WHO Task Force on Disability
The WHO Task Force on Disability continues its efforts to remove barriers and mainstream disability across the Organization. For example:
- In human resource management, the recent WHO policy on disability and employment is being operationalized, with concrete recommendations on how to implement reasonable accommodation - necessary adjustments that enable a person with disability to work for example modification to the physical workplace or working hours. In addition, training of selection panel members, as well as the development of a policy on accessible information and communication technology have been undertaken.
- In improving access to information, the World report on disability was published in formats including Braille, accessible PDF, DAISY and EasyRead. Training is being delivered in WHO headquarters and regional offices to increase awareness of the importance of information access. In this regard, web developers from across WHO have been trained in accessibility.
- In mainstreaming disability rights, projects on disability and disasters and emergencies, sexual and reproductive health of people with disabilities, and violence against people with disabilities are underway.
Actions are being taken in WHO headquarters, but also in the WHO Regional Office for the Americas, the WHO Regional Office for Europe, the WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean and the WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific. The current emphasis is on rolling out the Task Force activities to WHO country offices, which are now being encouraged and supported to consider mainstreaming and barrier removal in their work.
For further information, please contact Tom Shakespeare (shakespearet@who.int) or link to: http://www.who.int/disabilities/media/news/taskforce/en/index.html