Rule 17. Coordination of work

• Establish national coordinating committees, or similar bodies, to serve as a national focal point on disability matters

  • Permanent and based on legal as well as appropriate administrative regulation;
  • A combination of representatives of private and public organizations;
  • Influence of organization of persons with disabilities should be considerable
  • Be provided with sufficient autonomy and resources to fulfil its responsibilities in relation to its decision-making capacities.

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When a subject covers more than one area, the issue of coordination of action becomes important. Dealing with equalization of opportunities for persons with disabilities cuts across many of the main areas of government action: health, education, employment, information, finance. It also requires partnerships between government, the private sector and non-governmental organizations. Good coordination is essential.

Article 17 address this. It call on governments to establish “national coordinating committee or similar bodies” that are “permanent and based on legal as well as appropriate administrative regulation.”

They should include both private and public representatives and they should give a significant role to organizations of persons with disabilities. They should be given an autonomous status and guaranteed adequate financial resources so that they can function effectively.