ABSTRACT
Disability programmes definitely have specific characteristics but they share common traits with other social security programmes. What appears particular about disability is that it is associated with such a diversity of benefits and services, and that these programmes are subject to huge variation among countries. For comparative research, the effort by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) to compile information about disability policy programmes in the member countries will no doubt be of great value. The panellists come from different countries but also from different positions within their own societies. They represent state-financed research, consultancy, social security administration, regional organisations working with disability issues and multilateral organisations. One of the most ambitious programmes for people with severe impairments, the so-called "assistance reform" was implemented in the first part of the 1990s. The importance of engaging persons with impairments and their organisations in the implementation and administration of policies was underscored several times during the session.
