Government Implementation of the Standard Rules
As Seen By Member Organizations of
Inclusion International - ILSMH

Congo

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© Dimitris Michailakis 1997

Association Nationale des Personnes Handicapées Mentales du Congo, Congo
Compare with the following Country Report(s): the Congo Government, WBU

General policy

The officially recognized disability policy is expressed in law and in policy adopted by political parties. According to the Government, disability policy is expressed in law, in guidelines adopted by the Government and in policy adopted by NGOs. The emphasis in this policy is on rehabilitation, and accessibility measures. The main emphasis, according to the Government, is on anti-discrimination law.

Since the adoption of the Rules the government has not done anything to convey the message of full participation.

Legislation

General legislation applies to persons with different disabilities with respect to education, employment, the right to marriage, the right to parenthood/family, political rights, access to court of law, the right to privacy and property rights. The following benefits are guaranteed by law to persons with disabilities: training, rehabilitation and counselling, employment and independent living. According to the Government even the benefits of health and medical care and participation in decisions affecting themselves are guaranteed by law.

No new legislation concerning disability has been enacted since the adoption of the Rules.

Accessibility

There are rules to ensure accessibility of the built environment which establish national design standards requiring that public places are made accessible. There are no standards requiring that the outdoor environment, means of public transportation, and housing are made accessible. Accessibility in the built environment is observed by a national authority. There are no special transport arrangements for persons with disabilities. The most difficult obstacle, when planning to build accessible environments, is lack of legislation and regulations. According to the Government, the most difficult obstacles, when planning to build accessible environments, are attitudinal factors and economic/budgetary factors.

Sign language is recognized as the official language of deaf people, is used as the first language in education of deaf people and is recognized as the main means of communication between deaf persons and others. According to the Government, sign language is used as the first language and recognized as the main means of communication. There are no government measures to encourage media and other forms of public information services to make their services accessible to persons with disabilities. The Government states that such measures exist. No services are provided in order to facilitate information and communication between persons with disabilities and others. According to the Government, the only service provided is sign language interpretation for major events.

Organizations of persons with disabilities

There is no national umbrella organization. According to the Government, 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. Accessibility in the built environment is observed by a national authority. The government gives organizational/logistic support to organizations of persons with disabilities. The Government states giving also financial support to organizations. Persons with disabilities participate to a very limited extent in legislatures, and judicial authorities whereas to a great extent in political parties and NGOs. The role of organizations of persons with disabilities is to advocate rights and improved services, mobilize persons with disabilities, identify needs and priorities, participate in the planning, implementation and evaluation of services and measures concerning the lives of persons with disabilities, contribute to public awareness and promote/organize income generating activities.

Co-ordination of work

There is no national co-ordinating committee or any similar body.

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

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Contents of the ILSMH Report | Compare with the following Country Report(s): the Congo Government, WBU