The demand for statistics on human functioning and disability has greatly increased following the International year of disabled persons (1981), the adoption of the United Nations World programme of action concerning disabled persons (1982), and the release of the standard rules on the equalization of opportunities for persons with disabilities (1993). The world programme of action specifically requested that the United Nations develop systems for the regular collection and dissemination of information on disability.
In 2005 the United Nations statistics division will initiate a systematic and regular collection of basic statistics on human functioning and disability by introducing a disability statistics questionnaire to the existing demographic yearbook data collection system. The United Nations statistics division is currently testing the disability questionnaire and developing tabulation and dissemination plans.
This website is a statistical reference and guide to the standards and methods and available data on functioning and disability