Poland receives the Franklin Delano Roosevelt International Disability Award

The Republic of Poland was at the United Nations with the presentation of Franklin Delano Roosevelt International Disability Award, an honour bestowed on a country that has promoted and protected the rights of their disabled population. The award was presented to Poland’s President Lech Kaczynski by Anna Eleanor Roosevelt, granddaughter of the late president, Franklin D. Roosevelt, at a ceremony held at United Nations Headquarters in New York, New York.
NEW YORK, September 18, 2006 - The Republic of Poland today was honoured at the United Nations with the presentation of Franklin Delano Roosevelt International Disability Award, an honour bestowed on a country that has promoted and protected the rights of their disabled population. The award was presented to Poland’s President Lech Kaczynski by Anna Eleanor Roosevelt, granddaughter of the late president, Franklin D. Roosevelt, at a ceremony held at the United Nations.

Poland has undergone dramatic political, social and economic changes in the past 17 years since the fall of the Iron Curtain. During this time, they have made phenomenal progress in disability inclusion. Their constitution, drawn in 1997, guarantees the full participation of people with disabilities in all facets of life, particularly in employment. This constitutional commitment has been translated into reality in the daily lives of people with disabilities.

The FDR Award consists of a bust of FDR, and a $50,000 cash prize which, this year, will be given to The Association for the Welfare of the Deaf and Blind, a Polish non-government organization that specializes in providing assistance to persons with hearing and vision impairments. Among the services are: rehabilitation and communication training; assistance with employment, purchase of rehabilitation aids, and organization of artistic workshops and events to help integrate deaf and blind persons into society.

“Poland is at the dawn of becoming an economic and social force in Eastern Europe. They are working diligently to ensure that their people with disabilities are included in the prosperity the country is now experiencing,” said The Hon. Michael R. Deland, chairman of the World Committee on Disability, a co-sponsor of the award.

The award was established in 1995 by the World Committee and the Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt Institute, and named after President Franklin Roosevelt who contracted polio at the age of 21, and was elected president of the United States four times.

Anna Roosevelt said, “My grandfather set an incredible example by showing a physical disability does not hinder the heights a person can achieve. I am sure my grandfather would be delighted to witness the accomplishments of the Republic of Poland in assisting their citizens with disabilities.” Poland is the ninth UN member nation to be honoured with this award. Previous winners include: Jordan, Italy, Ecuador, Thailand, Hungary, Ireland, Canada, and the Republic of Korea.

Ambassador William van den Heuvel said, "We are delighted that Poland is receiving this distinguished Award and it is wonderful to see how the FDR International Disability Award has inspired governments to bring people with disabilities into the mainstream of life."