Abu Dhabi: A special UN rapporteur for disability has slammed some countries saying that they have no integration programmes for people with special needs in their societies.
"Plans and laws were approved but the programmes are not active or there are no finances to activate them," Shaikha Hessa Al Thani, the special rapporteur, told Gulf News.
The UN Human Rights Council is committed to penalising countries that violate the international special needs rights agreement, she said.
So far 125 countries have signed the agreement and 17 have approved it, Shaikha Hessa said. "When 20 countries approve it the agreement will be active."
Shaikha Hessa recently spoke at ACCESS Abu Dhabi 2008, the third conference on special needs, organised by Zayed Higher Organisation for Humanitarian Care, Special Needs and Minor Affairs.
She said her job was to observe and watch the policies and practices that each country was following to integrate people with special needs in their societies.
"The special rapporteur has the authority to take action against countries that violate the agreement."
Shaikha Hessa said public acceptance and awareness are key factors to integrate people with special needs.
"Despite the wealth in the Gulf countries, people with special needs are living at a level less than what is expected here," she said.
Experts in special needs education, rehabilitation and healthcare participated in ACCESS.
After three days of sessions, they recommended that integrating people with special needs in regular schools should be on a gradual basis. They also recommend establishing an international award for best practices in this field.
By Eman Mohammed, Abu Dhabi Deputy Editor