Download Historic Breakthrough
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Rights
"People treat me differently since I got my wheelchair and became more independent. I have a wife - my friends have a wife; I have a child - my friends have a child; I have a business - my friends have a business; we are the same, we are equal now"
Onesmo, Tanzanian wheelchair user
There is an important and fundamental difference between disability and other forms of disadvantage. Disabled people can only organise themselves to claim their rights when their practical needs, such as mobility aids, have been met. Disabled people have a right to be included in all aspects of life. In order to fight for the right to inclusion, disabled people need to live in an environment in which they are empowered.
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Peer to peer training, Romania. Courses in mobility independence and rights are crucial to enable a disabled person to particiapte in society. |
"Nothing about us without us!" Disabled people have the right to make decision that affect their lives. |
Rights training. Education from disabled people themselves. |
Everywhere disabled people's organisations are fighting for the rights of disabled people to be included in society from access to basic services, like education, to the right to influence policy and legislation. They understand that an act such as voting is next to impossible without mobility and a certain level of access.
"What we don't want is welfare handouts; we need to be consulted when decisions are made and we do not have representatives"
Henry Nyumbi, Director, Kilimanjaro Association of the Spinally Injured, Tanzania
We advocate for equal rights for disabled people. Working closely with regional and national partner organisations representing people with mobility disabilities we work with governments and development agencies to create the space to empower disabled people to participate more fully in society.