The Importance of Disability-Inclusive Development
Empowering persons with disabilities on a country’s Journey to Self-Reliance
In January 2009, while serving as the U.S. Ambassador to Tanzania, I had the honor of presenting the annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drum Major for Justice Award — given in tribute to a Tanzanian who emulates the life and work of the U.S. civil-rights leader.
That year’s award was different — it was dedicated not to one person, but to the entire community of Tanzanians with albinism.
I will never forget how, in the face of cultural stigma, abandonment, infanticide, and shocking violence, this resilient community was waging a peaceful campaign for equality and justice.
Their quest continues today, and their experiences are a vivid reminder of the breadth and depth of discrimination all-too-frequently experienced by the world’s one billion persons with disabilities.
It is no secret that societal barriers place persons with disabilities at increased risk of violence, poverty, poorer health outcomes, marginalization in their communities, and fewer educational and employment opportunities. Such outcomes are not inevitable however.
At USAID, we are working to transform lives, communities and economies in a way that is inclusive of all members of society — including persons with disabilities. This is not only the right thing to do, it is an economic imperative. If countries are to achieve their development potential, persons with disabilities — typically 15 percent or more of the population — must be able to contribute meaningfully to economic and social growth.
Consistent with USAID’s Disability Policy, and responsive to the disability community’s motto of “Nothing About Us Without Us,” we are striving to include persons with disabilities across all of our programmatic portfolios and projects.
Below are five examples of our work to empower persons with disabilities as full and equal participants in their communities, and key players in their countries’ Journey to Self-Reliance.
Reducing Vulnerability to Disasters in Kiribati
In Kiribati, a tiny Pacific archipelago located along the equator, most of the 33 inhabited islands stand just a few meters above the sea, which leaves the population of 105,000 vulnerable to rising sea levels and severe weather. To assist persons with disabilities in this challenging environment, USAID worked with the University of the South Pacific to deliver a five-month management course for government, civil-society and private-sector representatives who are working on disaster resilience projects.
This initiative is part of the USAID Ready project, which rolled out this course across 12 Pacific Island countries. Toam Iabeta, who serves in the Kiribati Ministry of Infrastructure and Sustainable Energy and uses a wheelchair, says that often people with disabilities find themselves left aside while others receive attention in planning activities to reduce the risk of disasters. “However, when their perspectives are represented, whole communities are made more resilient,” he adds.
Supporting News for the Deaf Community in Mozambique
In February 2017, USAID-funded TV Surdo (“Deaf TV”) officially started broadcasting its weekly news program through the largest independent media group in Mozambique, and trained professional and community journalists in all aspects of the media business, including reporting, editing, advocacy and organization. Coverage includes mainstream stories, but also focuses on issues of particular interest to the deaf community — and includes sign language in all programming. “We wanted people to understand that we, despite being deaf, can practice the same activities as people with hearing, and even can contribute to the development of the country,” says Sousa Camanguira, founder and general manager of TV Surdo.
Promoting Support for Inclusive Education
To raise awareness and public support for inclusive education in Paraguay, the USAID-funded Saraki Foundation launched an innovative communication strategy, “Who Trains Who?” It features students with and without disabilities, and has the message that inclusive education benefits everyone — including students, teachers, parents and entire communities. The project raises awareness of the need for an inclusive education system, and develops and implements a pilot for inclusive education — including sports — in select public and private schools. “Inclusive education has improved the overall performance of all children,” said Judith Guastella, the principal of Republic of Panamá School. She adds, “Since we work with inclusion we have reduced school dropouts.”
Supporting Families of Children with Disabilities in Bosnia and Herzegovina
In 2014, a USAID-funded service center for families of children with disabilities opened in Sarajevo — the first of its kind in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Since then, additional centers have opened in Sarajevo, Banja Luka, Foca and Tuzla, in partnership with their respective municipalities. They provide at least 25 different services are provided to some 800 families, including rehabilitation, information, psychological support and respite opportunities for caregivers. Trained teachers, nurses and volunteers offer social and learning opportunities for children with disabilities. The centers also offer a convenient location where parents can learn about their and their children’s rights, and receive guidance on how to apply for other assistance.
Promoting Advocacy on Disability Rights in Libya
In 2013, in the wake of the Libyan revolution, USAID joined the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) to support the formation of the Election Access Working Group — a small group of advocates dedicated to promoting disability-inclusive elections.
The group’s work included an awareness campaign to promote disability rights in Libya called, “Rights Unite.” In 2015, the group established the Libyan Forum of Persons with Disabilities, which successfully advocated for the inclusion of disability in the new constitution. It now includes 40 disabled people’s organizations. This year, in recognition of the group’s progress, IFES released a documentary named in honor of that first advocacy campaign.
About the Author
Mark Green is the Administrator of USAID. Follow him @USAIDMarkGreen. Our development efforts advance American interests by promoting global security, prosperity and self-reliance.
