Overview
Key facts on disability
- 15 per cent of the world's population have a disability2
- 80 per cent of people with disability live in developing countries
- One in five of the world's poorest people in developing
countries have a disability - There are 93–150 million children under 15 years of age living with a disability worldwide
- National studies of living conditions for people with disability were conducted between 2001 and 2006 in Malawi, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The studies revealed large gaps in service provision for people with disability, with unmet needs particularly high for welfare, assistive devices such as mobility aids, education, vocational training and counselling services.3
Disability inclusiveness must be a priority in any development agenda that aims to benefit those most in need and most marginalised. Against this backdrop, the AACES program aims to provide an opportunity for all people, including people with disability, to lead healthy and productive lives, leaving no one behind. Some excellent progress has been made by AACES partners in this area over the last year and that is why the theme for this second annual report is advancing
disability-inclusive development.
People with disability have the potential to contribute valuable skills, knowledge and abilities to community activities if they are given opportunities. Empowering people with disability to enjoy their rights by actively participating and contributing to community development is both economically and socially beneficial. It not only allows them to earn a living but can also improve their status, and change perceptions and attitudes within communities.
Women, men and children with disability live in every community and are among the poorest and most marginalised.1 Discriminatory practices, largely driven by negative attitudes and traditional beliefs, can deny their basic rights to
education, health care, livelihoods, safe water and improved sanitation. Such practices can also lead to poverty and isolation. As a result of this exclusion, many people with disability also often lack information and the confidence to access available support services. Women with disability regularly face double discrimination on the grounds of both their gender and impairment. Children with disability also face stigma, discrimination and exclusion, which can impede their participation in community life and future employment prospects.
The Australian Government in its work with partner countries is a leader in promoting disability-inclusive development, removing physical barriers and providing services to people with disability. For example, it is supporting people with disability through Disabled People's Organisations (DPOs) to advocate for changes to government policies. It is also working to tackle stigma that still surrounds disability, which can be one of the largest barriers to full participation in community and economic life. It is not right, nor does it make economic sense, that a person's disability should determine whether they can go to school, get a job or participate in community life. Collaboration with DPOs to raise awareness and appreciation of the rights of people with disability has been useful in promoting disability inclusiveness.
AACES and disability-inclusive development
AACES is committed to empowering people with disability so that they gain sustainable access to the services they require.
In 2012–13, AACES supported activities to:
- help more people with disability participate in local decision-making processes by providing information, raising awareness of rights, and providing education to change attitudes and beliefs
- deliver services to people with disability as an essential part of the program
- promote understanding of disability issues among government authorities and service providers and develop their knowledge and skills to strengthen inclusive
planning and service delivery - collaborate with organisations representing people with disability to engage decision-makers and advocate for inclusive programs and better access to services
- strengthen the human and technical resources of organisations representing people with disability to address disability issues more effectively.
During the design of AACES, partners were encouraged to incorporate elements of inclusive programming into their projects. Although this was a new way of working for many of the NGOs, disability was recognised as an area where there was potential for learning and exchange of ideas. In addition, disability and inclusive programming was the focus of a 2012 capacity building workshop, which helped NGOs identify and understand the issues relevant to people with disability. The principle of 'nothing about us without us' was taken on board and NGOs took steps to engage and work meaningfully with DPOs, the experts in this area.4
Disability is not inability–the story of Esnath Sithole
Her face beams when asked to talk about her clothes business. This is the story of resilience, inspiration and hard work. It is a story of overcoming exclusion. This is the story of Esnath Sithole, a 39-year-old entrepreneur in Maronga village, Chipinge district, Zimbabwe.
Esnath was born with a disability. She endured all kinds of stigmatisation and discrimination from the community, including her own family members. 'I had an inside hatred towards myself,' says Esnath. 'The treatment that I got, even from my family members, always made me long for death.'
Esnath says that no one in her community wanted to be associated with her, and it was even worse when her children were equally discriminated against because of her disability.
However, all that changed in October 2011, when Plan International began working in Zimbabwe. Its program aims to enable marginalised people, particularly women and people with disability, to claim rights and access essential services. It also provides protection from gender-based violence and related legal, counselling and other services, particularly by addressing the rights of women and people with disability.
Through the program, Esnath and nine other women, including two people with disability, were trained and enrolled in a village savings and loan (VSL) scheme. VSL is a scheme where members save money and are able to loan to and guarantee each other.
Barely a year after the training and the establishment of the VSL scheme, the transformation is being felt in the community. Members, mostly women, are now actively engaging in income-generating activities. Esnath, who for more than 10 years was relying on handouts for survival, was able to begin her clothes business in January 2013. Her business involves buying and selling clothes, including school uniforms, to other community members, using the money she borrows from the VSL group.
'Opportunities that used to pass me were now coming to me. Through these activities, I have managed to purchase two goats worth 322.43 South African Rand [AUD33.22], and have started upgrading my house,' says Esnath. She adds her success
has 'influenced many other people with disability, like my neighbour who is now broadening her business.' Interestingly, those community members who used to shun her are now her biggest customers. 'Some of the community members are now my regular visitors and they often seek advice from me because I am successfully benefiting from income-generating activities,' she says with a broad smile. 'Now I feel I belong to this community and through VSL, my standard of living has improved.'
Across Zimbabwe, more than 40 VSL groups have been established through the support of Plan International, and villagers are forming many more on their own. Under the VSL scheme, village agents are trained to support the formation and training of VSL groups, and they coach VSL members in income-generating projects. VSL members also receive adult literacy support to improve their numeracy and reading skills.
1. The term 'people with disability' is used here in line with the International Convention for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
2. WHO & World Bank, World Report on Disability (2011), p.28, accessed from the World Health Organization website
3. WHO & World Bank, World Report on Disability (2011), p.28, accessed from the World Health Organization website
4. The motto 'nothing about us without us' focuses on the active involvement of people with disability in the planning of strategies and policies that affect their lives. It has been used by DPOs as part of the global movement to achieve the full participation and equalisation of opportunities for, by and with people with disability.