January 2008: The Human Right approach | DPI Europe | Jean-Luc Simon

The DPI World Council Meeting in Latin Panama, July 22 - 24, 2008, Panama, Panama

Wed, 30 Jul 2008 22:15:23 +0200

UN Convention News

Wed, 17 Oct 2007 23:31:52 +0200

Declarations and reservations
List of countries that have signed and ratified the UN Convention for the Right of people with a disability

What is DPI?

Sat, 13 Oct 2007 18:14:27 +0200

Disabled Peoples' lnternational (DPI) is the first successful effort of persons with disabilities to create an internationally united voice.

During a world congress of Rehabilitation International in Winnipeg, Canada, on June 23, 1980, 250 persons with a wide variety of disabilities from 40 countries unanimously agreed on the need for a world coalition of persons with disabilities. An Ad Hoc Planning Committee was established to discuss the philosophy, organization and structure for a world organization. The Committee included representatives from both developed and developing countries. On June 25, the Committee presented its findings and struck a Steering Committee with two representatives each from seven regions of the world. A year later, at its first World Congress in Singapore, Disabled Peoples' International was officially established.

A major goal of DPI is the full participation of all persons with disabilities in the mainstream of life, particularly those in developing countries who form the vast majority of the world's 650 million persons with disabilities. DPI recognizes that poverty not only leads to disability, but also allows few concessions for the needs and aspirations of persons with disabilities. ln many rural areas, where up to 80 per cent of the general population live, services are rare. Persons with disabilities are often excluded and discriminated against. Though DPI's goal of full participation is admittedly a goal of enormous proportions, it is 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 persons with disabilities in their own social and economic development, as well as in that of their home countries. Today, the DPI cross-disability network has 135 national members, over half of whom are in developing nations. Any organization controlled by persons with disabilities 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 DPl, the voice of persons with disabilities everywhere has already made a significant impact, not only as regards disability concerns, but also issues of justice, human rights, peace and international development.

At the Centre of the name "Disabled Peoples' International" is the word people. In fact, people are the centre of all activities that DPI undertakes. The yardstick for success is increasing opportunities for education, training and employment, as well as the adoption of legislation and policies in favour of persons with disabilities. DPI's success will only be complete when women and men with disabilities enjoy the equal rights and opportunities of their fellow citizens.

DPI's motto is "A voice of our own". DPI believes that persons with disabilities should participate directly in dialogue and decision-making processes that affect the lives of persons with disabilities. DPI leaders have lobbied for the support of nearly all the major government development agencies, and have had regular meetings with leading United Nations (UN) officials, including the Secretaries- General and the High Commissioners for Human Rights. DPI has also worked with the World Banks and other multinational aid and development agencies.

The following are some highlights of DPI's achievements since 1980. These successes are replicated and built upon on a daily basis by the continuing work of DPI regions. 1980s

o Peace March in Tokyo

o Obtained ECOSOC consultative status with the UN in 1981 and began work on the UN World Programme of Action

o Fought and won a case challenging Japanese legislation which required only one doctor to incarcerate a person with mental health issues

o Became the first disability international non-governmental organization (INGO) to adopt a policy on the equal representation of women with disabilities in its organization

o Urged the Commission for Social Development to appoint a Special Rapporteur on Disability

o Took a leading role both regionally and internationally in the midterm evaluation of the Decade of Disabled Persons, which led to the development of the "UN Standard Rules on the Equalization of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities." DPI was also very involved in the formulation of the Standard Rules themselves. 1990s

o Worked with the World Health Organization on revision of the International Classification of lmpairments, Disabilities and Handicaps (lClDH) to become the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (lCF) and the adoption of the social model of disability at that level

o Was the subject of a book by Diane Driedger, The Lasf Civil Rights Movemenf, published by Hurst & Company and St. Martin's Press (1989) o Took a leading role in "lndependence '92:'Vancouver, and the start of the initiative to form an Amnesty International" model of data collection on disability and human rights violations. DPI funded the initial research and the initiative was then passed to DPI-Europe who, after further research and legal consultation, supported the setting up of the Violations Database and the creation of a new organization called Disability Awareness in Action (DAA).

o Was the first disability INGO to officially call itself a human rights organization and to be an active member of the Panel of Experts to the Special Rapporteur on Disability (and at that time was the only INGO to provide representation only from the developing world)

o Took a leading role in the Asia-Pacific Decade of Disabled People and the African Decade of Disabled People

o A key player in the formulation of an Inter-American Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities

o Provided substantive input into many of the UN Summits, including for example the Social Development, Earth, Women (both Nairobi and Beijing), and Human Rights and Habitat summits

Since 2000

o Was instrumental in the development of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, including as a member of the Working Group that produced the draft text that became the basis for negotiations

o Organized a World Assembly in Sapporo, Japan, that brought almost 4,000 delegates from more than 100 countries

o Organized a World Summit in Winnipeg, Canada, that brought almost 2,000 delegates from around the world

o Developed partnerships with disability research centres around the world on employment, health, education and economy

o Encouraged the establishment of the Organization of the Americas' (OAS) Decade of Disabled Persons, the African Decade on Disability, and the second Asia Pacific Decade on Disability.

o With the goal of sharing knowledge and experiences, organized and supported regional capacity building initiatives involving grassroots leaders, government officials and international NGOs

o Promoted the participation of leaders with dlsabilities in the political life of their countries DPI Headquarters is located in Winnipeg, Canada, with Regional Development Offices in Peru, Antigua, ltaly, Thailand and Mauritania. DPI funds a Regional Development Officer (RDO) in each of these sites whose role it is to liaise among DPI member organizations in their respective regions and co-ordinate essential activities identified by members.

Full Members

Wed, 18 Jul 2007 09:22:11 +0200

Full Members:

Albania: Albania Disability Forum (ADF)

Contact Person: Merita Myftari

Azerbaijan: The Society "For International Cooperation of Disabled People" of Azerbaijan

Contact Person: Davud Rahimov

Belarus: Belarussian Society of the Handicapped

Contact Person: Daniel Vladomirsky

Belgium: KVG - Katholieke Vereniging Gehandikapten

Contact Person: Jean Paul Meirens

Bulgaria: Union of Disabled People in Bulgaria

Contact Person: Krassimir Kotzev

Croatia: Croatian Union of Associations of Persons with Disabilities

Contact Person: Marica Miric

Czech Republic: Czech National Disability Council (CNDC)

Contact Person: Veronica Purova

Estonia: Independent Living Estonia

Contact Person: Jaak Vosa

Finland: DPI Finland, National Association of the Disabled c/o Invalidilitt ry/SIU

Contact Person: Pekka Hatinen

France: Groupement des Personnes Handicapées (GFPH)

Contact Person : Jean Luc Simon

Germany: ISL E.V. (Interessenvertretung Selbstbestimmt Leven Deutschland, E.V)

Contact Person: Dinah Radtke

Greece: Paraplegics Association of Greece

Contact Person: Evagelia Kontargoeogaki

Hungary: National Federation of Disabled Persons' Associations (MEOSZ)

Contact Person: Eva Caesar

Iceland: The Organization of Disabled in Iceland OBI

Contact Person: Gardar Sverrison

Ireland: Irish Wheelchair Association

Contact Person: Molly Buckley

Italy: DPI Italia

Contact Person: Rita Barbuto

Latvia: The Latvia Umbrella Body for Disability Organizations – Sustento

Contact Person: Gunta Anca

Norway: FFO - Funksjonshemmedes Fellesorganisasjon - Norwegian Federation of Organizations of Disabled People

Contact Person: Liv Arum

Portugal: Associaçao Portuguesa de Deficientes

Contact Person: Humberto Santos

Romania: The National Organization of Disabled People in Romania (ONPHR)

Contact Person: Francisc Simon

Russia: All Russian Society of Disabled People

Contact Person: Marina Bashkirova

Slovak Republic: Alliance of Organizations of Disabled Peoples Slovakia

Contact Person: Maria Orgonasova

Spain: Confederacion Coordinadora Estatal de Minusvalidos Fisicos De Espana (COCEMFE)

Contact Person: Emilio Sàez

Switzerland: AGILE - Behinderten Selbsthilfe Schweiz

Contact Person: Barbara Marti

Ukraine: DPI Kharkov

Contact Person: Azubuike E. Wokocha

United Kingdom: BCODP

Contact Person: Mark Harrison

Yugoslavia: The Coordination Board of the Organizations of Disabled People in Yugoslavia

Contact Person: Gordana Rajkov

Associated Members:

Macedonia: Polios Plus - Movement Against Disability

Contact Person: Svonko Shavreski

Action Plan 2005-2009

Wed, 11 Jul 2007 23:17:59 +0200

DPI Europe

Action Plan 2005-2009

Approved in Regional Assembly in Bucarest, Romania, 16/19 June 2005

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DPI-Europe is a human rights organisation to promote human rights approach to building and empower inclusive societies for all persons. The 45 millions of people with disabilities in the European Union and 25 millions in other European countries are the poorest of the poor, they live in conditions of exclusion, violation of human rights, barrier and obstacles to freedom and participation as full citizens. The 56% of children with disabilities (more then 1.300.000 students) in EU are segregated in a special schools, more then 80% of adults with disabilities are unemployed, more then 95% of services are inaccessible, about 2.500 large institutes segregated in EU about 500.000 persons with disabilities.

Human Rights strategy is based on inclusive actions and policies and inclusive culture and languages. To promote respect and empower human rights we need affirm the essential diversity of humankind, promote a bioethics approach on disability based on human rights respect, non discrimination, equal opportunities and full participation, develop universal design, guarantee independent living and social inclusion.

Antidiscrimination and equal opportunities

The non discrimination is a way which offers to us to discuss with the society not on a medical basis as disabled person, but as citizens who are discriminated because we can not get public transportations or areas, because we don’t have the same opportunities to be educate, to get a job, to create a family, to choice a place to live … etc, because we are what we are: Human being with specific abilities. There is discrimination when someone who rolls with a wheelchair can’t use public transportations, when someone who read with his fingers can’t find brail books at school, when someone who speaks with his hands can’t use TV because there is not sub title or when an adult with learning difficulties is rejected from the job market.

To prevent all kind of discriminations against peoples with a disability, the members of the European DPI Region decide to:

1. Build a coalition with the other discriminated groups like women, gays and lesbians, immigrated workers …

2. Develop an action on the issue of the political representation of disabled peoples, discuss and adopt some proposal for the building and the financial support of independent representations of disabled peoples as consumers of services.

3. Initiate communications and trainings for a better access for all to all.

4. Organize a network of trainers who are living with a disability and enforce their participation as trainers in a maximum of training courses of professionals, in priority in the education and the builder of the material environment.

5. Give a special attention to the discrimination of children, in particular in education.

6. Prevent all kinds of discriminations between people’s who are recognised as disabled

7. Identify legislations which introduce discriminations and lobby to change them.

8. Lobby the European Council to enforce financial supports to the non EU countries

9. Organize public demonstrations against all kinds of discriminations of peoples with different abilities, and show some understandable examples of discriminations that non disabled people can experiment.

10. Disseminate information on the rights of all citizens to be none discriminate and on the legal tools and procedures which can be used.

11. After the success of the introduction of a non discrimination article in the European treaty of Amsterdam, each DPI/E member is encouraged to study the national constitution of his country with the objective to identify if and how disabled people’s are taking in account in it.

Bioethics

Bioethics activity include all kind of field involving approach on disability, concerning cultural vision, respect of human rights and quality of life of persons with disabilities. Bioethics issue are so not only related to traditional field (biomedicine as genetics, euthanasia, etc.) but all professional and technical activities concerning person with disabilities (rehabilitation, social support, employment, education, etc.).

The activities are at two level:

DPI Europe

1. Elaborating an Informative set to distribute to national assemblies

2. Supporting the European working group and elaborate projects and initiative

3. Prepare a Bioethics Manifesto on Disability, based on human rights and social model, to orientate the profession in a correct disability framework

National Assemblies

4. Collecting and distributing to NGOs, individuals and other stakeholder information on bioethics

5. Collaborate with Universities, training centres and research to promote the correct vision of disabled people condition

6. Creating a work group

7. Promote training on bioethics for persons with disability and disabled people organisation on the base of DPI-Europe training format

Independent living

1. DPI should keep focus on Independent living approach as a human right and advocate for policies that would create condition for it.

2. DPI should continue to work on the attitudes and perception changes, and encourage national assembles to work on awareness raising on independent living approach

3. Flow of information should be provided to enable disabled people to better understand and clarify the concept and principles of Independent Living Philosophy, particularly in the countries where this concept is just emerging

4. All participants agreed about differences that exist between western and eastern European countries, and urged DPI to support countries that are less developed (like Albania where even enabling aids do not exist in appropriate level) to work towards creation of preconditions (like accessible environment, transport or PA service) for achievement of Independent living

5. DPI should encourage different pilot project at national or local level (like pilot PA services programme) to enable disabled people to get experience in exercising independent living and empower them to advocate for it

6. For that purpose we need to organise more capacity building seminars and exchange visits where disabled people will learn about independent living skills and peer consultancy

7. All participants realized that each individual needs are different as well as their level of dependence or independence, but agreed that action should be directed towards satisfying the needs of the most vulnerable and most severely disabled people in all areas, as then the needs of all others will be possible to satisfy

8. DPI should support the national organizations to teach our society that differences exist and to advocate for the societies to develop systems of support that would enable us to stay different and function in the given society on equal bases

9. Participants also agreed to support ENIL’s campaign in European Parliament for development of Europe wide policy on independent living and personal assistants

Women, youth and immigrants

1. Spread a correct vision of double discrimination condition of disabled women

2. develop mechanisms in the movement to fight discrimination against disabled women including this principles:

- Realise gender balance

- Empower women

- Organise capacity training

- Make disabled women visible in mainstreaming

- Include issues of disabled women in all programmes and documents

- Fight for human rights of disabled women

3. make contacts with women’s movements and make them understand and support issues of disabled women

4. strengthen networking of disabled women

5. support the Manifesto of the fourth European Women’s Conference as a Manifesto of DPI Europe as framework of national assemblies work

6. make issues of disabled women visible in UN Convention

7. make single mothers and families of disabled children visible in our work

8. look more closely at the situation of refugees, displaced persons and immigrants, fight for their human rights and make them visible in relevant documents

Inclusive education

1. Asking inclusive setting in education for children with disabilities in all countries

2. Defend Inclusive education in the UN Convention and in the session of Ad Hoc Committee, lobbying governments in all countries

3. Collecting report of violation of human rights and violence suffered by children with disabilities in special schools

4. In the countries where only special schools exist, asking for the freedom for parents to choose an inclusive education for children with disabilities, supported by adequate services and tools

5. Asking to change the DPI position paper on inclusive education, discussing in the world Council of DPI the inclusion of deaf, blind and deaf/blind students in the regular schools

6. Collect and disseminate testimonies of students with disabilities, parents and teachers on inclusive education

7. Spreading exemplary cases of good and appropriate practice on inclusive education with the contribution of universities, research institutes, publishing companies

8. Promote the debate on the Bologna Treaty and its implications on inclusive educations

9. During the monitoring of Convention of Rights of Children, UN Standard rules and other Human Rights instruments, to prepare in all countries a report of the conditions in education of children with disabilities

10. Elaborate a demanding campaign addressed to the governments focused on: requirement of great and better investment in inclusive education system, basic and permanent training with quality for teachers and assistants, accessible schools

Universal Design

1. introduce universal design in all social, economical, cultural plan and services

2. promote consortium on Universal design, including disabled people organisations, universities, institutions, technicians and other stakeholder

3. prepare and spread an information set on Universal design

4. produce a training course for all stakeholder

5. support projects and programme at local level

6. collect and spread good practices

Networking

1. Develop a continue networking with National Assemblies, promoting periodical national report on the national assembly activities and disabled people condition

2. Elaborate a new DPI-Europe constitution based on human rights and participation of national assemblies in the European activities

3. Support the offices in Lamezia Terme, Budapest and Albacete, as networking offices with different task; support the job of the chair with adequate secretariat

4. Recommend that in each national assembly one person should be appointed to be responsible for collating and disseminating information, ensuring efficient communication and networking within DPI Europe and to send electronic information to local NGO’s and individuals

5. Define a periodical electronic newsletter collecting information of the national assembly activities and disabled people condition in Europe

6. Developing and managing a website of regional information within the format of DPI world site

Who is doing what

Wed, 11 Jul 2007 22:51:58 +0200

Who is doing what

DPI European Region Committee Officers

President Jean-Luc Simon chairperson@dpi-europe.org

Past President Giampiero Griffo giambatman@tin.it

Secretary Dinah Radke dinah.radtke@zsl-erlangen.de

Alternate Secretary Anna Luisa Sesudo info@apd-sede.rcts.pt

Treasurer Francisq Simon office@integration.ro

Alternative Treasurer Marcellino Escobar cocemfe@cocemfe.es

Vice President on Independent Living Gordana Rajkov gordanar@eunet.yu

Vice President on Non Discrimination Lajos Hegedus dpi-ceer@freemail.hu

Information Officer Frank Mulkahy fmulcahy@iol.ie

Regional Developement Office Italia Rita Barbuto dpi_europe@dpitalia.org

World Council Members

Giampiero Griffo (Italy) DPI-Italy giambatman@tin.it

Dinah Radtke (Germany) - ISL dinah.radtke@zsl-erlangen.de

Lajos Hegedus (Hungary) - MEOSZ dpi-ceer@freemail.hu

Kalle Konkkola (Finland) - Treshold DPI Finland kalle.konkkola@kynnys.fi

Frank Mulkahy (Ireland) fmulcahy@iol.ie

Emilio Saez (Substitute) (Spain) – Cocemfe emilio@amiab.com

Delegates to the European Disability Forum committees

Giampiero Griffo Human Rights Committee

Jean-Luc Simon Employment, social inclusion and social protection policies

Marica Miric Universal Access

Emilia Napolitano Target group Disabled women Committee

Alena Kanova Target group Youth Committee

Zanda Lace Target group Chronic Illness

DPI e-update

Wed, 11 Jul 2007 10:29:54 +0200

News about our rights and best ways to defend it:

Networking and empowerment.

Bioethics Issues

Wed, 11 Jul 2007 09:29:03 +0200

Many disabled people are only alive today because of scientific progress generally and new medical techniques in particular, so of course we wish to promote and sustain such advances where these lead to benefits for everyone. But we don't want to see research directed at denying us the opportunity to be born and to be alive, but at improving the quality of our lives like for everybody.

Contacts

Tue, 10 Jul 2007 21:20:47 +0200

January 2008: The Human Right approach | DPI Europe | Jean-Luc Simon

The DPI World Council Meeting in Latin Panama, July 22 - 24, 2008, Panama, Panama

UN Convention News

What is DPI?

Full Members

Action Plan 2005-2009

Who is doing what

DPI e-update

Bioethics Issues

Archive

Contacts