tzippy@dasys1.uucp (Tzipporah BenAvraham) (05/31/90)
Index Number: 8523 EXTRACTS FROM UN DOCUMENTS FORWARD LOOKING STRATEGIES- WOMEN'S WORLD CONFERENCE 3. WOMEN WITH PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DISABILITY PARAGRAPH 296 It is generally accepted that women constitute a significant number of the estimated 500 million people who are disabled as a con- sequence of mental physical and sensory impairment. Many factors contribute to the rising numbers of disabled persons, including war and other forms of violence, poverty, hungry, nutritional deficiencies, epidemics and work-related accident. The recognition of their human dignity and human right to the full participation by disabled persons in society is still limited, and this presents additional problems for women who may have domestic and other responsibilities. It is recommended that Governments should adopt the Declaration of the Rights of Disabled Persons (1975) and World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons (1982) which provide an overall framework for action and also refer to problems specifics to women that have not fully appreciated by society because they are still not well known or understood. Community-based occupational and social rehabilitation measures, support services to help with their domestic responsibilities, as well as opportunities for the participation of such women all aspect of life should be provided. The rights of intellectually disabled women to obtain health information and advice and to consent to or refuse medical treatment should be respected, similarly, the rights of intellectually disabled minors should be respected.