1. Asia-Pacific Network of Independent Living

2. CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK Independent Living Movement for Reforming Customary National Disability Policy in Pakistan

3. Rationale  There are More than billion persons with disabilities worldwide, about 15 % including 600 million women with disabilities. (WHO, WB. 2011:7). The systematic exclusion is the key factor behind the growing campaigns for the reformation of customary disability policies world-wide RATIONALE

4. Independent Living Health Social Services Education Employment Independent Living Health Social Services Education Employment PWD Physical Environment Information & Communication Regulations & Systems Thoughts & Attitudes PWD Prejudice/Discrimination/Human-Rights Violations/Poverty Socially VulnerableEconomically Poor BARRIERS No Equal participation EXAMINATION OF EXISTING PRACTICE

5. The contribution of Disabled People’s Organization in the form of coherent movement goes beyond leading the campaigns to make a radical change in the system BRINGING A PARADIGM SHIFT IN THE SOCIETY  REQUIRES A LONG-TERM COMMITMENT  FLEXIBLE SUPPORT MECHANISMS  DECISIONS MAKING POWER  LEADERSHIP ROLE IN THE CONTEXT OF POLITICAL AND CULTURAL UNDERPINNING

6. Policies  In Asia and the Pacific region, increasing numbers of governments have committed to dealing with disability issues by adopting:  Biwako Millennium Framework (2003–2012)  United Nations (UN) Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). STATE’S COMMITMENT

7. actual accountability  Move beyond mere visibility for persons with disabilities rights to actual accountability  Issues to considered at every level  Issues to considered at every level of the development, within every committee, convention, and assembly. cross-culturally, remaining sensitive  To continue organizing cross-culturally, remaining sensitive to the needs and desires of PWDs from every region of the world CHALLENGES

8. INDEPENDENT LIVING SKILLS Development of sound leadership, management and organizational capabilities, INDEPENDENT LIVING SKILLS in addition to effective advocacy skills Accessible infrastructure requires development Training and awareness- raising for stakeholders CREATING CHANGE THROUGH THE NEW DECADE

9. Thank You Abia Akram abia.akram@gmail.com