Disability is not Inability

:: Inclusive communication for disability: strengthening South-to-South communication healthlink

A new project will enable disabled people in Africa and Asia to get their voices heard by policy makers. Healthlink Worldwide has received funding from the UK Department of International Development (DFID) to work with four partner organisations on the project.

Partner organisations

• Southern African Federation of the Disabled (SAFOD)
• Central African Federation of the Disabled (FACAPH)
• Social Assistance and Rehabilitation of the Physically Vulnerable (SARPV), Bangladesh
• Blind Persons’ Association of India

Disabled people have few opportunities to influence decisions on policies and services that affect them. As a result, their rights and needs remain unrecognised. This project aims to ensure that disabled peoples organisations (DPOs) represent those at the grassroots, and include their voices in advocacy and policy formation.

There are an estimated 600 million disabled people worldwide, and approximately 80% live in developing countries. Disabled people are often excluded from full participation in society. Disability is a cause and consequence of poverty, and poverty cannot be eliminated without taking into account the rights and needs of disabled people.
What practical activities will take place?

Training and workshops

• Photography training and exhibitions with young disabled people
• Workshops on newsletter production, mailing list management and monitoring and evaluation
• Training on developing effective health learning materials for disabled people Sharing knowledge
• Exchange visits between organisations in Asia and Africa to build relationships and exchange skills
• Partner organisations in Asia will share their learning from the first Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons, 1993-2002 with partner organisations in Africa who are involved with the African Decade of Disabled People, 2000-2009
• Development of global e-mail forum on disability communications
• Production of advocacy and good practice materials within regional contexts, disseminating lessons learned and good practice with other regions
• Regular exchange of material (eg source material, photos, ‘grey’ material and research material) between regions
Advocacy
• National and international advocacy activities on the needs of grassroots disabled people

Why is Healthlink Worldwide involved?

This project builds on previous disability communications work with the partner organisations involved. Healthlink Worldwide will continue to provide technical support where needed.

With a network of over 30 partners globally, Healthlink Worldwide is well placed to facilitate the South-to-South learning, and to disseminate lessons learned. For example, we host the Exchange programme which focuses on the learning from health and disability communication strategies. We are also able to represent Southern learning and needs to agencies and organisations in the North.

Category: Projects

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