1981Singapore
1st World Congress — DPI is founded
In 1981 at the 1st World Congress in Singapore, disabled people recognized that we must unite and we must fight for our rights.
Our history
From Singapore 1981 to today
Since its founding in 1981, DPI has had the privilege of contributing to a major global shift in the disability rights movement.
Timeline
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1982Hiroshima, Japan
Peace Statement
On June 24, 1982, DPI adopted its Peace Statement at the Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima, Japan.
We Want Dialogue, Not War! -
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1992Vancouver, Canada
3rd World Congress — Independence 92
The Independence 92 leaflet and the cover of the 3rd World Congress document are preserved in our archive.
Vancouver 1992
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1993
Kalle Könkkölä chairs DPI (1993–1998)
Kalle chaired DPI from 1993 to 1998 with the same peaceful determination.
Our Leader Kalle Könkkölä -
1994Sydney, Australia
World Assembly, 3–9 December
The ’94 World Assembly of Disabled Peoples’ International.
Sydney 1994
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2002Sapporo, Japan
6th World Assembly, 10–13 October
DPI’s largest gathering yet: more than 3,000 people from some 109 countries. DPI had national assemblies in some 135 countries and demanded a specific international convention to protect the human rights of disabled people. Venus Ilagan became the first female Chairperson of DPI.
Sapporo Declaration
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2006United Nations, New York
The CRPD is adopted
On December 13, 2006, the UN General Assembly adopted the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its Optional Protocol.
The CRPD -
2007Seoul, Republic of Korea
7th World Assembly, 8 September
2,700 people of DPI gathered in Seoul, celebrating DPI’s quarter century of engagement in the struggle for human rights for all disabled people.
Seoul Declaration
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2011Durban, South Africa
8th World Assembly, 10–13 October
People with disabilities and disabled people’s organisations from 66 countries met in Durban.
Durban Declaration
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2015Dhaka, Bangladesh
World Council meeting, 28–30 June
The DPI World Council met in Dhaka. The minutes of the meeting and the Dhaka Statement are preserved in our documents of reference.
Minutes and Dhaka Statement -
2016Cairo, Egypt
9th World Assembly and DPI’s 35th anniversary
The Cairo Declaration was adopted on 21 March 2016 by people with disabilities and their organizations representing 66 countries. Rachel Kachaje was elected DPI World Chairperson.
Cairo Declaration
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2016Tokyo, Japan
16th DPI Asia-Pacific Regional Assembly, 23–24 May
Delegations from 14 Member National Assemblies adopted the Tokyo Declaration.
Press release -
2020
The world loses an empowerment model
DPI World Chairperson Rachel Kachaje passed away in 2020.
Tributes -
2025
Abdus Sattar Dulal elected World President
In October 2025 the World President set out his pledge to the World Council for the period to 2027.
Read the message
Read the declarations of DPI’s World Assemblies
From Sapporo 2002 to Cairo 2016, each World Assembly set out the demands of disabled people worldwide.