In 1992, at the conclusion of the United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons (1983-1992), the General Assembly proclaimed 3 December as the International Day of Disabled Persons. "We are dedicated to assist persons with disabilities to overcome negative community stereotypes and develop skills necessary to be more active members of society and UN’s assistance is important for us," said Hakob Abrahamyan, the President of the "Pyunic" Armenian Association for the Disabled". The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its Optional Protocol was adopted on 13 December 2006 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, and was opened for signature on 30 March 2007. There were 82 signatories to the Convention, 44 signatories to the Optional Protocol, and 1 ratification of the Convention. Armenia was one of the original signatories that day.