75 years of the UN and disability rights

The UN celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2020. Take a look at some of the milestones along its path to creating a more equal world.

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The United Nations was established after the second world war with a purpose of maintaining international peace and security, developing friendly relations among nations and promoting social progress, better living standards and human rights.

During this time, disability rights have gradually gone from being a minor footnote to an integral part of the UN’s global development work.

1945

A black and white photo of a scale model of the United Nations.

The United Nations officially comes into existence, to promote international cooperation for peace, security and human rights. The UN Charter, which outlines the purpose and principles of the UN, is adopted and signed by the 51 founding member countries.

1969

The Declaration on Social Progress and Development is adopted. This reiterates the UN Charter’s principles (to prevent war, uphold rights, and promote justice and better standards of living) and emphasises the importance of protecting the rights of people with disabilities.

1971

Lesline and classmates at school in Cameroon

A declaration specifically on rights for people with intellectual disabilities is adopted, followed in 1975 by a declaration on the rights of disabled people.

1981

An International Year of Disabled Persons is announced. The World Programme of Action Concerning Disabled Persons – a global strategy to promote equality for people with disabilities – is formulated during this time.

1982

Christine Kobugabe has breakfast with her family in Masindi

Following the action in 1981, the United Nations announces a Decade of Disabled Persons (1983-1992), intended to increase activity and encourage countries to put the commitments of the World Programme of Action into effect.

1993

A guide for policymakers, the Standard Rules on the Equalization of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities, is adopted. The position of Special Rapporteur on Disability is also created, to promote and monitor the Rules.

2006

A banner on a long gate, promoting the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) is adopted as an international treaty to promote, protect and ensure all human rights and fundamental freedoms for all people with disabilities. A committee with 12 members is set up to monitor the Convention – this expands to 18 members as more countries sign the treaty.

2013

A high-level meeting (one involving heads of governments) on disability and development is convened by the UN General Assembly. At this event a commitment is made to achieving internationally agreed development goals for people with disabilities, as well as making sure disability is included in all development efforts.

2015

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (also known as the Global Goals or Sustainable Development Goals) is adopted. This is the first time disability is specifically included in a global development plan.

2018

Gertrude Oforiwa Fefoame smiling, holding up a placard reading '#EqualUN for an equal world'.

The 18-member committee that oversees the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities gets closer to gender parity, going from only one woman to six – a battle that will continue in 2020!

2019

The UN publishes its first disability inclusion strategy (UNDIS). At the launch event, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres says: “It is not a strategy of words – it is a strategy of action. Action to raise the standards of the UN’s performance on disability inclusion across the board, and action to bring about the unified and transformative change we need.”

The future

A girl, who has albinism and is wearing glasses and a mask, sits in a classroom.

Great progress has been made to promote and protect the rights of people with disabilities in the past 75 years – but there’s still a long way to go, and the UN’s role in getting there is critical. Help us keep up the pressure on the United Nations and all its member countries to put the UN disability strategy into action, put an end to disability discrimination, and uphold the rights of all people with disabilities worldwide.

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