Promoting the collective organization of disabled persons

States should recognize the right of organizations of persons with disabilities to represent persons with disabilities at national, regional and local levels. States should also recognize the advisory role of organizations of persons with disabilities in decision-making on disability matters. States should encourage and support economically and in other ways the formation and strengthening of organizations of persons with disabilities, family members and/or advocates. States should recognize that these organizations have a role to play in the development of disability policy. States should establish ongoing communication with organizations of persons with disabilities and ensure their participation in the development of government policies. The role of organizations of persons with disabilities could be to identify needs and priorities, to participate in the planning, implementation and evaluation of services and measures concerning the lives of persons with disabilities, and to contribute to public awareness and to advocate change. As instruments of self-help, organizations of persons with disabilities provide and promote opportunities for the development of skills in various fields, mutual support among members and information sharing. Organizations of persons with disabilities could perform their advisory role in many different ways such as having permanent representation on boards of government-funded agencies, serving on public commissions and providing expert knowledge on different projects. The advisory role of organizations of persons with disabilities should be ongoing in order to develop and deepen the exchange of views and information between the state and the organizations. Organizations should be permanently represented on the national coordinating committee or similar bodies. The role of local organizations of persons with disabilities should be developed and strengthened to ensure that they influence matters at the Community level.