UNITAR DISABILITY1

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Embracing the Disability Inclusion Strategy at UNITAR

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Background

Steps

Objectives

Partners

Target

Scenarios

Responsibility

Important Day

Background information

In 2019, Mr. António Guterres, the United Nations Secretary General, adopted the UN Disability Inclusion Strategy, UNDIS, as the foundation for sustainable and transformative progress at the Organization through all its pillars: Peace and security, Human Rights, and development.

The strategy includes a policy and an accountability framework, with annual reports to the UN General Assembly. So far, a baseline on the status of disability inclusion across all UN entities and country teams has been settled, and an increasing number of actions, opportunities, and challenges have been reported.

For now, UN entities and country teams have been warmly invited to report on the implementation of the strategy on a voluntary basis; it is expected that after a few years it becomes mandatory. In this regard, UNITAR is committed to support this endeavor by paving the way towards reporting in the near future.

The first phase to this end will take place in 2024 and will be focused on taking stock about the current status of disability inclusion inside the Institute, as well as raising awareness and identifying actions to move forward in the implementation of the strategy.

Learning objectives

At the end of this first phase, all UNITAR’s staff will be able to:

Empowering UNITAR’s team on the UN Disability Inclusion Strategy.

Identifying good practices and challenges.

Settling steps to move forward.

Leading by example, in line with UNITAR’s mandate to develop the individual, institutional and organizational capacities of countries and other UN stakeholders.

Direct impact

All UNITAR employees in Geneva, New York, Hiroshima and Bonn Offices.

Target

Indirect impact

Beneficiaries from UNITAR’s capacity building initiatives.

Core areas of responsibility

UNDIS specifically focuses on 4 areas:

Leadership, strategic planning,

and management

Programming

Inclusiveness

Organizational culture

Upcoming steps

Taking Stock About the Current Status of Disability Inclusion Inside the Institute

Ongoing policies and initiatives on disability inclusion.
Anonymous survey about different disabilities, special needs, and challenges at UNITAR.
Existing learning tools developed at UNITAR.

Raising awareness

Quarterly discussion sessions, by inviting strategic partners to share good practices and common challenges, as well as possible solutions.
To keep the momentum in between the periodic discussion sessions, material with key facts to better understand and empower people on the UNDIS will be available.
Sharing information about existing material developed by UNITAR and other UN entities. Likewise, information about existing standards and physical facilities at the workplace.

Identifying actions to move forward in the implementation of the strategy

The assessment will include but may not be limited to:

Policies
Features of the official webpage to cluster information on the tools and initiatives that consider disability inclusion, developed by UNITAR.
Training for reporting on the developments per Division or Unit in the near future, tentatively from 2025.

Special note: The activities are meant to engage UNITAR's team through key data while keeping the momentum on the strategy, and avoiding work overload. The support of focal points per Division and Unit at UNITAR will be important through this journey.

Strategic partners

Learn about UN entities and mandates specifically focused on disabilities. Click here

UN Department for Economic and Social Affairs

World Health Organization

Special Rapporteur on

the Rights of Persons with

Disabilities of the Human

Rights Council

Committee on the

Rights of Persons with Disabilities

Special Envoy of the Secretary-General on Disability and Accessibility

The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights

Scenarios

The UN hosts events around the year focused on disabilities issues. Here are some scenarios where discussions take place:

Cosp

The Conference of State Parties to the CRPD is a regular meeting of States Parties to the CRPD, a UN treaty that protects the rights of persons with disabilities. It takes place at the United Nations Office at New York.

Desa Forum on disability and development

It aims to contribute to this objective, through facilitating policy dialogues, exchange of expertise, good practices and solutions, innovative ideas on inclusive development, and through promoting international cooperation and partnerships. It takes place at the United Nations Office at New York. Read more

Sessions of the Committee on the Rights of Persons With Disabilities

The Committee is the body of independent experts which monitors implementation of the Convention by the States parties.

The United Nations Human Rights Council

The Human Rights Council is an intergovernmental body within the United Nations system responsible for strengthening the promotion and protection of human rights around the globe and for addressing situations of human rights violations and making recommendations on them. It has the ability to discuss all thematic human rights issues and situations, including disabilities, that require its attention throughout the year. It meets at the United Nations Office at Geneva.

International Day of Persons With Disabilities

The observance of the Day aims to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities. It also seeks to increase awareness of gains to be derived from the integration of persons with disabilities in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life.