiiQditaC*5-iU-fiUCbiQ«.faSQ CARHBF) organized a seminar with the theme *To the Service of Cisabled Persons'* in
April 1985* which was attended by members of ARWBF and other African countries. The discussion focused on the education andsocio-economic integration of disabled persors/ especially in the rural areas.36/ A seminar on training ard development in the
rural area was held in 8ulai«yo/ Zimbabwe Iron 29 June to 6 July 1985 for leaders of associations of disablec persons. It was or ganized by the Disabled People's International in collaboration with the Eastern and Southern African countries.£7/c.
34. International organizations, includins "the United Nations systen have been instrumental in the iiplesentation of many
projects and programmes on disability in th« recion in support of
ypA«, In this connection^ ECA recently completed a study on theSiiualiaO—fli-Qiaatll«^-EftCSflDS-iiO-AfCi£a which examines issues on disability and identifies the nature anc scope of on-going
programmes for the disablec. Technical edviiory services wereprovided to Zambia and Tanzania on the imple*ent€tion of WPA. ECA
has also been working closely with QAU and 3L0 in providing technical inputs into ARI- UNESCO* UNICES ILC anc MHO are also ac tively involved in the field of disability. UNESCO's activities
are aimed at fostering better understanding of the educational problems facing disabled persons* facilitating their integration into the structures of general education or into non-.formal education and training* the provision of technical and/or financial as
sistance for the development of educatioral services including teaching materials as well ss exchange of information and data.Moreover* technical support through advisory services to member
states are undertaken to assist in the preparation of relevant
35/eca* Iba_iiiyitiflO-flf-ai5£fclsd_£«C5S2O5-iQ.Aici£i-' op. cit.*
p. 25.
86/"Seminaires en bref: Burkina Faso*** 5glidSC.il*' No.2*
Apr-June 1985* p. 9.
87/"Seminaire de formation du Zimbabwe"* SfilAdacil*' Jan-March 1986* p. 13.
education projects and programmes for disiblec persons* UNESCO has collaborated with non-governmental crgarizations in the implementation of these various activities.8£/
35. Host of UNICEF's activities have bete. fccusad on -disabled children- In Botswana* activities ac* directed towards disability detection and coauunitiy-bascd rehabilitaticn. In this respect/
UNICEF has cooperated with NCRAD* the Botswana Red Cross and the Botswana Council for Disabled in the organization of workshops and seminars for extension workers* parents anc community workers on the care of disabled children at the community level. It has also assisted in a survey to detect visual and cuditcry disability in all of the primary schools in Kwening district covering about 26*000 children. In Ethiopia* a feasibility stucy in five regions has been completed* paving the may for the preparation of a train ing programme for workers and aides on community rehabilitation.
In Kenya* UNICEF continues to support comraurxty-based activities*
and to coordinate disability programmes of governmental and non governmental agencies. In Liberia* UNICEF provides assistance to schools for visually and auditory-impaired chilcren. A survey on disability was conducted in Sierra Leone with the support of UMCcF/ the findings of which indicate th« csuses and types of disability in the country* In Zambia* UNICEF and WHO supported the national campaign to react* disabled chilcren. In Mauritius* a course for pre-school teachers was organized in 1985/ wherein nutrition* hygiene* immunization and early detection of disability were among the subjects taught.897
36. ILO has been active in the area of vocetiorsl rehabilitation and social reintegration cf disabled persons; in occupational safety* health of workers and the protection cf the working en vironment* ILO was instrumental in the establishment of ARI. In addition* it had recently sponsored a bachelor's degree course in social rehabilitation at the University of Zimbibme. It has also organized shorter courses and workshops on rural vocational rehabilitation* policies and programmes fcr disabled women* and for community rehabilitation of workers. It has assisted Nigeria in establishing a programme for the training of trainers in its rehabilitation centres. In Egypt* it started a project on vocational and social rehabilitation services for the mentally- retarded. A larye rural rehabilitation centre tas established in Malawi with ILO's assistance. Future plars cf ILO include the support it will give to the establisihmert o-f focal points for ARI-90/
88/CSDHA* EasiiiflO-EafiSC' submitted for the Fourth Inter-Agency
Meeting on the UN Decade of Disabled Persons/ Vienna* 5-7 March 1936 by: UNESCO89/CSOHA* EflSilAflQ.ESfiSO °P- cit.* UNICEF
90/CSOHA* eflSiilflO.EifiSC' op. cit.* ILO.
ECA/0A07AMSA.V/18 Page 18
37. WHO has stepped-up its activities en prevention and on community-based rehabilitation. Its progrsanse through the Expanded Programme on Immunization <EPI> has been extended to remote rural areas by improving the 'cold chair of vaccines and in the publicity on the importance of imnurization. The WHO
manual ICiiDifl4-ll)«-2iSlfclfg.iOr-ibf-£2«f¥0*1* f•■£••" I'lllt***
some parts of Africa including Lesotho, Sierra Leone, and Burkina Faso. A number of WHO activities for the disabled have also taken place in Somalia, Senegal and some countries in Southern Africa.91/
38. The International Initiative Against Avoidable Disablement, commonly known as IMPACT is * joint programme of UNOP, UNICEF and WHO. The African IMPACT Programme was inaugurated in 1984 in Nairobi, Kenya> and national programmes lor the prevention of disability have since beep started in Kenya, Mali-' Guinea and Mauritania. It is estimated that in the leng-run, two-thirds of
the disability in Africa can be prevented through IMPACT.92/
39. As in many other developing countries, .o.*ur.tary agencies are still major providers of rehabilitation services in several African countries. The International Committee of the Red Cross, the International Council for the Education of the Visually Handicapped, the Catholic Mission, Disabled People s International, Rehabilitation International, International Caritas and the Cheshire Home Society are aaong a host of organizations whose activities ar% dedicated to the general welfare and care of disabled persons in Africa. The presence cf vcluntary organiza tions are vital in providing the various services to the disabled.
A detailed account of the activities of trese organizations and their impact is beyond the scope of this report, but it is known that their presence and contributions to the problem of disability
in the region has been extensive and vital.in.
40. Concern for the disabled had been in existence in most African countries even before the onset of ItDP. However, exist ing policies, legislation, and programmes tere often not commen surate *ith the magnitude of the disability problem and the press ing needs of disabled persons. The proclamation of IYDP in 1981 and of the United Nations Decade of Oisblec Persons, offered the opportunity for the review of existing policies and programmes and has brought into focus the specific needs of disabled persons. A general consciousness has been created regarcing the situation and isolated state of the disabled. This however needs to be trans lated into more action than has so far been the case. Perhaps the most notable common problem that the cewntries have is the
91/csoha, eaailiflu-EsfitC' op. cit., who.
92/CSDHA, EftjitAflQ-Elfi*C op* cit., IMPACT.
deficiency in the availability of systematic oata and research work concerning disabilitiy. Without concrete knowledge of the caus«s/ typas and prevalency of disabilitiy in tha African countries* programmes and services cannot b* fully focused in the proper direction. Even with tha existence of programmes and the general awareness to cater to the needs of disabled persons* the implementaition of programmes *r* severely restricted by the lack of financial and human resources- Another major constraint prevalent in the African region is tha lack of trained personnel not to mention the need for equipment and aids* Community-based training will certainly require a large nuarber of trainers to be able to cover tha rural areas. Although the degree of cooperation at tha sub-regional and regional levels increased since IYCP* it is still minimal- There is hope that th« establishment of ARI
•ill greatly increase cooperation anons African countries.
International technical assistance will remain ar, important factor in tha improvement of services and in the implementation of WPA in
many African countries* during the Decade.IV.
41. With the first.half of the Decade coming to an end* many dis abled persons* in African countries Mr» still locking towards tha improvement of their general condition and their easier integra tion into society- National level efforts on disabilitiy will depend largely on the socio-economic develcpment of the country*
the level of which is divers* in the various countries of Africa.
In the face of this diversity and tha peculiar needs of the African region* an «iciSIO.E«flifioal-£iflC—*i-aSUSD-fSr.-fii3«blSd
£xXSfiQi' Csee annex)* is being submitted for the consideration and
approval of the fifth Conference of Afric.n Ministers of Social
Affairs* which will constitute the general strategy and framework
of measures for the implementation of tre hflcld-ECQflCflBfflfi_2i
aSUfla-MafiiCQiflfl-fliamfclMd-EaCSSflS i" Africa* countries during the
United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons 19£3-1S°2.
ECA/OAU/AMSA.V/18 Annex Page 01
1. Africa has an estimated 30 million disabled persons. The alarming rate of increase in the number of disabled persons prompted the UN General Assembly to proclaim 1961 as the International Year of Disabled Persons CIYDP) by resolution 21/123 of December 16* 1976.
2. lb«-WflCld-ecfiacdfflas-fti_4£liaQ-£aD£acDiD2.Ui5fitlad-EacsflQS cwpa) was subsequently adopted by th« United Nations General Assembly* by its resolution 37/52 of 3 December 1932. The reali2ation that the objec tives of the IYDP mould require more than one year to attain* led to
the proclamation of the United Nations Cecace of Disabled Persons1983-1992. Accordingly* the Decade would be tsed to implement WPA.
3. The establishment of the African Rehabilitation Institute for Disabled Persons CARD* during the Decade* marks a significant step
towards efforts to neet the needs of disatled persons in the region.
It is an important contribution to the implementation of WPA. In its role as a coordinating institution* it is expected that ARI will take the lead in the promotion and implementation cf the fllcififiQ-Bfiai2Qal
XI-
4. The distinction of the three basic corcepts of impairments* dis
ability and handicap has been made by the World Health Organization
(WHO) as follows: 1/
any loss or abnormality of psychological or anatomical structure or function.
an* restriction or lack (resulting from an
impairment) of ability to perform an activity in the tanner within tre range considered as nor«£l for a human teinc..
a disadvantage for a given individual
resulting from an impairment or disability*
that liftits or prevents the fulfilment of a role that is normal* depending on age* sex*
social and cultural factors for that individual.
5. Impairment relates to bedy injury or tc psychological abnormality while disability relates to functional ability of the person.
Handicap* on the other hand* is determined ty the relationship betueen the disabled persons and his/her physical -nd social environment. It is therefore* a relative term* and occurs when social* physical and
1930
cultural barriers restrict or prevent a perscn from taking part in opportunities open to other citizens.
6. The concepts of preventicns rehabilitation end equalization of op portunities are developed as relevant terns of action connected with disability and arQ defined as follows: 2/
£C8U8QliSD defined as "measures aimed at preventing the onset of mentals physical and sensory ispairnents (primary prevention) or at preventing impairment uher. it has occurred from having negative physicals psychological and social
consequences***
BsbafcililaiiflDi is a "seal-oriented anc ti»e-limited process aimed at enabling an impaired person to reach an optimum mentals physical and/or social -functional levels thus providing her or hia with the tools to change her or his life. It can involve aeasures interded to compensate for a loss of function or functional liiitation (for example by a technical aid) and ether measures intended to facilitate social adjustment or readjustment".
£aJ*aii2filiflD-fii_CCEfiCJ«CiiiSIS: is the "process through
which the general system of society sucr as the physical environments housing and transportations social and health servicess educational and work opportunities/ cultural and social life including spcrts and recreational facilities are made accessible to all**.
7. Appropriate measures are necessary in African countries at the na tional and regional levels to accelerate the implementation of WPA.
International action in support of national and regional activities is
also an important element. Accordingly/ the objective of the AfciCflQ fisaiQ0ll-ElflD_fif-AcliflD-fflC-Ciabl*d.EtC5flQ5 is tc promote the implemen
tation of WPA in African countries* through effective strategies and measures for the prevention of disability/ rehabilitations full participation and promotion of equality of discblec persons in social and
economic development of African countries.8. Assessment of the situation of disabled persens can be more realis tically made if data about disability on sucfc issues as the causes/
types and prevalence of disability are available in a continuous and
2/United Nations Decade of disabled Persons/ 19£3-1°92:
EtflflCiiit.fll-AfiUflu-tSuCiCuiui-CiSflblsd-EflCSSuS' Nev York, 1983s p.
3.
ECA/OAt/AMSA-V/18 Annex Page 03
systematic basis. Relevant policies and programmes can therefore bo properly directed to the specific problems o* the country or nhere they exists adjusted and revised to adapt to current socio-economic
conditions.
9.
- Collection of data on disability by:
(i) Inclusion of questions on disability ir. national censuses;
<ii) Conducting of national household survey;
<iii) Utilizing of national r«gisters* govorrment records* hospital records* those of non-gcvernaental organizations in the
country and those of the national association of disabled
persons as sources of data/(iv) Utilizing the community health centres as possible sources
of data at the rural level.- Prompt publication and dissemination of information collected;
- Utilizing of information in.programme planring and development
and in policy formulation.
Cb> SlfliflDal.AtliflQi
10. Regional agencies inducing non-goverr«ental^ inter-governmental and United Nations organizations should provide technical assistance to member States xn the methodological and analytical problems associated
the measurements concepts and analysis cf data on disability.
11-
- Assist in the training of human resources in tfr.e utilization of existing data/
- Provide technical assistance in standardization of data collected;
- Compile and analyse data of Member States to contribute to
regional assessment;- Carry out research on existing policies* programmes and facilities for disability prevention and rehabilitation of different member states;
- Assist in the publication and dissemination of information and data.
12. The United Nations and ttie International Coamunity should urge and assist member States in the development of a systematic collection of
data on disability.
13. Ecftflfi a*4-lfiI*UC**:
- Provide standardized definitions of concepts and methods;
- Publish and disseminate date and infomaticn at the global level;
- Provide guidance on the types of data necessary for useful
and comparable analysis*
- Provide financial assistance for th« establishtent of a data base on disability.
14* Greater effforts shoulc be exerted in the area of prevention.
Many major diseases and accicents especiall> pertaining to traffic and work hazards leading to disability ar^ preventable but coordinated programmes in all relevant sectors are reeded. National liberation uars/ civil wars and all types of aggression/ especially as a result of ifiSCibtid' are likewise ms.or causes of dissbility in the African region.
15.
- Intensify systematic vaccination to reach the remotest areas;
- Provide extensive network of health statiors tc reach the rural area that include referrals for special casts/'
- Integrate family planning irto primary health csre and promote the improvement of health of mother and child (MCH);
- Provide public education on sanitation and environmental care/
on nutrition and balanced diet/
- Encourage production and use of local products that can supply a balanced diet;
- Include basic lessons in disabilitiy prevertior in schools with emphasis on their common causes and on their avoidance/
- Enact and enforce legislations to elininat* treditional practices that leads to disability;
- Provide medical check-ups in schools and other institutions;
- Introduce and enforce measures for a good end healthy working condition;
- Intensify traffic and work place safety prcgrasmes;
- Promote peaceful co-existence among nations so es to avoid armed conflicts.
16. Each country should consider the adopticn of a national policy and plan for the prevention and control of disabilities which should be reviewed periodically to be £ble to assess the progress and to be able to take corrective actions where and when necessary.
17. Cooperation among' countries in. the region (TCDC and ECDC) is necessary* as certain diseases more prevalent in some areas than others* can be fought with Joint efforts fcy the countries concerned.
Various strategies involved in basic health care could be shared among countries*
ECA/OAuVAMSA.V/18 Annex
Page 05
- Organic s.-inars cr -orkshcps at th. r.Si.«alL and/or sub-r.giona!
- Encouras. th. d.v.lop-.nt and us.
6fit is a aajor cause of disability.
(c)
th« nu«ber of the disabled in Africa
20.riw«r blindness^ leprosyx bilhartzia and others.
- Provision of supportive ««asar«s to put an end to
21. Rehabilitation enco-passes a multiple progression of "^^es such as early detection, diagnosis^ care and tre*t«e*t, counselling, train
a
of the faaily and the couunity at large.
i«sStution*based and co««««ity-ba«ed care *o«ld be »ore suitable to
the needs of the region.
23.
- Integrate, wherever possible, rehabilitation services in
existing coauKtfiity development services; m
- Strengthen referral services for special esses of i«pair«ents.
Sensitize community responsibility and auareness to the needs of disabled persons*
Encourage family participation in the rehabilitation process by providing training and support*
Provide transportation services for easier access to services;
Encourage production of loCclly-made prostfcetics and equipment that are simple/ practical 2nd affordable 1or cisabled persons;
Provide aids and equipment free to poor disabled persons;
Provide incentives to trade schools and technical colleges for students to invent equipment adapted to country's needs and technology development;
Include repairs of cheap technology and prcsthetic equipment in vocational training of disabled persons;
Develop training programmes relevant to available employ*
ment opportunities in the rural areas and in the informal sector*
24. Technical co-operation and exchange of information is vital when one considers the meagre resources available for the different rehabilitation services that £ country must f-ave.
25. ecflflfl 5sd.lfl4iUC.S5:
- Organization of inter-regional seminars anc workshops for exchange of experience* information snd elaboration of rational programmes;
- Promotion of an efficient technical co-operaticr at the regional and sub-regional levels on the production cf prosthetic appliances and aids usin* locally-available resources;
* Organization of a regional task force to assess the needs and situation of -disabled persons;
* Co-ordination of activities relating to disability by regional institutions and organizations.
26.
- Encouragement and support in the development of research on appropriate technology in aids and equipment;
- Organization of seminars at the international level for technical cooperation and exchange of information;
- Provision of technical and financial assistance to programmes*
services and activities relating to disability.
27* A person is handicapped if he or she is not able to participate fully as a contributor and beneficiary of services available to the rest of the population such ss family life* e«plcyment* housing* social security* participation in the social and pclitical activities* access to public amenities and other services. Discriminatory practices and
ECA/OAU/AMSA.V/18
Annex
Page 07
r«f«r«nc«s are too often major factors ir hindering the full participation and intesration of disabled persons into society.
Disabled women* children and the elderly are doufcly handicapped in this respect. Full participation can only take place if barriers are eliminated or reduced- Relevant policies anc political commitments are
vital in the removal of these barriers.(a)
28.
- Enactment of legislation to protect the rights of disabled persons*
including disabled women of all ages;
- Abolition of discriminatory practices especially in education*
training and employment;
- Allocation of funds in the rational budget for prevention and
rehabilitation services;- Establishment of a system to allot* free access of the disabled or at a reduced rate to social and public services such as schools*
health services* transportation* etc .*■
- Provision of special reduced rates of taxation for disabled persons;
- Increased participation in cultural* recreational* religious
and sports activities*29.
Ensuring that planning of human settlement particularly as regards their accessibility* will consider the nee«s of disabled persons*
Modifying entrances to public buildings anc services;
Providing support services to enable their independent living.
30.
- Coverage of disabled persons Biith regard tc any form of benefit*
income supplement* maintenance and social security available to the
rest of the population- Inclusion in social security codes of:
<i) prevention of accidents and health hazards at work*
<ii) protection of the rights of workers «ro have been victims of accidents at work a&ainst arbitrary dismissal*
(iii) provision of insurance coverage for workers against accidents
and health hazards at itork.31 -
Provision of flexibility in the rules and regulations or schools to alloa easier integration of disabled in the school system;
Establishment of special education for special types of disability
which cannot be integrated into the general education.system*Encouragement and assistance to disabled children to avail
themselves of the opportunities for education and training*- Inclusion of research and other aspects of dissfcility into the
curricula of schools of higher learning;
- Integration of the education of disabled pirsors into the overall system of national education;
- Provision of support and training to parents tc assist in the educational process of their disabled chile.
32.
- Integration of disabled youth and adults ir vocational skill training institutes;
- Elimination of discriminatory practices uiith regards to employment of qualified disabled persons;
- Sensitization of employers snd the general public to the employment and integration of disabled persons in their tucrking environment;
- Allocation of a quota for disabled persons in fceth government and private establishments;
- Development of training programmes that cocld benefit a wider group of disabled persons in the community;
- development of production workshops for the employment of disabled persons;
- Ratification of ILC Convention No. 159 by sll i«nb«r States.
33.
- Coordination of cultural anc sports activities sponsored by private and religious groups to enable wider participation of disabled persons;
- Adaptation of recreational facilities and equipments;
- Provision of pysical education in the trairing institutions for the disabled;
- Organization of competitions in culture anc spcrts at the national level.
34.
- Provision of advisory services in the formulation of policies and programmes or the strengthening of existing ones;
- Promotion of technical cooperation in the education and training of disabled persons;
- Organization of competitions in culture anc spcrts at the regional level;
- Sensitization of donor countries to provide technical and financial assistnee to nationals sub-resioral and regional programmes for disabled persons;
- Organization of seminars* meetings and research, on disability to promote frequent exchansc of information and experience;
- Monitoring of cooperation between various institutions and associations of disabled persons in the recion.
ECA/OAU/AMSA.V/18 Annex Page 09
35.
~ Organization of meetings anc seminars to fester exchange of information at the international level*
- Organization of competitions in culture anc sports at the international level*
- Facilitation of the testing of community-based rehabilitation in African communities;
- Provision of technical and financial assistance in the promotion of services* research and manpower development in the field of disability.
(a)
36. Programmes and serices lor disabled persons can be made more ef fective and representative if disabled persons are given the oppor- tunitiy to participate in their planning and implementation. Through a strong association to act as a pressure grcup* their participation in the decisions that concerns their oum cause could be enhanced.
(a)
Governments should support end assist in tre establishment of one umbrella national association of disabled persons uniting all various snail associations of cisabled persons for the purpose of:
ii) identifying their n*«cs and priorities;
(ii) assisting in the drafting of legislation concerning them;
<iii* contributing significantly to the overall planning of programmes and services for their benefit;
Civ) creating a comprehensive register in the national and local levels as to the names* addresses* dates of birth* sex*
type of disability* occupation* level of education* etc.;
(v) undertaking "self-help" activities fcr the benefit of the members*
Government should make budgetary allocations tc organizations of disabled persons and encourage activities that mill raise funds to allou them to carry out the above-mentioned tasks;
National government must prcvide assistance in the periodic orga nization of seminars of the national association of disabled per sons to assess the progress on the implementation of the regional plan of action.
(b) 38.
- Promotion of tha creation of federations o1 national associations at the regional and international levels with political and
financial support from the countries concerned*
- ARI's Technical Advisory Committee should te represented by an officer of the regional federation of disatled persons;
- Adoption of an African Charter for Disablec Persons*
- Establishment of a Pan-African Union of Disabled Persons,
39- Different levels of staff training is nsedec to bo able to provide the different levels of services for the growing number of disabled persons. Emphasis on rehabilitation services shculd increasingly shift towards the community level. The state shoulc offer programmes that encourage career prospects to trainers of cisafcled persons comparable to those holding other Jobs ir the similar fields.
(a)
- Provision of staff training prosrammes at ell levels for the various types of disability* includins the trailing of district
and community-level workers;
- establishment of simple and short training courses to provide
adequate number of staff for basic health services;- Offering of incentives to trainers in terms of career prospects*
- Inclusion of prevention of oisability in tre cere curriculum
of staff training;- Development of a curricula «nd teaching materials in special
education.
(b)
41. Proposed measures;
- Exchange of expertise** experience and information in staff training* particularly in the development cf curricula .and teaching materials;
- Opening of training facilities to countries which do not have them on a TCDC basis;
- Promotion and coordination fcy regional institutions and organizations of regional cooperation in the development of
manpower in disability.
The establishment of ABI is a* iaportant step to»ards regional cooperation in the training of manpower for cisafcility prevention
amd rehabilitation in the resion.
(c) laiacoalifiDal-AcJiflo
42. Financial and technical assistance and support will be creatly needed from the international organizations for the training of
staff in the African region.
