February 2003

The ILO Disability Programme  has commissioned a working paper on ‘The Right to Decent Work of Persons with Disabilities’ as a contribution to the deliberations taking place in preparation for the development of a United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The paper is intended to be of specific relevance to those involved in drafting provisions concerning employment and work in the proposed Convention. It examines the development over time of the ‘right to work’ of disabled persons, the way in which this matter has been dealt with in international instruments and national legislation to date, and the experience in implementing employment and work opportunities. The paper will be useful to those involved in the preparation of the proposed UN Convention, assisting them to build on past achievements and practice. It will also be useful in the drafting of national policy and legislation.

Hard copies of the working paper can be obtained directly from The Disability Programme
InFocus Programme on Skills, Knowledge and Employability International Labour Office (ILO), 4, route des morillons, 1211 Geneva 22 (Switzerland), tel: +41 22 799 8276, fax: +41 22 799 6310 or 799 85 73.  email: disability@ilo.org