They can bring about positive changes through increased community awareness of the potential, competence and rights of disabled persons. They have exercised their influence to improve the status of disabled persons. Through a democratically unified voice, organizations of disabled persons, based on their unique experience, can work effectively to protect their human rights, to ensure that their wish for independent living in the community is met. It is up to the disabled persons of the Asia-Pacific region to determine the diverse indigenous modes of independent living which best suit their own participation in community life within local and national contexts. In the prevailing rapidly changing social circumstances, I am certain that disabled people of this region will chart their own independent course for an Asian and Pacific independent living movement.
Mission reports to Bangladesh, Bhutan, Lao People's Democratic Republic and Nepal.
Report of the Regional Expert Seminar to Review Achievements at the Mid-point of the United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons. Social Commission, Rehabilitation International. Questionnaires on independent living filled by Australia, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines and Thailand. World Programme Or Action concerning Disabled Persons. 1982, New York.