Regional Workshop on Comprehensive National Plan of Action on Disability - Towards the Mid-point Review of the Biwako Millennium Framework for Action towards an Inclusive, Barrier-free and Rights-based Society for Persons with Disabilities in Asia and the Pacific (BMF)
Bangkok, Thailand, 19-21 October 2005

"Bangkok Declaration on National Action Planning and Disability-Inclusive Development"

 21 October 2005

We, the participants representing Governments, intergovernmental organizations, and civil society, including disabled persons organizations, as well as the private sector met at Bangkok from 19 to 21 October 2005 at the UNESCAP Regional Workshop on Comprehensive National Plan of Action on Disability; towards the Mid-point Review of the Biwako Millennium Framework for Action towards an Inclusive, Barrier-free and Rights-based Society for Persons with Disabilities in Asia and the Pacific (BMF),

Having recalled:

The United Nations Millennium Declaration, adoptedin September 2000,[1] whose eight development goals include eradication of extreme poverty and hunger, achievement of universal primary education, and development of a global partnership for development;

The Biwako Millennium Framework for Action towards an Inclusive, Barrier-free and Rights-based Society for Persons with Disabilities in Asia and the Pacific (BMF),[2] whose targets incorporate Millennium Development Goals in its priority areas of education and poverty alleviation and whose strategies urge Governments to develop and adopt a national plan of action to implement all of these goals;

Having considered:

The 2005 World Summit outcome, adopted in September 2005,[3] which recognizes the need to guarantee the full enjoyment of the rights of persons with disabilities without discrimination;

The decision of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Pacific in 2005 calling upon members and associate members to renew their commitment to the implementation of the Biwako Millennium Framework (BMF) in advance of the mid-point review, in 2007, and encouraging the promotion of disability-inclusive international and regional cooperation;[4]

The work of Ad Hoc Committee on a Comprehensive and Integral International Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights and Dignity of Persons with Disabilities; [5]

The Regional Workshop on Monitoring the Implementation of the Biwako Millennium Framework for Action towards an Inclusive, Barrier-free and Rights-based Society for Persons with Disabilities in Asia and the Pacific (BMF), during which establishment and development of indicators of progress in implementing BMF were considered.

We have met to consider progress, issues encountered and options to further implement the goals of and commitments to BMF and to exchange views on key issues concerning national action planning and realization of disability-inclusive development,

In the light of our plenary discussions, interactive dialogue and group work, we have noted:

1. the strong support for the goals of and commitments to BMF, which is evident in policy and programme initiatives of governments and the many activities of civil society organizations, particularly by organizations of persons with disabilities;
2. the continued progress in implementing the targets and strategies of BMF, which is reflected in priorities for action identified in response to the relative stage of development, and needs and capacities of persons with disabilities in countries;
3. the vital importance of international cooperation in relief, rehabilitation and redevelopment, which should provide accessibility with reasonable accommodation for all, both in continued efforts to address the Indian Ocean tsunami of December 2004 and in response to the tragic earthquake of October 2005 affecting India and Pakistan, that resulted insignificant increases in the number of persons with disabilities in the region;

We stress the essential role of disability-inclusive development in both achieving the goals of the Millennium Declaration and promoting and realising the human rights,  enhanced standards of living, well-being and human security of persons with disabilities as set forth in BMF; and recognize the importance of the following actions:

1. linking micro-level action with macro-level strategies and policies;
2. promoting public-private partnership at all levels;
3. ensuring current and reliable national data and statistics on disability for accurate analysis, planning, programming, budgeting and evaluation, building national capacities with a view to identifying quantifiable and verifiable disability-sensitive measures of progress;
4. promoting participatory monitoring and evaluation of national action plans, based on full and effective involvement of persons with disabilities;

We thus recommend:

1. governments, which have not already done so, are urged to formulate immediately and adopt a comprehensive national action plan, as set forth in implementation strategy 1 of BMF;
2. national action plans, as presented in the attached “Bangkok recommendations on national action planning and disability-inclusive development; towards an inclusive, barrier-free and rights-based society for persons with disabilities”, shall incorporate time-bound targets and disability-sensitive indicators of performance and outcomes;
3. national action plans shall direct special attention to women and girls with disabilities, children and young adults with disabilities, persons with multiple disabilities, and persons who experienced disability as a result of natural disasters or conflicts;
4. governments, which have not already done so, are further urged to establish and develop mechanisms, by the mid-point of the Decade, in 2007, to facilitate analysis, planning and coordination of disability as a horizontal consideration in the activities of all ministries, departments and agencies with a view to efficiently and effectively implementing national development goals and objectives and producing outcomes that benefit both persons with and without disabilities;
5. resource allocation decisions by governments, development cooperation agencies and development finance institutions – both multi- and bi-lateral, as well as the private sector shall, on a predictable and sustainable basis, shall promote accessibility to the general systems of society and removal of barriers;
6. resource allocation decisions shall reflect performance, results and outcomes in terms of improved standards of living, well-being and human security for all persons with and without disabilities on equal basis;
7. governments in partnership with civil society organizations, organizations of persons with disabilities in particular, shall take practical measures to promote and support implementation of national action plans, which may include creating or reinforcing national legislation and administrative guidance, and organising public awareness and public information efforts concerning disability issues in accessible formats;
8. international cooperation shall provide, on request, support for building and strengthening national capacities and developing partnerships between governments, civil society as well as the private sector, for national action to implement the BMF targets and goals and further achieve the development goals of the Millennium Declaration for all.

We therefore enjoin Governments to take appropriate action towards the full realization of goals and commitments of BMF.

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Annex

"Bangkok Recommendations on National Action Planning and Disability-Inclusive Development"

Annex I

Issues and recommendations on national action planning on disability

Issues:

1. Securing financial resources to ensure the implementation of the plan;
2. Lack of measures (i.e., training) for  persons with disabilities to play key roles in formulating, implementing and monitoring national action plans of any kind;
3. Lack of political awareness and will regarding BMF;
4. Devolution of implementation to localities-localising implementation process;
5. Poor/ lack of inter- ministerial/departmental coordination;
6. Lack of disability inclusive ODA (Official Development Assistance) policy;
7. Poor involvement of corporate bodies throughout the process;
8. Lack of and poor enforcements of relevant legislations;
9. Inadequate/superficial target setting;
10. Lack of accountable monitoring bodies;
11.  Lack of disability-sensitive human resources;
12.  Lack of funding for research relating to issue on disability.

Recommendations:

1. Setting time frame for implementation of the plan;
2. Mobilizing resources on sustainable and predictable basis;
3. Linking disability policy to I/NGOs, DPOs, and at all levels of government;
4. Mobilization of governmental and non-governmental resources;
5. Ensure involvement of all ministries in coordination of policy implementation;
6. Clear identification of national priorities on disability issues;
7. Translating priorities into measurable objectives;
8. Ensure participation of DPOs in overall monitoring process;
9. Capacity building of effective administration;
10. Development of partnerships and networking among civil society organizations, including organizations of persons with disabilities;
11. Ensuring persons with disabilities taking the position of decision- making at a higher level;
12. Consolidation of fragmented disability movements;
13. Evaluation of outcomes influence the decision on further resource allocation;
14. Effective political engagement and representation;
15. Allocation of  fund and facilities for research on disability issues;
16. Engaging and gaining commitment of private sector;
17. National action plan explicitly stating BMF’s links to national development plan such as PRSP.

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Annex II

Reasons and Strategies for Disability-inclusive Development
Why is Disability Inclusive Development?

1. Disability inclusive development: Primary responsibility of government – illustrate what society will gain – enhancement of quality of life of persons with disabilities/ community convince government;
2. Disability inclusive development would enlarge consumer base for market & contribute to overall economy of country;
3. Encourage full participation and empowerment of persons with disabilities  in all      aspects of society – to shift  from dependency to  independence to take responsibility for own life & contribute to the development of the  community & society;
4. Improve enjoyment of human rights & freedom by persons with disabilities.

Strategies to Ensure Disability Inclusive Development:

1. Institute formal mechanism for participation of persons with disabilities and parent associations in policy planning, and monitoring at all levels of govt. from micro-macro;
2. For inclusive development all decision making bodies at all levels of the government, including Parliament should have a representative of the disabled with wide experience in the rights & development issues;
3. Development professionals and experts from the disability sector should work in close co-ordination for disability inclusive development programmes & schemes of the government;
4. Government should incorporate disability dimensions in mainstream policy and programmes for women, children, youth and older persons;
5. All ministries & departments responsible for infrastructure development and public services should institute a permanent mechanism to advice disability inclusive measures & shall review the accessibility of infrastructure;
6. Govt. should increase awareness & capacity in disability issues of all development workers, administrators  &  field functionaries;
7. The academic sector should introduce formal & non-formal programmes in disability & development & human rights;
8. All bilateral & multi-lateral initiatives should include a disability dimension for full inclusion;
9. The government should strengthen self help organizations of the disabled by allocating budget for training in development planning, human rights & monitoring & evaluation of policy – such training programmes should also target awareness about bi & multi lateral programmes, new laws & schemes;
10. Systematically raise awareness & build capacity of the Ministry of Finance, Planning, Foreign Affairs/ External Affairs to ensure disability inclusive development;
11. A multi-pronged strategy should be deployed to promote employment of persons with disabilities in the formal & non-formal sectors. Appropriate legislation, preferential funding, credit schemes & other measures should be put in place;
12. To ensure disability-inclusive development representation through affirmative action schemes, anti-discrimination, reasonable accommodation measures and should be ensured in all services, jobs in government, the government aided sector including the private sector;
13. Govt. should develop & disseminate guidelines on Disability inclusive development;
14. To create awareness of advantages of inclusive development for both of persons with disabilities & society at large. Models of good practices collected and should be shared with public & development agencies & civil society organizations.
15. To sustain inclusive development all community institutions where services; goods & products are delivered should be made fully accessible to persons with disabilities;
16. All employer associations, trade unions, federations & development consortiums & co-operate federations should have a disability adviser and ideally a permanent member in these institutions for the interests of persons with disabilities;
17. Disability inclusive development should be achieved through the introduction of special disability programmes and by incorporating a disability perspective in all the mainstream developmental activities of the country and such initiatives should be supported by disability focused budget as well as special budget within all these sect oral programmes & schemes;
18. Government should ensure all international agreements & the monitoring reports clearly reflect the disability status.

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[1] General Assembly resolution 55/2 of 8 September 2005

[2] ESCAP Commission resolution 58/4 22 May 2002

[3] General Assembly resolution 60/1 of 16 September 2005

[4] ESCAP Commission Resolution 61/8 of 18 May 2005

[5] Pursuant to General Assembly resolution 56/168 of 19 December 2001

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