Publication

Decent work for persons with disabilities: promoting rights in the global development agenda

This publication originated in 2003 as an ILO contribution to deliberations then taking place in preparation for the development of the United Nations (UN) Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). By examining the development over time of the ‘right to work’ of persons with disabilities, how this matter has been dealt with in international instruments and national legislation to date, and experience around the world in promoting employment and work opportunities, the working paper enabled those involved in the preparation of the proposed CRPD to build on earlier achievements.

The UN General Assembly adopted the CRPD on 13 December 2006 and it entered into force less than two years later, in May 2008. It has since been ratified by over two thirds of UN States and the UN Secretary General has called for universal ratification. In view of the considerable interest generated by the working paper and its relevance to States Parties as they moved to implement the provisions of the CRPD, the ILO published an updated version in 2007, and is issuing this further edition now, to take account, not only of the CRPD, but also of other major developments in this field in countries around the world since 2003.

This publication contains the following chapters:


Chapter 1: a detailed description of international instruments, policies and initiatives;

Chapter 2: the different options open to people with disabilities who wish to work in open/competitive employment, sheltered employment, supported employment and social enterprises;

Chapter 3: the main approaches which have been adopted at national level to assist people with disabilities in securing, retaining and advancing in employment and work;

Chapter 4: a review of key areas which still require attention, in spite of the range of measures introduced at international, regional and national levels to improve employment opportunities for people with disabilities.