Government Implementation of the Standard Rules
As Seen By Member Organizations of
World Federation of the Deaf - WFD

Togo

Download 'WFD Reports on the UN Standard Rules' as a PDF file (240 KB)

---

© Dimitris Michailakis 1997 Association des Sourds du Togo, Togo
No reply was received from the Government of Togo.

General policy

The officially recognized disability policy is expressed in guidelines adopted by the government. The emphasis in this policy is on rehabilitation, prevention, accessibility measures, individual support, and anti-discrimination law. Since the adoption of the Rules, the government has not done anything to convey the message of full participation.

Legislation

The following benefits are guaranteed by law to persons with disabilities: training, rehabilitation and counselling, and employment. No new legislation concerning disability has been enacted, since the adoption of the Rules.

Accessibility

There are no rules to ensure accessibility of he built environment. No responsible body exists to observe accessibility in the built environment. The only measure, which has been promoted by the government in order to facilitate accessibility in the built environment, is the ensuring of access to public places. There are no special transport arrangements for persons with disabilities. The most difficult obstacles when planning to build accessible environments, are attitudinal factors, economic/budgetary factors, technical factors, lack of legislation and regulations, lack of knowledge, research and information, lack of user participation and lack of co-operation from other organisations/institutions. There is no disability awareness component incorporated in the training of planners, architects and construction engineers.

Sign language is recognized as the official language of deaf people. There are government measures to encourage media and other forms of public information to make their services accessible to persons with disabilities. The only measure provided in order to facilitate information and communication between persons with disabilities and others is sign language interpretation for major events.

Organizations of persons with disabilities

There is a national umbrella organization. There are no legal provisions mandating the representatives of persons with disabilities to participate in policy-making or to work with governmental institutions. Organizations of persons with disabilities are sometimes consulted, when laws and regulations with a disability aspect are being prepared. Consultations occur at the regional level. No support is given by the government to existing or new organizations of persons with disabilities. The role of organizations of persons with disabilities is to advocate rights and improved services, mobilize persons with disabilities and contribute to public awareness.

Co-ordination of work

The co-ordinating committee is reporting to the Ministry of Health and Social Affairs. The committee includes representatives of the Ministry of Health and Social Affairs and of organizations of persons with disabilities. The government exptects the committee to participate in policy development. The establishment of the committee has had the following effects: improved co-ordination of measures/programmes and improved promotion of public awareness.

The adoption of the Rules has led to a rethinking of the approach to disability policy.

---

Contents of the WFD Report