Question & Answer session
with Scott Brown
9:00 - 9:30am, Wednesday, January 16, 2002.
Dr. Sudibyo Markus: How do we develop standards for indicators? Can
indicators be developed from the UNDP Human Development Index?
Scott: When thinking about standards for indicators, I believe it is
important to take into account the answer to the following questions - what are the
standards for all persons? Thus, as we develop standards for monitoring the World
Programme of Action or the Standard Rules, we need to discern what standards are being
employed for programmes related to economics, women, habitats and the like. For example,
the United Nations is currently considering indicators for sustainable development. As it
moves towards these indicators, disability programmes need to also examine these
indicators and employ them where feasible. This has at least two benefits. First, it
allows for comparisons of results for persons with disabilities vis-a-vis the total
population. Second, it becomes clear that the disability community is interfacing with the
development community and allows us to develop a common language. This offers the
potential for greater acceptance by the development, human rights and other communities
that do not traditionally view disability as part of their portfolio.
Dr. Sudibyo Markus: It is important to develop a set of indicators
having to do with how a disabled person is interacting with their family and community. Is
there such a mechanism?
Scott: This question, I believe, is the critical question. The
importance of such a mechanism cannot be overstated. If I may reiterate an important point
in the Expert Group Report - we can look at the environment and what a person does, but
unless we understand the interaction of the person with the environment, it is
unlikely we will ever understand the measures we need to take to improve the environment
and the quality of that interaction. Now, the bad news - as far as I know, there are not
highly developed measures available for indicators. This is why the Expert Group
recommended that work begin to systematically develop the concept of access - whether the
issue is access to housing, schools, community or family interactions. The Group
recommended that seven dimensions of access be evaluated in order to discern whether
access to any environment has been achieved. I would have to note, however, that some
measurement work needs to be done in this area.
Dr. Handojo: How do we determine who (NGOs, government, institutions,
community)....
[Question not completed. Session ended due to time constraints.] |
