INCLUDING THE EXCLUDED Disability in Wales and Africa and the Wales Africa Network

Who Am I? Thirty years experience of formal Disability Work Independent Living, British Disability Movement Nine years with the Methodist Church in Kenya (MCK). During this time; Worked - Action on Disability and Development (ADD) Founded - MCK Disability Programme Started - Meru North Disability Community Centre Returned from Kenya believing that; Africa has considerable potential Africa needs to gain confidence in its strengths

Disability in Wales and Africa (DWA) and the Wales Africa Network (WAN) WAN is a series of Links and Networks between Wales and Africa. Within WAN, DWA can; Support WAN initiatives to include disability issues Encourage WAN disability inclusive projects to Network within Wales and Africa. Develop greater awareness of Disability within WAN activities. Enable WAN activists to access support from the broader Disability and development sector. DWA wants to encourage WAN activists to include disabled people within their work. DWA wants to enable African partners to Network within the Welsh Africa Network structures.

DWA, Disability and Development The DWA vision: “A world where Disabled People are full, equal, and participatory members of society.” Is this vision for disabled people feasible within a WAN context? A “Hard to Reach” Community, or Group. Expensive to Service. Value for Money and General Impact. Do we identify with this Vision in Wales, let alone Africa?. The Answer may lie in how we understand the Problem. Is this an Opportunity or a Threat?

DWA Development Strategy The WHO and World Bank (2011) estimated a 15% Global Prevalence of Personal Disability. In Africa this is likely to be higher even amongst younger people. Individual disability experience effects the family, and community. This means that the overall impact of disability is likely to be higher than “1 in 4” of a country’s population. DWA two prong strategy for supporting WAN Disability Inclusive Development: To develop strong Disabled Community Groups, effectively advocating in support of their member’s needs To develop Mainstream Communities with the capacity to respond to the needs of their disabled member.

What Does Mainstreaming Disability and Development Mean? Millennium Development Goals and Disability. 1. Extreme Poverty;- A consequence / cause of disability. Disabled people less likely to work or access community resources. 2. Universal Primary Education;- Unachievable until disabled children attend school. The correlation between disability and low education attainment is often stronger than Gender or Rural Residency. 3. Gender Equality;- Double discrimination, Gender and Disability. More vulnerable to domestic violence and lack education opportunities. The care needs of disabled children, fall very largely on women. 4. Child Mortality;- Many disabled children die from cultural attitudes and neglect, due to low quality of life expectations. Also poor access to health services.

MDG AND Disability Slide 2 5. Maternal Health;- Women experience disability due to pregnancy and child birth complications. Disabled women may need specific support during pregnancy or childbirth. Many disabling conditions originate during pregnancy, birth, or postnatal. 6. Infectious Diseases;- Diseases, such as HIV/AIDS and Malaria, regularly cause disabilities. Disabled people less likely to be targeted by awareness raising campaigns 7. Sustainable Environment;- Poor water, sanitation, and natural disasters, all cause disabilities. Disabled people are more likely to lack access to wells and latrines. 8. Global Partnership;- Disability is a global issue both within the advocacy and the service provision sector. The lives of disabled people, and their families, are directly affected by mainstream development decisions.

Disability Inclusive Development Disability is often seen as high-tech, with specially trained workers and big money. (The Six Million Dollar Man) Only 20% of rehabilitation activities require specialist support. Mainstreaming disability issues is central if you are to service the 80%. Linking disability with the community as a whole. Identifying disabled people as part of the solution rather than remaining the problem.

The Story of a Bridge An Occupational Therapist was asked by a father to find a special school for his wheelchair using daughter to attend. There was a ditch between the family home and the local school, with an old, and rather weak, bridge. The OT contacted the Chief who organises the village workmen to repair the bridge. The daughter can go to the local school The community have a stronger bridge

What Does DWA Hope To Achieve Mainstreaming disability and development – ensuring disability is included in all Wales Africa initiatives. Ensuring that disabled people’s experience and expertise is recognised in development work – both disability and mainstream. Portraying Disabled People and their needs, as central to vibrant community development.

Disability in Wales and Africa Included the Excluded By Mainstreaming Disability and Development