The Standard Rules on the Equalization of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities

In 1993 the United Nations General Assembly adopted The Standard Rules on the Equalization of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities (the Standard Rules).⁹⁰ The overall purpose of the Standard Rules is:

"to ensure that girls, boys, women and men with disabilities, as members of their societies, may exercise the same rights and obligations as others. In all societies of the world there are still obstacles preventing persons with disabilities from exercising their rights and freedoms and making it difficult for them to participate fully in the activities of their societies. It is the responsibility of States to take appropriate action to remove such obstacles."

The Rules enunciate a set of standards aimed at encouraging states to implement measures that respect the equal opportunities of persons with disabilities. Rule 3 describes the essential elements that should be incorporated into rehabilitation plans for persons with disabilities. Some of the elements include:

"States should ensure the provision of rehabilitation services to persons with disabilities in order for them to reach and sustain their optimum level of independence and functioning.

States should develop national rehabilitation programmes for all groups of persons with disabilities.

Such programmes should be based on the actual individual needs of persons with disabilities and on the principles of full participation and equality.

Such programmes should include a wide range of activities, such as basic skills training to improve or compensate for an affected function, counselling of persons with disabilities and their families, developing self-reliance, and occasional services such as assessment and guidance.

All persons with disabilities, including persons with severe and/or multiple disabilities, who require rehabilitation should have access to it.

Persons with disabilities and their families should be able to participate in the design and organization of rehabilitation services concerning themselves.

All rehabilitation services should be available in the local community where the person with disabilities lives."

The Rules are not binding. Rather they constitute a form of international customary law. Despite their non-binding status, they are widely recognized around the world.

In the case of rehabilitation initiatives, the rules stand for the principle that such activities must be designed to advance the equal opportunity and participation of persons with disabilities. They further stipulate that, where possible such activities should take place in a person's local community.