March 2, 1998

Disability is running rampant on our planet. A half billion men, women and children--500,000,000 people are usable to participate fully in daily life because of physical or mental disability. Eighty percent of these most vulnerable persons live in the developing world and thus are doubly disadvantaged by disability and poverty. Counting our family members who also cope with disability on a daily basis we comprise a fifth of the world's population.

The numbers are increasing dramatically, not only from population growth and medical advances that preserve and prolong life, but from wars, land mines, accidents, violence, malnutrition, birth defects, substance abuse and environmental damage. Disability knows no political boundaries. Anyone can join the disability community in an instant. No one is immune.

Prejudice and ignorance doom many of the world's disabled to a life of hopelessness. Disabled persons - and especially women in most of the world--are discriminated against. Many are ostracized by society. And for many, disability is death denied. Disability is a silent emergency!

Fortunately, The United Nations has responded. The U.N. General Assembly, in a session I was privileged to address on December 3, 1982, adopted unanimously the U.N. World Programme of Action Concerning Disabled Persons. It is a beacon of hope. It calls on all nations to act. Canada has led the way and is a shining example for all nations.

On behalf of the world's disability community, a half-billion strong, I congratulate you, Mr. Prime Minister and Canada on receiving the 1997 Franklin D. Roosevelt International Disability Award. Your nation's progress in improving the lives of persons with disabilities will inspire worldwide action to achieve the goal of the U.N. World Programme--full and equal participation of people with disabilities everywhere. I know FDR, a world statesman with a disability who led his nation for twelve years while using a wheelchair every day, and a founder of the United Nations, would be extremely proud today of you and Canada, a country he loved and visited frequently throughout his life.

I thank you for your personal spirited leadership, Mr. Secretary General. I urge you and all associated with our magnificent world organization to call on all nations to follow Canada's example in fulfilling the U.N. World Programme of Action Concerning Disabled Persons. All humanity stands to gain!