About Disability Awareness in Action

Disability Awareness in Action (DAA) is an international public education campaign to promote, support and coordinate national action to further the objectives of the United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons (1983-1992) and the World Programme of Action Concerning Disabled Persons (WPA). DAA is a partnership between the following organizations: Disabled Peoples' International (DPI), IMPACT, International League of Societies of Persons with Mental Handicap (ILSMH), Rehabilitation International (RI), and World Federation of the Deaf (WFD). Internet publication URL: www.independentliving.org/docs2/daa-about.html

 

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1. What We Are

Disability Awareness in Action (DAA) is an international public education campaign to promote, support and coordinate national action to further the objectives of the United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons (1983-1992) and the World Programme of Action Concerning Disabled Persons (WPA).

The Decade has shown the urgent need to turn policies on disability into action and, in particular, to concentrate on equal opportunities for disabled people. Much has already been done. International non-governmental disability organisations (INGOs) have been working together for some time to set a framework of action, building on the aims of the Decade and the WPA.

This groundwork is embodied in a Reaffirmation, to be signed by heads of government, showing commitment to the World Programme of Action. 1992 is the last year of the Decade. We need to make sure that the Reaffirmation is signed, and that it is supported in each country by a supplementary action plan.

However, national action by disabled people can only work if they and their organisations are able to use the channels and contacts needed to influence governments and to raise public awareness of disability issues. DAA is working towards these objectives through participation, partnership and publicity:

Participation

DAA is working with disabled people and their organisations to stimulate nation action on disability issues. In some countries, disabled people's organisations have gained the skills of lobbying authorities and have set up channels of influence. This experience can be shared with other organisations, particularly in developing countries, where national policy on disability is almost non-existent. In particular, DAA is targeting developing countries, disabled women and other underrepresented groups of disabled people.

Partnership

Traditionally, disabled people and their organisations have not had access to information that could empower them - on development, organisation-building and strategies for social change. DAA provides a resource base of advice and information to support the partnership between governments, policy-makers, non-governmental organisations, industry, the media and disabled people.

Publicity

Inappropriate images of disability have been a major barrier to the understanding of disability issues by the general public and policy-makers. The media information in this publications is intended to help disability organisations ensure greater awareness of disability issues in the media and, by extension, among people everywhere.

 

2. Who We Are

Organisations Involved

Disabled Peoples' International (DPI) is about people helping themselves. Its philosophy is that disabled people should achieve full participation and equality in all societies. The DPI network has over 90 national affiliates, over half of which are in developing countries. National affiliates aim to be cross-disability, grassroots organisations. Consultative status with ECOSOC, UNESCO, ILO, UNOV.

IMPACT is an international initiative against avoidable disability launched by the UN Development Programme, WHO and UNICEF. The international office in Geneva co-ordinates national IMPACT foundations in a number of developing and developed countries. Joining forces with governments, institutions and the mass media, the foundations help initiate low-cost measures to combat disability.

International League of Societies of Persons with Mental Handicap. (ILSMH) is the only organisation which speaks for the world's 40 million persons with mental impairments, their families and those who work for them. The League now includes 100 societies from 67 countries. It exists to help its members fulfil their own objectives in response to local need. ILSMH has consultative status with the UN.

Rehabilitation International (RI) is a federation of 145 organisations in 82 countries conducting programmes to assist people with disabilities and all who work for prevention, rehabilitation and integration.

World Federation of the Deaf (WFD) is an international organisation of national associations of the deaf. The WFD was established in 1951 and is working towards full participation and equal rights for deaf people. Consultative status with the UN.

 

DAA Executive Committee

Chairperson: Henry Enns (DPI)
Vice-Chairperson: Murray Holmes (WFD)
Vice-Chairperson: John Chillag (ILSMH)
Secretary: Anneli Joneken (DPI)
Treasurer: Senator Eita Yashiro (DPI)
Information: Mary Holland (RI)
DAA Staff
Project Director: Rachel Hurst
Project Assistant: Kate Gane
Administrative Assistant: Neil Harvey
Information Officer: Agnes Fletcher
 

Disability Awareness in Action
11 Belgrave Road, Room 109
London SW1V 1RB
United Kingdom
Tel 44-71-834 04 77
Fax 44-71-821 95 39
DAA_ORG@compuserve.com