DPI pursues a small number of enduring objectives, expressed in its founding purpose of full participation, equalisation of opportunity and development:
- Promote the human rights of persons with disabilities — through the ratification, implementation and monitoring of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and through advocacy in international and regional human-rights systems.
- Promote the economic and social inclusion of persons with disabilities — including disability-inclusive development cooperation and the inclusion of persons with disabilities in national poverty-reduction plans and in the 2030 Agenda.
- Develop and support organisations of persons with disabilities — strengthening national assemblies and grassroots organisations, and building leadership, with particular attention to women and youth with disabilities.
- Enable self-representation and participation — ensuring that persons with disabilities are consulted and participate directly in all decisions and processes that affect their lives, at national, regional and international level.
The full objects of the organisation are set out in the DPI Constitution.