Disability is not Inability

:: Mainstreaming disability in governments

The UN Convention for Rights of People with Disabilities is an attempt at inclusion of a historically marginalized population. Legitimate governments in developing economies must pursue development programs inclusive of all citizens. These programs need tools that empower meaningful participation at various levels of governance targeting poverty eradication.

Empowerment of the disability community to take political action is one of the components of the CBR guidelines. At national level as was the case of the Kenyan Disability Manifesto and at constituency level where advocasy by Disabled people organisations (DPOs) to participate the Constituency development fund is mobilised.

Historically, governments lacked such tools for structured mainstreaming of disability in development process which has led to deep roots of poverty in disability. Gender movements provides vital lessons and tools to achieve the objective of widening the choices and expansion of capabilities of people with disabilities to access economic, social and political opportunities.

Mainstreaming disability in national budgeting process within a multi-sectoral strategy that promotes inclusive development in an inclusive society’ using universal development design and community action to ensure empowered equality, participation with sustainability, provides powerful new opportunities.

The perception that spending in adjustments to empower people with disabilities, historically seen as unproductive, are high gives, way to structured development policies ensuring access of all within progressive resource availability.

Working in an evidence - based framework with international standards as provided by the community - based rehabilitation (CBR) guidelines, significant number of innovative policies could be implemented within developing economies pursuing visions to reach middle income status.

Joel Omondi

disabilitykenya

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