Disabled Peoples’ International is an International cross-disability network of 135 national assembly’s (member organizations) of persons with disabilities. Established in 1981, for more than 25 years DPI has worked to help persons with disabilities from around the world realize their basic human rights. We do this by promoting the full participation and equalization of opportunities and outcomes for pesons with disabilities all over the world.
Preamble to the DPI Constitution
Whereas universal and lasting peace can be established only if it is based upon social justice; and Whereas all human beings have the same rights, regardless of ability; and
Whereas conditions exist involving injustice, hardship, and privation to large numbers of people with physical, sensory, and mental impairments; and Whereas such persons have a right to full participation and equality, meaning the right of every disabled person to share in the social life of the community in which he or she lives and enjoy living conditions equal to those of other citizens, including an equal share in the improvement in standard of living resulting from social and economic development; and
Whereas disability results from the interaction between persons with impairments and attitudinal and environmental barriers that hinder their full and effective participation in society on a equal basis with others; and,Whereas disability is an evolving concept; and, Whereas the concept of handicap is no longer accepted at the international level; and
Whereas habilitation and rehabilitation are aimed at enabling a person to attain and maintain maximum independence, full physical, mental, social and vocational ability, and full inclusion and participation in all aspects of life; and
Whereas all systems must be open to disabled people it is affirmed that:
There are many barriers to the full participation of disabled people
Removing these barriers will require structural changes in our society
There is an obligation to make the physical environment, housing, transportation, social and health services, education and work opportunities, cultural and social life (e.g. sports, recreational facilities) accessible to all
Governments have a duty to ensure that the benefits of reform and development programs in every field also reach disabled citizens. Special measures to effect this should be incorporated into governments’ planning process and administrative structures; and
Whereas the rights of disabled people recognized by the United Nations through the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenants on Human Rights, the Standard Rules on the Equalization of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities, the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and other relevant international documents; and
Whereas the social and economic conditions of disabled people in underdeveloped and developing countries are recognized as meriting special and urgent attention the parties to this document moved by sentiments of justice, humanity and peace and with a view to attaining the objectives set forth in this preamble, agree to the following constitution of Disabled Peoples’ International.