Program of Action for the Decade of the Americas for the Rights and Dignity of Persons with Disabilities (2006-2016)

Text of the PAD available in:    Español | English | Português | Français

Six years after the entry into force of the Convention for the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities, the OAS Member States reiterated their commitment to the social inclusion of persons with disabilities by creating a second instrument, more operational and apt to mobilize public policies: the Program of Action for the Decade of the Americas for the Rights and Dignity of Persons with Disabilities (PAD), which was approved by the resolution AG/RES. 2339 (XXXVII O/07), during the 37th Regular Session of the General Assembly, in June 2007.

The PAD is a political commitment that contains 9 fields unfolded in a total of 91 actions that guide the Member States towards making substantive progress in building inclusive societies. These 9 areas are: social awareness, health, education, employment, accessibility, political participation, participation in sports and cultural, artistic and recreational activities, welfare and social assistance, and international cooperation.

For each of the 9 areas mentioned above, there has been designed a set of strategies that encourage Member States to move gradually, and within a reasonable timeframe, in the establishment of administrative, legislative, judicial, and public policies needed for the effective implementation of the Program of Action in the national legal framework. Those actions are necessary in order to place persons with disabilities on equal bases with the rest of society.

During the Second Meeting of Directors and Policy-Makers for Persons with Disabilities, held in August 2010, it was agreed that each year would be devoted to commemorate a different field of the PAD in order to strengthen the dissemination and implementation of this instrument.