World Health Organization (WHO)

WHO is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) that acts as a coordinating authority on international public health. Established on 7 April 1948, and headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, the agency inherited the mandate and resources of its predecessor, the Health Organization, which had been an agency of the League of Nations.

WHO Work on Disability

This World Health Assembly (WHA) resolution calls on WHO to work towards ensuring equal opportunities and promotion of human rights for people with disabilities, especially those who are poor. The Secretariat will be requested to assist Member States in developing policies on disability which include community involvement and national rehabilitation programmes.

WHO is also requested to work to ensure early identification and treatment of those with disabilities, including the provision of assistive devices.

WHO assists these efforts by:
  1. Providing assistance for the development of national policies and programmes on assistive devices and technologies
  2. Creating a database on the availability of appropriate assistive devices and technologies in low-income and middle-income countries
  3. Promoting research
  4. Organizing regional and country workshops
WHO is guiding and supporting countries to scale up public health programmes that promote rehabilitation and make assistive devices available to persons with disabilities. A six-year plan was developed in order to direct WHO's efforts at the national, regional and global levels.

WHO's role is to enhance the quality of life and to promote and protect the rights and dignity of people with disabilities through local, national and global efforts.

Summary of Alma-Ata declaration 

Source: http://www.who.int/disabilities/en/