JAN-21-97 TUS 9:04 PM REHAB. INTERNATIONAL FAX NO. 212 505 0871

a worldwide network of people with , service providers and government agencies working to improve the quality of life of people with disabilities DC

21 January 1997 Liij: JAN

H.E. Kofi Annan. UN Secretary General Via Fax 212 963 2155

Dear Mr. Secretary General. vvxe-,v, — - 0 We write today to request a meeting with you on'.February 21,\1?97. The specific date has been "chosenTEecaus e delegates of international NGQswill bejn Ne\v_York tending to other business related to the work of the Special Rapporteur of the Development on Disability. You likely know that the Commission commences an important meeting on February 25. Of vital interest to us is the report to be given by the Special Rapporteur on February 25.

The purpose of thejneetjngjwould be to discuss how the^Unjted [ Projecrto implement the Standard Rules ^^he_EqualizationjDf Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities might continue beyond its current duration, 1994-1997, Rehabilitation^ International be!teve3 that the compelling needs of disabled people merit the Project's continuation, together with the Panel of Experts, for at least 3 years.

The United Nations is the single global body able to exert purposeful attention to . The Rules represent progressive policy built on human rights rather than welfare, taking the time to summarize the aims of full participation in society, The General Assembly will take pleasure that their adoption of the Rules, December, 1993 (Resolution 48/96) has assisted implementation. The Rules now are generating programs and policies affecting disabled people where they live. As such, the Monitoring Project is an energetic work in progress deserving of continued UN priority. The Special Rapporteur's function of encouraging program and policy development in Delegate Member States further stimulates implementation.

We should not quit the effort just as gains are being made. For example, the disparity will continue to escalate between the developed and the developing world. Disabled children now are estimated to number about 250 million, a newly revised figure by the ILO, acknowledged by LOSIICEF, and including children disabled by unsafe labor practices. Further, UNDP estimates a disability increase in the next 35 years of 47 percent 1990-2025 (UNDP, 1993). The United Nations' report on Human Rights for Disabled Persons, 1993, wither describes the miserable conditions in which people with disabilities live.

The United Nations has witnessed the positive effect of using its summit program to focus world

25 E. 21st St., Now York, NY 10010 USA/ Phone: (212) 420-1500 / Fax: (212) 505-0871 TDD: (212) 420-1752/Telex: 446412 JAN-21-97 TUE 9:04 PM REHAB. INTERNATIONAL FAX NO. 2125050871 P. 2

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attention on children (1990), The Declaration from the 1995 social development summit contains significant references to the integration of disabled people within the mainstream of economic and social life. Disabled people are the poorest of the poor and poverty continues to increase, Even so, disabled people contribute to civil society. They merit higher priority in the activities of the United Nations and its Member States.

Rehabilitation International, one of the six NGO's represented on the Panel of Experts advising the Project's Special Rapporteur, Mr. Bengt Lindqvist, has for many years worked collaboratively with the UN on social and economic issues using its consultative status. RT, its membership in 92 countries and 180 organizations drawn from national level NGO's and governments, is able to influence policy and program implementation just as do the other members of the Panel of Experts: Disabled Peoples' International, Inclusion International, World Blind Union, World Federation of the Deaf, and the World Federation for Psychiatric Users. Ideally, a meeting with you would include representatives from each of these constituencies.

The collaboration now exemplified in the implementation of the Standard Rules mirrors the partnership between NGOs and UN Delegate Member States that has been visible in planning the agenda for the World Summit for Social Development. While the balance in United Nations work between the issues and concerns of Delegate Member States and NGOs is understandably delicate, in the disability area numerous examples illustrate the healthy collaborations between NGOs and the governments. If further concrete implementation is to occur, global leadership meant to encourage and make visible the pressing needs of disabled people absolutely must continue.

We look forward soon to a positive response that you have time to meet with us on February 21.

Sincerely yours,

Dr. Arthur O'Reilly Mryflohn Stott President Immediate Past President, Member Panel of Experts Rehabilitation International Rehabilitation International

RECEIVED TIME JflN.21. S:17PM