UN Convention
CRPD Tool Kit
Ratification and implementation tools, and a presentation on the Convention as a tool for mainstreaming and development.
DPI United
Disabled Peoples’ International
A Voice of
Our Own
Disabled Peoples’ International (DPI) is a human rights organization committed to the protection of the rights of people with disabilities and the promotion of their full and equal participation in society.
- Established
- 1981
- Countries
- 130+
- Regions
- 6
Announcement
DPI is pleased to announce the election of Mr. Abdus Sattar Dulal as its World President.
A long-standing disability rights advocate from Bangladesh with over four decades of experience.
About DPI
A world federation of organizations of people with disabilities
Established in 1981, DPI is represented through active membership of national organizations of disabled people in over 130 countries.
Our main objective is to support and empower people with disabilities to be organized and to reach their rights where they live by reinforcing their direct participation at the national, regional and international tables.
Since its founding in 1981, DPI has had the privilege of contributing to a major global shift in the disability rights movement.
Our purpose
What DPI stands for
Human rights, equality, inclusion and participation — at local, national, regional and international levels.
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Protecting rights
Committed to the protection of the rights of people with disabilities.
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Full and equal participation
Promoting the full and equal participation of people with disabilities in society.
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Organized and empowered
Supporting and empowering people with disabilities to be organized and to reach their rights where they live.
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At every decision-making table
Reinforcing the direct participation of people with disabilities at the national, regional and international tables.
Global presence
A global network of national assemblies
DPI is organized in six regions and represented through national organizations of disabled people around the world.
- Year DPI was established
- 1981
- Countries with national organizations of disabled people
- 130+
- National assemblies listed in our directory
- 122
- World Assemblies held — the 9th in Cairo, 2016
- 9
- Africa43 national assemblies · 4 World Council members
- Arab Region8 national assemblies · 4 World Council members
- Asia Pacific25 national assemblies · 4 World Council members
- Europe18 national assemblies · 4 World Council members
- Latin America12 national assemblies · 4 World Council members
- North America and the Caribbean16 national assemblies · 4 World Council members
Human rights
Our rights, our convention, but for all
“There are no human rights to which persons with disabilities do not lay claim.”
DPI helped bring international disability organizations together to draft the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and played a key role in forming the International Disability Caucus, ensuring a strong and united global voice for persons with disabilities.
At the 6th World Assembly in Sapporo in 2002, disabled people demanded a voice of their own in the development of this instrument: We must be consulted at all levels on all matters that concern us.
On 13 December 2006, the UN General Assembly adopted the Convention and its Optional Protocol.
Our advocacy
Putting the Convention into action
Development
Sustainable Development Goals
Full and equal participation of persons with disabilities in the post-2015 development agenda.
United Nations
Conference of States Parties
The 10th and 11th sessions of the Conference of States Parties to the CRPD, 2017 and 2018.
Women and girls
Women and girls with disabilities
DPI is lobbying and fighting for a change in politics for women and girls with disabilities not to be left behind.
News & statements
Latest from DPI
Announcement
DPI announces the election of Mr. Abdus Sattar Dulal as World President
Mr. Dulal, a long-standing disability rights advocate from Bangladesh, brings over four decades of experience in promoting the rights, development and participation of persons with disabilities worldwide.
Message
Message from the DPI Chairperson to the World Council members
“I invite you to reflect on the legacy of our founders as we continue our journey together.” World President Abdus Sattar Dulal sets out his pledge for DPI to 2027.
Editorial
We Want Dialogue, Not War!
Dialogue is the solution, not the war. DPI reiterates that the best way to protect human rights is to negotiate and talk with all stakeholders, not to make guns talk.
Resources
Key documents
The DPI Constitution and Bylaws, World Assembly declarations and tools for implementing the CRPD.
Document of reference
DPI Constitution
The constitution of Disabled Peoples’ International.
Document of reference
DPI Bylaws
The bylaws of Disabled Peoples’ International.
CRPD
Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) Implementation Toolkit
A guide to implementing the Convention, in sections.
Get involved
Find the DPI organization in your country
DPI is a world federation of organizations of people with disabilities. Our national assemblies support people with disabilities to be organized and to reach their rights where they live.