The World Committee on Disability was formed in 1985 to support and strengthen the work of the United Nations in implementing the U.N. World Programme of Action Concerning Disabled Persons. The goal of the World Programme is the full and equal participation of people with disabilities in the life of their societies. It prescribes how nations, communities, organizations and people of goodwill everywhere can and must expand the participation of people with disabilities for economic, humanitarian and social reasons. According to the U.N., there are a half-billion men, women and children with disabilities worldwide. They are unable to participate fully in the life of their societies because of one or more major disabling physical or mental conditions.
Disability knows no political boundaries.
Eighty percent are in developing countries and are doubly disadvantaged by poverty and disability. Counting family members who also are directly affected, a fifth of the world's population lives with disability on a daily basis. The numbers are increasing dramatically. Anyone can join the disability community in an instant. No one is immune.