The United Nations International Year of Disabled Persons (IYDP) 1981, drew attention to the fact that one in ten of the world’s people were disabled, one third of whom were children and the majority lived in developing countries. One of the consequences and challenges was recognition that, by harnessing modern knowledge and technology, the capacity existed to prevent or alleviate many of the caus
es of disability, often at minimal cost. For the first time in history, the time had come when mankind had the knowledge and power to defeat many disabling diseases. Towards the close of this UN International Year, as part of Britain’s contribution and at the suggestion of Sir John Wilson, an international expert group of scientists, doctors, health administrators and politicians was convened by the British Department of Health and Social Security at Leeds Castle under the chairmanship of former Prime Minister, Lord Home. Their brief was to consider practical measures to prevent disablement and they called for decisive action. Sir John and Lady Wilson, together with a group of committed people, worked hard to raise awareness, financial and other resources from governments, civic authorities, the corporate and voluntary sectors and to promote opportunities to prevent needless disability at an international level. Following Sir John’s presentation of the Leeds Castle Declaration to the UN General Assembly, in a spirit of inter-agency collaboration, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), World Health Organisation (WHO) and UNICEF joined together in late 1982 to establish IMPACT as “An international initiative against avoidable disablement”, with Melissa Wells as the first Director, working from an office at WHO in Geneva. In order to stimulate action, Sir John identified priorities and motivated like-minded people in a number of countries, including the United Kingdom, to come together in the formation of national IMPACT organisations; each has shared aims, local trustees, is autonomous and registered in its own country. Collective targets for action include:
• Early identification and treatment of disabling conditions
• Affordable, accessible surgery
• Safer motherhood and child survival
• Ending “hidden hunger” caused by micronutrient malnutrition
• Immunisation
• Active ageing
• (Prevention of trauma was later added)
The global launch and inauguration of the first project took place in New Delhi, India on 2nd October 1983. IMPACT India Foundation was established in 1984 and this was closely followed by the “Polio-free Madras Campaign in 1985 the Bombay Fights Disability” programme and “Cure on Wheels” mobile clinic. The “Lifeline Express” hospital train began work in 1991 and has continued to take specialist care over the vast rail tracks to many parts of India.
