Four parallel tracks: monitoring the implementation of the Standard Rules; monitoring the implementation of the Standard Rules; raising awareness of the rights, needs, potentials and contributions of persons with disabilities and Equalization of opportunities; raising awareness of the rights, needs, potentials and contributions of persons with disabilities and Equalization of opportunities; supporting disabled persons organizations supporting disabled persons organizations fostering and encouraging the inter- and intra- regional cooperation fostering and encouraging the inter- and intra- regional cooperation

Through the following means: Conducting country visitsConducting country visits Meeting with government officials and disabled persons organizations;Meeting with government officials and disabled persons organizations; Participating at international and regional functions, activities, conferences;Participating at international and regional functions, activities, conferences; presenting initiatives and at various levels;presenting initiatives and at various levels;

AND Conducting, analyzing and publishing the results of the Global Survey on Government Action on the Implementation of the Standard Rules for the Equalization of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities

The Survey: Identified 324 actions derived from the 22 RulesIdentified 324 actions derived from the 22 Rules Was sent to 191 Member States & two disabled persons organizations in each countryWas sent to 191 Member States & two disabled persons organizations in each country Is based on information gathered from 114 countriesIs based on information gathered from 114 countries

Survey results revealed: No more than 50% implementation across the globeNo more than 50% implementation across the globe 162 actions implemented globally out of actions implemented globally out of 324 Among the 5 regions, Europe, the Arab region, Africa, Asia, and Latin America, the highest implementation rate was 319 and the lowest was 4 out of the 324 actions;Among the 5 regions, Europe, the Arab region, Africa, Asia, and Latin America, the highest implementation rate was 319 and the lowest was 4 out of the 324 actions; i.e. a 2% implementation at one end and a 96% implementation at the otheri.e. a 2% implementation at one end and a 96% implementation at the other

Survey results revealed: Wide discrepancies between the responses of governments & disabled persons organizationsWide discrepancies between the responses of governments & disabled persons organizations Europe had the highest rate of implementation, at 66%Europe had the highest rate of implementation, at 66% the Arab region at 61%, the Asia- Pacific region at 50%, Africa at 37% and Latin America at 33%.the Arab region at 61%, the Asia- Pacific region at 50%, Africa at 37% and Latin America at 33%.

Survey results revealed: The discrepancy between government & DPO responses was: 34.4% in Latin America; 33.6% in Asia; 25.9% in Africa; 24.3% in the Arab region; & 6.1% in Europe.The discrepancy between government & DPO responses was: 34.4% in Latin America; 33.6% in Asia; 25.9% in Africa; 24.3% in the Arab region; & 6.1% in Europe. The absence of legislations aimed at preserving the dignity & protecting the rights of persons with disabilitiesThe absence of legislations aimed at preserving the dignity & protecting the rights of persons with disabilities Governments concede the importance of DPO contributions from policy to implementationGovernments concede the importance of DPO contributions from policy to implementation

A full report on Results of Phase II of the Global Survey will be published in March 2008 & will be available from the Office of the Special Rapporteur Tel: or The South-North Center for Dialogue & Development Tel: