CM/Res. 594 (XXX)
RESOLUTION ON THE INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF THE DISABLED
The Council of Ministers of the Organization of African Unity meeting in its Thirtieth Ordinary Session in Tripoli, Libya from 20 to 28 February, 1978,
Reaffirming its belief in human rights, basic freedom, the principles of peace, the dignity and value of the individual and the importance of consolidating social justice,
Convinced that racist colonial wars and repressions are among the main reasons behind the increase of the number of the disabled;
Recalling UN General Assembly Resolution No. 3447 (XXX) of December 1975 and No.
31/82 of 13 December 1971 concerning the Declaration of the rights of the Disabled;
Recalling UN General Assembly Resolution No. 31/123 to the effect that the year 1981 is to be the International Year of the Disabled, and will bear as an emblem “Total Participation,” and devoting this year to the achievement of the following objectives:
helping the disabled towards physical rehabilitation and psychological re-adjustment to the community,
encouraging all efforts exerted at national and international levels for the purpose of providing the necessary assistance, care, training and guidance to the disabled, as well as adequate employment opportunities in addition to ensuring their total integration within the community;
promoting study and research projects aimed at easing in practical manner the participation of the disabled in daily life, by providing for their use public buildings and communications facilities fully adopted to their needs;
teaching and instilling awareness in the public as to the rights of the disabled to participate in the various aspects of economic, social and political life, as well as contributing to them,
favouring the adoption of efficient measures for protecting against total disability an d for the rehabilitation of the disabled.
Recalling also United Nations General Assembly resolution No. 32/133 of 16 December 1977 and paragraphs 1 and 82, in particular that in which the Secretary General urges the Member States to adopt certain measures for the celebration of the International year of the Disabled;
DECIDES to examine the possibility of holding a regional meeting or seminar at African level to discuss the problem of the disabled and ways and means of putting into effect the objectives of the International Year of Disabled;
URGES all African countries to observe the Year 1981 as the International Year of the Disabled;
REQUESTS the OAU Administrative Secretary-General to service the Regional Meetings or Seminar proposed in Para 1 above and to report on its outcome to the Council of Ministers with a view to enabling Member States to adopt appropriate measures in the observance of the International Year of the Disabled.