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January 1999
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January 1999
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1998's Theme of the International Day of Disabled Persons
by Gregg J. Donaldson
On December 4, 1998, the United States Council of International Rehabilitation, (USCIR) and the People to People Committee on Disability, held an International Conference, Awards and Reception in honor of the United Nations International Day of Disabled Persons. This year's theme was The Culture of Disability. The United Nations first declared December 3, International Day of Disabled Persons as part of the International Decade of Disabled Persons, back in 1992. The event was held at the U.S. State Department. Once again the musical entertainment was provided by Ms. Benita Gold Slater playing a medley of Christmas songs on her saxophone.
The International Day of Disabled Persons was initially proclaimed by the United Nations to commemorate the anniversary of the General Assembly's adoption of the World Program of Action concerning disabled persons, which was passed in October 1992. Since that time the United Nations has emphasized the rights and potential of people with disabilities as a main focus of the international community. During the past two decades significant accomplishments have been made in the rights and recognition of persons with disabilities and there has been a general increase in awareness and understanding of disability issues.
America's Athletes with Disabilities, Inc., sponsored this year's event. Mr. David R. Williamson, Chairman of the event and President of AAD was Masters of Ceremonies. He opened the Ceremonies with wit, borrowing from John Kemp, saying, "If John were here...." He then preceded to name every group, (by their politically correct name), you can imagine.
Other notable speakers were: Ms. Molly Williamson, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary U.S. State Department Bureau of International Organization Affairs. She emphasized Secretary of State Madeleine Albright's high commitment to continue to remove barriers for people with disabilities both in the State Department and Foreign Service.
And Ms. Judith E. Huemann, Assistant Secretary U.S. Department of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services. Ms. Huemann told of some of her exploits and observances as she has traveled and talked with people from around the world. She also praised Secretary of State Madeleine Albright's work on women's issues.
This year's honorees were Linda Mastandrea, Culture of Disability Award. Ms. Mastandrea, was honored for her achievements as a Paralympic athlete in Track & Field, as a Wheelchair Racer.
In her remarks, Ms. Linda Mastandrea stated that, growing up with Cerebral Palsy, she never considered herself very athletic. She described her walk as a waddle. It wasn't until she was an undergraduate, at the University of Illinois in Urbanna, that one day she sprained her ankle. While she was soaking it, she had a long conversation with the basketball coach, who convinced her to try out for wheelchair sports. She told the audience, The rest is history, I consider that sprain a blessing and I've had a wonderful life.
Tapping Technology asked, How has technology changed the sport of racing? It has helped that racers have gotten into the design of their own chairs. When I started, the chairs were about 20 pounds. Today, they are made from titanium and are very lightweight. Ms. Mastandrea answered and mused, Engineers are always figuring out how to make faster and lighter. In the next Millennium they probably going to get them down to 3 pounds! She is also an accomplished lawyer.
Ms. Gabriele Stoikov received the Pioneering Award for her work as Chief, in the field of Vocational Rehabilitation for the International Labour Organization (I.L.O.), in Geneva, Switzerland. Ms. Stoikov told the history of I.L.O., beginning shortly after World War I in 1919, to its veterans finding employment.
She then described the structure of the organization, equating to that of a foundation of a building. Then, seeing her vision of the International Labour Organization, as an agent of change and emphasizing a strong role of advocacy. She also praised the work of the United States' ADA, as well as other country's laws, how they are role models and how the work must continue.
Mr. John Langmore, received the Barnard Posner Memorial Award, on behalf of the United Nations for Social Policy and Development, of which he is the Director. Mr. Posner was Executive Director of the President's Committee, 1975-1986, and a long time advocate for people with disabilities. Mr. Langmore and his colleagues, Ms. Akiko Ito and Mr. Clint Rapley were recognized for the development of The UN Persons with Disabilities website.
The website is: http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/disabled.htm. Here is an overview of what the site has to offer.
Mission: To assist in the promotion of effective measures for prevention of disability, rehabilitation, and the realization of the goals of full participation of disabled persons in social life and development, and of equality.
The UN and Persons with Disabilities
An overview of the activities by the United Nations system to promote international norms and standards and global action related to persons with disabilities.
International Norms and Standards Mandates of the UN Global Programme on Disability Other International Instruments.
Global Action Reports on practical application of international norms and standards and on new and emerging concepts and methods of policy formulation, planning, and evaluation.
Briefings Notes and comments on priority issues and emerging concerns in the field of disability. Signed articles and contributions are presented for information and do not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations Secretariat.
A forum for contributions and links to outside resources.
Copyright © United Nations / Division for Social Policy and Development Updated: 21 November 1998. Comments and suggestions: ito@un.org
The Sponsors
America's Athletes with Disabilities, AAD (formerly known as the U.S. Organization for Disabled Athletes, USODA) is striving to become the premiere multi-disability/multi-sports organization in the United States. They will be hosting the National Wheelchair Basketball Championships in Chicago, in March.
Other sponsors of the event were: People to People Committee on Disability is a non-political, non-profit organizaization working outside of government to promote international understanding and communication. They were founded by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1956, to provide technical assistance and information promoting peace throughout the world.
Their Board of Directors have expertise in many areas of disability such as: education, labour, diplomacy and independent living. They sponsored and hosted the Awards portion of the program.
The United States Council for International Rehabilitation, (USCIR) was founded in 1988, as the United States' member organization of Rehabilitation International. It brings together many of the disability oriented agencies, associations and institutions in the country. Members include government agencies, consumer associations, for profit and not-for-profit institutions, employers with forward looking policies, providers of rehabilitation products and services, and individuals interested in furthering the integration into society and the workplace of people with disabilities.
Note: For more information on AAD, 8630 Fenton Street, Suite 920, Silver Spring Maryland 20910. Telephone: 301-589-9042 or 1-800-238-7632.
USCIR, Write: 1825, Street NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20006 Telephone: 202-429-2706, Fax: 202-429-9574.
Or People to People Committee on Disability, Write: P.O. Box 18131, Washington, DC 20036. E-mail: webmaster@ppcd.org.
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