DPI United

International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2015

Rachel Kachaje,Former Minister of Disability and Elderly Affairs and Chairperson Disabled Women in Africa, Malawi and DPI Interim Chair

It is an honor for me to share my ideas and experiences and even for those of my colleagues in the disability sector all over the world at this International Day of the Disabled Cerebration on the themeInclusion matters: Access and empowerment for people with disabilitieshere in Paris where states from all over the world join their efforts to save the planet and build a sustainable world for future generations.

I have been asked to share my ideas and experiences in the subject of: INCLUSION MATTERS: ACCESS AND EMPOWERMENT FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES. Why the theme Inclusion Matters? It means somebody has been excluded in the matters that affect their lives and in this case people with disabilities have been excluded since time immemorial and time to address or reverse the trend is NOW. When you talk of issues of access, it is a very broad subject as it addresses issues of infrastructure, access to information in accessible formats, transport systems and many others. Let me just give you few examples: a) Yesterday, my friend took me out just around here, we failed to enter few restaurants because they are not accessible, b) Most of the hotels here are not accessible, the organizer’s of this cerebration had some difficulties to find an accommodation for me, “Access and empowerment” they go hand in hand, and people with disabilities have been lobbying and advocating every day and I have come to realize that advocacy without empowerment is equal to nothing. When we talk of equalization of opportunities and we indeed want all people to be included and not left behind then an element of empowering that person has to be always there. he resources to overcome the barriers that oppose the expression of our capabilities or our voice, our lives gained over adversity show that development challenges is our focus, and that there are a lot of resources we do not suspect and a lot of alternative ways to contribute to the collective effort.

The publication by the European Commission on the European Accessibility Act is great potential to bring positive change. The European Disability Forum and its members have worked hard to express recommendations and the disability movement is happy to see that their contributions have been introduced in the final document and will work together with the EU institutions, partner organizations and other stakeholders to make this piece of legislation meaningful for 80 million people with disabilities in Europe, and a gain of comfort for the 743 million European citizens. This is the result of empowering people with disabilities; they need to be their own spokes persons.

In Africa, women have a central role for the development … and women with disabilities have the twin roles to lead the family life and to raise awareness on sustainability. Disabled Women in Africa (DIWA) is doing great work in empowering women and girls with disabilities, we have seen some women becoming senators, others are members of parliament, others Ministers, and many are in decision making positions. Some women have been able to speak out on issues of exploitation, violence and abuse; some girls are now able to go to school.

These positive results must be recognized, encouraged and respected everywhere, first by encouraging and supporting the participation of people with disabilities at all levels, and not only contained in a consultative role, but also considered as one of the pillars of sustainable development. Our voices don’t make the law, but without our contributions and expertise the law misses its targets.

For this theme to become a reality and not a talk show today is the time to start working together on an equal basis and to look on how people with disabilities can be considered and recognize their experiences as valuable assets to contribute to a better world for all and learn the best ways to share the knowledge that comes from their lives.

Our voice is both diverse unique and essential for building a better world tomorrow, breaking barriers, promoting human rights, not only for people with disabilities, BUT FOR ALL.