For more than 40 years has NAD supported organisations of persons with disabilities (OPDs) in low- and middle-income countries in their effort to grow stronger, which makes them better placed to advocate for equity. OPDs actively engage government and non-governmental actors to improve the rights of persons with disabilities.
Challenges
Worldwide, having a disability remains one of the most fundamental sources of inequality and exclusion, and persons with disabilities constitute one of the largest and most disadvantaged minority groups. When we are to build equitable, inclusive, and sustainable societies, achieving the rights of persons with disabilities is imperative.
Disability is a part of human diversity. Despite this, persons with disabilities face varying degrees of oppression, discrimination, and exclusion. Cultural and religious beliefs, attitudes, power relations, and lack of knowledge and policies all create and uphold barriers to inclusion. Other barriers include stigma and basic human rights violations such as lack of accessible and disability-inclusive health services, quality education, and employment. In the social and political struggle for resources and basic human rights, persons with disabilities are among the most marginalized and those most often left behind.
NAD’s approach
People with disabilities are experts on their own life situation and must always be included when decisions that affects their lives are taken. NAD works by the principle “nothing about us without us” and solutions should always be mainstream and not segregated.
OPDs are best placed to advocate for the achievement of full participation and fulfillment of equal rights. NAD provides long-term partnerships and systematic support to build strong OPDs that have the knowledge and resources to advocate for their rights in their respective countries.
NAD supports lasting changes in the societies and a sustainable development of the OPD movement. This requires local ownership to the work and that the local partners set their own priorities. Engagement with local authorities is also essential to secure sustainable changes. Development of inclusive policies and laws as well as the implementation of these is a responsibility of the public entities.
NAD is committed to advocate for all international development cooperation and humanitarian aid to be disability inclusive. This entails that all recipients of development funds should mainstream their work regarding disability inclusion. Inclusion is an integral part of all development cooperation.
