Six women have been elected* to the UN committee that monitors implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, meaning gender parity has been achieved for the first time – a result that answers the call of Sightsavers’ Equal World campaign for the committee to better represent the people it exists to serve.

The committee is made up of 18 members, with nine positions up for election every two years. Sightsavers previously campaigned for better representation of women in the 2018 election, which saw the number of women on the committee grow from just one to six. In 2020, campaign supporters also called for greater diversity of members, including people with different types of impairment and people from low and middle income countries.

The six women elected are Rosa Idalia Aldana Salguero (Guatemala), Odelia Fitoussi (Israel), Gerel Dondovdorj (Mongolia), Soumia Amrani (Morocco), Vivian Fernández de Torrijo (Panama) and Saowalak Thongkuay (Thailand). This means that of the 18-member committee, 12 members will be women.

Other positive results of the vote include the re-election of Sir Robert Martin from New Zealand, who is the first member of the committee with an intellectual disability.

Tessa Murphy, Sightsavers’ campaign manager, said: “Our campaign supporters from across the globe played a leading role in securing this long-awaited change with nearly 4,000 campaigners sending messages to their UN representatives to uphold disability rights, and call for gender equality and diversity on the CRPD committee. Thanks to their support we now have a committee that better reflects the very different challenges faced by women and men with disabilities. While we’re happy to see Sir Robert Martin re-elected, there is still a need for better representation of impairment, and more members from low income countries. But we’re thrilled to have finally reached the goal of gender parity on the committee.”

*This news story was updated following confirmation of the ninth member, who was voted on to the committee on 11 December 2020 after the third round of voting (following the election of eight people on 30 November).

Six women have been elected* to the UN committee that monitors implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, meaning gender parity has been achieved for the first time – a result that answers the call of Sightsavers’ Equal World campaign for the committee to better represent the people it exists to serve.

The committee is made up of 18 members, with nine positions up for election every two years. Sightsavers previously campaigned for better representation of women in the 2018 election, which saw the number of women on the committee grow from just one to six. In 2020, campaign supporters also called for greater diversity of members, including people with different types of impairment and people from low and middle income countries.

The six women elected are Rosa Idalia Aldana Salguero (Guatemala), Odelia Fitoussi (Israel), Gerel Dondovdorj (Mongolia), Soumia Amrani (Morocco), Vivian Fernández de Torrijo (Panama) and Saowalak Thongkuay (Thailand). This means that of the 18-member committee, 12 members will be women.

Other positive results of the vote include the re-election of Sir Robert Martin from New Zealand, who is the first member of the committee with an intellectual disability.

Tessa Murphy, Sightsavers’ campaign manager, said: “Our campaign supporters from across the globe played a leading role in securing this long-awaited change with nearly 4,000 campaigners sending messages to their UN representatives to uphold disability rights, and call for gender equality and diversity on the CRPD committee. Thanks to their support we now have a committee that better reflects the very different challenges faced by women and men with disabilities. While we’re happy to see Sir Robert Martin re-elected, there is still a need for better representation of impairment, and more members from low income countries. But we’re thrilled to have finally reached the goal of gender parity on the committee.”

*This news story was updated following confirmation of the ninth member, who was voted on to the committee on 11 December 2020 after the third round of voting (following the election of eight people on 30 November).

Six women have been elected* to the UN committee that monitors implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, meaning gender parity has been achieved for the first time – a result that answers the call of Sightsavers’ Equal World campaign for the committee to better represent the people it exists to serve.

The committee is made up of 18 members, with nine positions up for election every two years. Sightsavers previously campaigned for better representation of women in the 2018 election, which saw the number of women on the committee grow from just one to six. In 2020, campaign supporters also called for greater diversity of members, including people with different types of impairment and people from low and middle income countries.

The six women elected are Rosa Idalia Aldana Salguero (Guatemala), Odelia Fitoussi (Israel), Gerel Dondovdorj (Mongolia), Soumia Amrani (Morocco), Vivian Fernández de Torrijo (Panama) and Saowalak Thongkuay (Thailand). This means that of the 18-member committee, 12 members will be women.

Other positive results of the vote include the re-election of Sir Robert Martin from New Zealand, who is the first member of the committee with an intellectual disability.

Ali Bough, Sightsavers Ireland’s communications and public engagement manager, said: “We’re very happy with the result of the committee election. We’re grateful to our campaign supporters, who took action by sending hundreds of messages to TDs, calling on them to ensure Ireland voted for diversity and gender equality in the committee election. Thanks to their support, along with nearly 4,000 messages sent by other campaigners around the world to their UN representatives, we now have a committee that better reflects the very different challenges faced by both women and men with disabilities.”

*This news story was updated following confirmation of the ninth member, who was voted on to the committee on 11 December 2020 after the third round of voting (following the election of eight people on 30 November).

Six women have been elected* to the UN committee that monitors implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, meaning gender parity has been achieved for the first time – a result that answers the call of Sightsavers’ Equal World campaign for the committee to better represent the people it exists to serve.

The committee is made up of 18 members, with nine positions up for election every two years. Sightsavers previously campaigned for better representation of women in the 2018 election, which saw the number of women on the committee grow from just one to six. In 2020, campaign supporters also called for greater diversity of members, including people with different types of impairment and people from low and middle income countries.

The six women elected are Rosa Idalia Aldana Salguero (Guatemala), Odelia Fitoussi (Israel), Gerel Dondovdorj (Mongolia), Soumia Amrani (Morocco), Vivian Fernández de Torrijo (Panama) and Saowalak Thongkuay (Thailand). This means that of the 18-member committee, 12 members will be women.

Other positive results of the vote include the re-election of Sir Robert Martin from New Zealand, who is the first member of the committee with an intellectual disability.

Tessa Murphy, Sightsavers’ campaign manager, said: “Our campaign supporters from across the globe played a leading role in securing this long-awaited change with nearly 4,000 campaigners sending messages to their UN representatives to uphold disability rights, and call for gender equality and diversity on the CRPD committee. Thanks to their support we now have a committee that better reflects the very different challenges faced by women and men with disabilities. While we’re happy to see Sir Robert Martin re-elected, there is still a need for better representation of impairment, and more members from low income countries. But we’re thrilled to have finally reached the goal of gender parity on the committee.”

*This news story was updated following confirmation of the ninth member, who was voted on to the committee on 11 December 2020 after the third round of voting (following the election of eight people on 30 November).

Sightsavers partners with companies around the world to help them foster more inclusive working environments for people with disabilities.

Through the Inclusive Futures Initiative Work stream, Sightsavers has helped corporate teams in Bangladesh, Kenya, Nigeria and Uganda to recruit and support employees with disabilities in a range of professions. Here, they share their success stories.

Kenya

East African Breweries Limited, based in Kenya, was passionate about pioneering new disability inclusive practices in the workplace and looked to Sightsavers for guidance. “One of the challenges we had before was that we didn’t know how to do it,” says Eric Kiniti, corporate relations director at the company. Implementing changes such as new recruitment practices and conducting accessibility audits of the office can be tricky for businesses to navigate without the experience and expertise behind them – and this is where Sightsavers comes in.

“But now we’ve found a credible partner who’s done this before, we’re very excited that we are able to roll this out,” Eric adds. “They bring expertise that we don’t have… I think it’s a very valued partnership.”

The Inclusive Futures Work stream is helping to make practical changes to the way companies train and hire people with disabilities. Since 2018, the programme has been testing innovative ways to help more people access employment in four countries: Bangladesh, Kenya, Nigeria and Uganda. The programme works with private sector companies to help them become more attractive workplaces for people with disabilities and more confident in hiring and training employees with different types of impairment.

Munyori Evans, head of human resources for Standard Chartered bank in Nairobi, is passionate about improving diversity among his staff. Partnering with Sightsavers brought the knowledge and experience the company needed to put ideas into practice: “We are stepping into this now with a bit more information in our hands and with a bit more confidence that this is doable and institutions and organisations like ours need to do this,” he states. “All of that requires partnership and there is no single institution that can do that alone, and that is why I’m calling out for private and public [institutions] to come together. That is what excites me about this partnership.”

Munyori has witnessed the benefits of the fresh perspectives people with disabilities can offer. “The experience for me has been eye opening,” he says. “It’s been a learning journey. [The employees] have challenged us on how our building looks [in terms of accessibility], what we need to take care of in terms of the systems and the processes.”

The new approach has also enhanced the services they provide. One of their employees who has a visual impairment worked with them to develop more accessible online materials. Munyori notes: “That produced a deliberate attempt to then say, ‘how do we ensure that our learning programmes are well-geared towards the visually impaired?’ And, now we have accessible programmes for the visually impaired, which we continue to develop.”

Nigeria

Inclusive Futures tackles low employment rates among people with disabilities by working with companies to develop more inclusive recruitment practices. Ikeja Electric, a power supplier for sub-Saharan Africa based in Lagos, Nigeria, collaborated with Sightsavers to make adjustments to its practices. “For us, we do not look for the typical things that most employers look out for, which is more around what educational qualifications you bring on the table,” says Henry Ajibola, the company’s chief human resource and administration officer. “We look at things like creativity, problem solving, how analytical you are, and what value you create at work.”

So far, the new approach has helped them bring two employees with disabilities on board who are excelling in their new roles. “They bring tenaciousness, resilience to their work, and dedication,” adds Henry. “Those are the things they bring on a daily basis that have made them stand out in the work that they do.”

Uganda

Deus Turyatemba, who has a visual impairment, works as a sustainability manager at Standard Chartered Bank in Uganda, overseeing the bank’s diversity and inclusion agenda. But 10 years ago, as a young graduate with a disability, he struggled to find employment until he was hired by Standard Chartered, which has a strong ethos of embracing diversity and inclusion. “I credit my own success to having found an inclusive workplace where I have been able to develop and apply my talents. My hope is that the [Inclusive Futures initiative] will make this a possibility for many more young people in Uganda and beyond.”

“At Standard Chartered we are more than happy to be part of the initiative. Building on our past experience we are optimistic that we can play a fantastic role in shaping the future of people with disabilities.”

In Uganda, the Federation of Ugandan Employers has been building the case for inclusive employment with businesses in the country. “The starting point is information,” says the Federation’s CEO, Douglas Opio. “This is what we’ve been doing together with partners like Sightsavers… What we have been trying to do is raise some awareness, in other words to make employers disability confident. Some of them have their doubts, but of course when you explain to them of course they understand what needs to be done.”

Working closely with HR managers is key in helping companies implement policies to hire people with disabilities and make reasonable accommodations for them, such as providing information in braille. “It doesn’t happen accidentally but deliberately,” Douglas adds. “If you have a policy in place then that can be done.”

Bangladesh

Another organisation implementing inclusive policies is Shwapno, a supermarket chain in Bangladesh. Sabir Hasan Nasir, the company’s CEO, is passionate about hiring people with disabilities: “While others discriminate and don’t recruit [people with impairments], we look forward to having them on board in our organisation.”

The chain’s head of HR, Shah Md. Rijyi Rony, shares the same belief and has worked with Sightsavers to diversify new recruits. “Because we want a diverse workforce, we try to look at the skills a candidate has or what skills they can develop and how we can match a job to those skills. We don’t only hope they will progress to management; that’s in our policy. We want a workforce that is gender inclusive, that is disability inclusive.”

“For us, working with [civil society] partners like Sightsavers is the way to go,” says Henry from Ikeja Electric. He found that his business benefited hugely from the support and expertise Inclusion Works offered when Ikeja began its journey to becoming more inclusive. “A lot of organisations will struggle [with] how they can fit into that agenda of inclusiveness, which is where partners like Sightsavers come into play, to support organisations like ours.”

Once you’ve gathered the knowledge as an organisation, Henry’s advice to other employers is to just take the plunge. “If the person has the capability to do the work, make those provisions within the organisation, restructure your workspaces, ensure that the right work tools to enable these individuals to be successful in the workplace are put in place.”

Emmanuel Michael, head of human capital at Letshego Finance, a microfinance bank based in Lagos, Nigeria, is also encouraging other employers to hire people with disabilities and support them to achieve their potential. “The important thing is to identify what is the strength of this particular person that we want to bring on board, what can they do? And then we position them in the area where they have a strength for.”

“I’m calling an all employers in Nigeria and outside Nigeria, to go out there, identify people living with disabilities, identify their strength areas and how they can help to improve their businesses,” Emmanuel adds.

The Chartered Institute of Personnel Management, also based in Nigeria, worked with Sightsavers successfully to make its recruitment practices more inclusive for people with disabilities. “We are very excited at the institute that we are beginning to play a key role in driving this conversation… I would like to strongly, very strongly recommend Inclusive Futures Work Stream to employers out there,” says Gbenga Totoye, director for membership and market development at the institute.

Are you interested in taking the next step to ensure your business is a more inclusive workplace for all? Take advantage of our employers’ toolkit, a portfolio of practical guides, checklists, case studies and resources which make it easier for any business to deliver the best practice we call ‘disability confidence’. Find out more about the toolkit here.

Inclusive Futures is funded by UK aid. It demonstrates the UK government’s commitment to global leadership on inclusive development by ensuring people with disabilities are central to international development policymaking and programmes.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has published a report on its progress towards the UK government’s disability inclusion strategy, which was launched in December 2018.

The report highlights the progress made in the 18 months since the strategy was published (by what was then the Department for International Development) and shows the key lessons that have been learnt during that time.

Hannah Loryman, head of policy for Sightsavers, said: “The new FCDO report builds on the huge progress that the Department for International Development had been making since the International Development Committee inquiry and first Disability Framework that was published in 2014. It is positive to see the progress made in mainstreaming disability – with all offices now having a disabiltiy champion in place and a 36 per cent rise in programmes marked as disability-inclusive since 2017. It is also positive to see that some countries, such as Nigeria, have begun to work towards meeting the ‘higher achievement’ standards set out in the strategy. It is critical that work continues to ensure that all countries meet the standards as soon as possible.

She continued: “While the report shows progress has been made, there is still a lot to do to make sure the FCDO can meet its ambition and commitments on disability inclusion – in particular, the strategy needs to be updated for the FCDO and embedded across the department’s work. It is also critical that the influencing role that DFID played is built upon and that the FCDO uses its global leadership to support and influence others to do more in this important area.”

The publication of a disability inclusion strategy by the UK government was the first call of Sightsavers’ policy campaign (then known as Put Us in the Picture) for disability back in 2013. The launch of the framework in 2014 was an early campaign success, and in 2018 the publication of the UK government’s disability inclusion strategy marked a major campaign milestone. Sightsavers supporters have continued to call for world leaders to be held accountable for their commitments on disability inclusion through the organisation’s Equal World campaign.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has published a report on its progress towards the UK government’s disability inclusion strategy, which was launched in December 2018.

The report highlights the progress made in the 18 months since the strategy was published (by what was then the Department for International Development) and shows the key lessons that have been learnt during that time.

Hannah Loryman, head of policy for Sightsavers, said: “The new FCDO report builds on the huge progress that the Department for International Development had been making since the International Development Committee inquiry and first Disability Framework that was published in 2014. It is positive to see the progress made in mainstreaming disability – with all offices now having a disabiltiy champion in place and a 36 per cent rise in programmes marked as disability-inclusive since 2017. It is also positive to see that some countries, such as Nigeria, have begun to work towards meeting the ‘higher achievement’ standards set out in the strategy. It is critical that work continues to ensure that all countries meet the standards as soon as possible.

She continued: “While the report shows progress has been made, there is still a lot to do to make sure the FCDO can meet its ambition and commitments on disability inclusion – in particular, the strategy needs to be updated for the FCDO and embedded across the department’s work. It is also critical that the influencing role that DFID played is built upon and that the FCDO uses its global leadership to support and influence others to do more in this important area.”

The publication of a disability inclusion strategy by the UK government was the first call of Sightsavers’ policy campaign (then known as Put Us in the Picture) for disability back in 2013. The launch of the framework in 2014 was an early campaign success, and in 2018 the publication of the UK government’s disability inclusion strategy marked a major campaign milestone. Sightsavers supporters have continued to call for world leaders to be held accountable for their commitments on disability inclusion through the organisation’s Equal World campaign.

Although unable to celebrate in person, the entries for the Junior Painter of the Year awards for 2019/2020 were remarkable.

Due to government guidelines, the annual awards ceremony for the Junior Painter contest had to be cancelled. Participants’ certificates and the winners’ prizes were posted to them. The Junior Painter contest, open to primary school children across Ireland, inspires hundreds of budding young artists to promote equality for people with disabilities in developing countries through art.

With over 900 entries received from children aged four to 13, the judges had a tremendously difficult job choosing the finalists.

Prizes were awarded by class category with two prizes for each class group.

• Junior and Senior infants
• 1^st and 2^nd class
• 3^rd and 4^th class
• 5^th and 6^th class

The overall national winner received a Samsung Galaxy tablet with S pen, and a one-year membership of ReCreate and a ReCreate Revolution workshop for their school.

The first runner-up received an engraved wooden box set of Derwent Coloursoft pencils, a year-long ReCreate membership for their school and an invitation for their class class to a workshop at ReCreate’s Warehouse in Dublin – a must see.

The second runner-up received an engraved wooden box set of Derwent Coloursoft pencils and a year-long membership to ReCreate for the their school, worth €250.

All finalists also received a certificate for participation and a small trophy plaque.

Workshops have not yet restarted with ReCreate. Once they are back up and running, the workshop prizes will be sent to schools.

Although unable to celebrate in person, the entries for the Junior Painter of the Year awards for 2019/2020 were remarkable.

Due to government guidelines, the annual awards ceremony for the Junior Painter contest had to be cancelled. Participants’ certificates and the winners’ prizes were posted to them. The Junior Painter contest, open to primary school children across Ireland, inspires hundreds of budding young artists to promote equality for people with disabilities in developing countries through art.

With over 900 entries received from children aged four to 13, the judges had a tremendously difficult job choosing the finalists.

Prizes were awarded by class category with two prizes for each class group.

• Junior and Senior infants
• 1^st and 2^nd class
• 3^rd and 4^th class
• 5^th and 6^th class

The overall national winner received a Samsung Galaxy tablet with S pen, and a one-year membership of ReCreate and a ReCreate Revolution workshop for their school.

The first runner-up received an engraved wooden box set of Derwent Coloursoft pencils, a year-long ReCreate membership for their school and an invitation for their class class to a workshop at ReCreate’s Warehouse in Dublin – a must see.

The second runner-up received an engraved wooden box set of Derwent Coloursoft pencils and a year-long membership to ReCreate for the their school, worth €250.

All finalists also received a certificate for participation and a small trophy plaque.

Workshops have not yet restarted with ReCreate. Once they are back up and running, the workshop prizes will be sent to schools.

Overall national winners 

• 1st: Sheana F, Ballybryan National School, Fahy, Rhode, Co. Offaly
• 2nd: Ella T, Scoil Mhuire na nGael, Bay Estate, Dundalk, Co. Louth
• 3rd: Aine B, St Baithins National School, Dundee, Co. Donegal

 Class category winners

Junior and senior infants 

• Ailish B, Our Lady of Mercy Primary School, Cahir, Co. Tipperary.
• Niall D B, Our Lady of Mercy Primary School, Cahir, Co. Tipperary (Special commendation)

1^st and 2^nd Class

• Megan M, St Fintan’s National School, Taghmon, Co. Wexford
• Gabriella C, Cloghroe National School, Blarney, Co. Cork
• Kate D, Glinsk National School, Co. Galway

3^rd and 4^th Class:

• Brooke D, Scoil Bhride, Navan, Co. Meath
• Caitlín Mc, St Patrick Girls National School, Carndonagh, Co. Donegal
• Sophia O’B, St Patrick Girls National School, Carndonagh, Co. Donegal (Special commendation)
• Lucy C, Mount Hanover National School, Duleek, Co. Meath

5^th and 6^th Class:

• Zohra S, St Columba’s NS with Facility for Deaf Children, Douglas, Co. Cork (special commendation)
• Sineida L, Scoil Mhuire na nGael, Bay Estate, Dundalk, Co. Louth (special commendation).

Sightsavers’ disability rights campaign, Equal World, has won the Digital Innovation category in the 2020 Third Sector Awards with its unique campaign petition app.

The app, developed by Sightsavers’ in-house technical team, allowed staff in programme countries to collect signatures for the Equal World petition from people living in areas without internet coverage. Participants signed their name with a finger on a phone or tablet that had the app downloaded. Their information was stored until the petition signature collector returned to an area with coverage, at which point the data was uploaded and available to Sightsavers’ UK-based campaign team.

Tessa Murphy, Sightsavers’ campaign manager, said: “We’re thrilled and proud to have won Third Sector’s Digital Innovation award. The Equal World petition app meant that we could reach people living in remote areas who are traditionally excluded from this type of online activity. We were able to add their voices to our petition calling for the United Nations to uphold disability rights, and present their petition signatures to the Under-Secretary-General Ana Maria Menéndez at UN headquarters in New York.

“Our in-house technical team did a great job in developing the app, and our advocacy advisers and staff in country offices worked tirelessly to collect signatures using the app out in the field in countries from Guinea to Pakistan. All of this helped us achieve our goal of collecting 50,000 petition signatures in support of a more equal world.”

More information and a full list of award winners can be found on the Third Sector website.

Sightsavers’ disability rights campaign, Equal World, has won the Digital Innovation category in the 2020 Third Sector Awards with its unique campaign petition app.

The app, developed by Sightsavers’ in-house technical team, allowed staff in programme countries to collect signatures for the Equal World petition from people living in areas without internet coverage. Participants signed their name with a finger on a phone or tablet that had the app downloaded. Their information was stored until the petition signature collector returned to an area with coverage, at which point the data was uploaded and available to Sightsavers’ UK-based campaign team.

Tessa Murphy, Sightsavers’ campaign manager, said: “We’re thrilled and proud to have won Third Sector’s Digital Innovation award. The Equal World petition app meant that we could reach people living in remote areas who are traditionally excluded from this type of online activity. We were able to add their voices to our petition calling for the United Nations to uphold disability rights, and present their petition signatures to the Under-Secretary-General Ana Maria Menéndez at UN headquarters in New York.

“Our in-house technical team did a great job in developing the app, and our advocacy advisers and staff in country offices worked tirelessly to collect signatures using the app out in the field in countries from Guinea to Pakistan. All of this helped us achieve our goal of collecting 50,000 petition signatures in support of a more equal world.”

More information and a full list of award winners can be found on the Third Sector website.

Sightsavers’ Connecting the Dots initiative in Uganda offers young people with disabilities the opportunity to learn a new trade and gain valuable work experience.

We speak to Isaac Bolingo, an employer who has welcomed five interns at his business and is now championing the scheme to other employers.

Over 500 young people in the Masindi area of Western Uganda have taken part in Connecting the Dots, a scheme that links them up with training and employment opportunities. After completing a three-month course learning a trade of their choice – including construction work, welding, tailoring or hairdressing – they are connected with local employers where they spend three to six months working on the job.

Isaac is a local businessman who owns a thriving mechanics shop in Masindi town called Isaac’s Motorcycle Spares and Garage. He has taken on five young people with disabilities as part of our programme to become trainee mechanics and is training graduates from the scheme for the second year running. One of his first trainees was Sharif, a 24-year-old who is deaf. After completing his course at a local technical college, he took part in the employment programme’s careers fair in town, where he joined other young people from the scheme to celebrate their hard work and connect with potential employers. At the careers fair, the graduates were each given a toolkit for their trade, so they would be fully equipped to begin their career.

Sightsavers’ Connecting the Dots initiative in Uganda offers young people with disabilities the opportunity to learn a new trade and gain valuable work experience.

We speak to Isaac Bolingo, an employer who has welcomed five interns at his business and is now championing the scheme to other employers.

Over 500 young people in the Masindi area of Western Uganda have taken part in Connecting the Dots, a scheme that links them up with training and employment opportunities. After completing a three-month course learning a trade of their choice – including construction work, welding, tailoring or hairdressing – they are connected with local employers where they spend three to six months working on the job.

Isaac is a local businessman who owns a thriving mechanics shop in Masindi town called Isaac’s Motorcycle Spares and Garage. He has taken on five young people with disabilities as part of our programme to become trainee mechanics and is training graduates from the scheme for the second year running. One of his first trainees was Sharif, a 24-year-old who is deaf. After completing his course at a local technical college, he took part in the employment programme’s careers fair in town, where he joined other young people from the scheme to celebrate their hard work and connect with potential employers. At the careers fair, the graduates were each given a toolkit for their trade, so they would be fully equipped to begin their career.

Sharif excelled at his new job and is now a paid member of staff at Isaac’s garage. He’s now working without needing any instruction (as Isaac proudly tells us) and is supporting himself financially. Sharif says that if he hadn’t enrolled on the scheme, he would still be at home. “I’d be in the village doing nothing! Maybe only digging [farming work] – that would be the only work… it is difficult to find a job.”

Joel and Ronald, recent graduates from the scheme, have joined Sharif as trainee mechanics at Isaac’s garage and the three have become close friends. “I thought there were only a few people with disabilities when I was young,” says Ronald, “but when I came here [to Masindi], I found a lot and I said, ‘Ah, there are many people who have disabilities…’ We are all friends, all of us taking courses.”

As a person with a visual impairment, Ronald has found that people’s attitudes towards him can often be negative and he is treated differently to everyone else. But Isaac has been supportive, encouraging and friendly: “He’s a good person,” says Ronald. “He told me that if I work hard, I will stay with him.” Ronald’s excited about staying on at the garage after completing the internship, or using his new skills to work at another big garage in the town.

Learning to communicate

Isaac has embraced the opportunity to train young people with disabilities, but he knows that this can seem challenging to other employers. “The problem businessmen face sometimes is communicating with [people with disabilities]; sometimes it becomes a problem,” he says. But he explains that the key is patience, willingness to learn, and spending time with people: “You start learning slowly and eventually you find that you can [work with] that person properly.”

Isaac and Sharif had to learn to communicate effectively. Sharif communicates by using sign language, which he is teaching Isaac whenever there’s a spare moment. “He is a very good man – not only to me, but to others,” Sharif says about his boss. “I have learned from him, and I also try to teach him some signs, because I want him to learn and for us to communicate.”

Creating opportunities

The employment programme has transformed the lives of more than 500 young people like Sharif in this area of Uganda. Many young people with disabilities struggle to find work and often end up staying at home and relying on family members to support them. Connecting the Dots offers these young people more independence and a chance to earn their own income.

The programme is also helping to shift negative attitudes in the community by showing that people with disabilities can be valued, productive employees for local businesses.

As an employer, Isaac has found the experience very positive and wants to encourage more businesses to take part. His advice for other employers? Take the time to understand your trainees. “Handle the students [you] receive according to the way they are, because if you start now to mishandle the students there will be no understanding between each other. Work hard and give them your all,” he says. “If they are given the chance of working they can do something good – they surprise you.”

Following the success of Connecting the Dots, Sightsavers has launched a new employment programme in four countries (Uganda, Nigeria, Bangladesh and Kenya). Inclusive Futures, funded by UK aid, is testing innovative ways to improve job opportunities for people with disabilities of all ages, enabling them to find decent work, earn a living and pursue their career goals. We want to see more people with disabilities, such as Sharif, have an equal chance to reach their potential.

The European Commission funded the economic empowerment programme from 2012, and additional funding was awarded in August 2017 by the National Lottery Community Fund. This generous support has helped to transform the lives of hundreds of young people with disabilities in Uganda.

A graduate of Sightsavers’ innovative inclusive training programme Connecting the Dots is standing for election as a local council chairperson at sub-county level in Masindi district, Uganda.

Atugonza Milton Isaac, who studied computing through Sightsavers’ programme and went on to support  other young people with disabilities to gain training, is campaigning for the election. The primary round will take place in Masindi on 16 September.

Sightsavers’ campaign manager, Tessa Murphy, said: “It’s wonderful to see a graduate of Sightsavers’ training and employment programme go on to develop their career and be able to pursue their dreams. Over the past few years Atugonza has been a vocal supporter of our Equal World campaign for disability rights, and we wish him every success in the elections.”

The groundbreaking Connecting the Dots programme has been funded by the European Union since 2012, with additional funding from the National Lottery Community Fund since 2017. The programme has supported hundreds of young people with disabilities gain training in fields as diverse as mechanics, tailoring, catering, hospitality, hairdressing, teaching and knitting. It has also contributed to changing attitudes in the community, by showcasing students’ work at employment fairs to convince local employers to give workers with disabilities the opportunity to find jobs.

Speaking about his past experience of disability discrimination and the impact of the programme, Atugonza said: “When I started school, I was the only younger boy with a disability. It was around 2001. All the boys were nicknaming me ‘Butcherman’, ‘limping’, ‘disabled’… So I grew up like this. But in life you need a challenge, you need to use it as a stepping stone. I had that feeling in my heart: If others can do it, why not me? Why not a person with a disability? Since the programme, my life has changed completely.”

He continued: “Through the employment project, I learned that I have that capability and leadership. People do value that – they now see me as a hardworking person, a trustworthy guy. When you believe in yourself, people give you respect.”

A graduate of Sightsavers’ innovative inclusive training programme Connecting the Dots is standing for election as a local council chairperson at sub-county level in Masindi district, Uganda.

Atugonza Milton Isaac, who studied computing through Sightsavers’ programme and went on to support  other young people with disabilities to gain training, is campaigning for the election. The primary round will take place in Masindi on 16 September.

Sightsavers’ campaign manager, Tessa Murphy, said: “It’s wonderful to see a graduate of Sightsavers’ training and employment programme go on to develop their career and be able to pursue their dreams. Over the past few years Atugonza has been a vocal supporter of our Equal World campaign for disability rights, and we wish him every success in the elections.”

The groundbreaking Connecting the Dots programme has been funded by the European Union since 2012, with additional funding from the National Lottery Community Fund since 2017. The programme has supported hundreds of young people with disabilities gain training in fields as diverse as mechanics, tailoring, catering, hospitality, hairdressing, teaching and knitting. It has also contributed to changing attitudes in the community, by showcasing students’ work at employment fairs to convince local employers to give workers with disabilities the opportunity to find jobs.

Speaking about his past experience of disability discrimination and the impact of the programme, Atugonza said: “When I started school, I was the only younger boy with a disability. It was around 2001. All the boys were nicknaming me ‘Butcherman’, ‘limping’, ‘disabled’… So I grew up like this. But in life you need a challenge, you need to use it as a stepping stone. I had that feeling in my heart: If others can do it, why not me? Why not a person with a disability? Since the programme, my life has changed completely.”

He continued: “Through the employment project, I learned that I have that capability and leadership. People do value that – they now see me as a hardworking person, a trustworthy guy. When you believe in yourself, people give you respect.”

Inclusive Futures, a consortium of 16 global partner organisations advocating for disability inclusion, launched its new website on 20 July.

The website is a hub of information for the global disability and development communities on learning and disability-inclusive programme best practice. It will showcase the work happening across seven countries to promote equal opportunities for people with disabilities in healthcare, education, employment and the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Visitors to the site will have the chance to discover the people driving the initiative globally, nationally and locally. There will be an area of the site dedicated to the experts in inclusion and the people with lived experience of disability making the projects happen.

The website also features audio reports from citizen reporters around the world, who will report on global disability issues at a local level. These reporters will cover issues affecting their daily lives as people with disabilities, as well as uncovering views and perceptions of disability in the places where they live. This reporting will help to capture the impact Inclusive Futures is having on the lives of some of the world’s most excluded people through this unparalleled global collaboration.

Check out a teaser trailer from our citizen reporter, Alan, here:

Inclusive Futures, a consortium of 16 global partner organisations advocating for disability inclusion, launched its new website on 20 July.

The website is a hub of information for the global disability and development communities on learning and disability-inclusive programme best practice. It will showcase the work happening across seven countries to promote equal opportunities for people with disabilities in healthcare, education, employment and the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Visitors to the site will have the chance to discover the people driving the initiative globally, nationally and locally. There will be an area of the site dedicated to the experts in inclusion and the people with lived experience of disability making the projects happen.

The website also features audio reports from citizen reporters around the world, who will report on global disability issues at a local level. These reporters will cover issues affecting their daily lives as people with disabilities, as well as uncovering views and perceptions of disability in the places where they live. This reporting will help to capture the impact Inclusive Futures is having on the lives of some of the world’s most excluded people through this unparalleled global collaboration.

Check out a teaser trailer from our citizen reporter, Alan, here:

Evidence and generating knowledge in real time are central to the Inclusive Futures approach. The website will be home to regular updates on what works, helping to push innovation, learning and radical new approaches to inclusive development policy and practices. The initiative builds on the commitments made at the first Global Disability Summit held in London in July 2018, and the website will highlight what has been achieved since then.

The Inclusive Futures initiative, funded by UK aid, was created to break down barriers for people with disabilities around the world. There are one billion people with disabilities globally and 80% of them live in low and middle income countries. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the discrimination and inequality they face on a daily basis, as many people with disabilities are struggling to access the care they need and information in accessible formats. Inclusive Futures is promoting equal access to quality education, health care and work without experiencing stigma and discrimination.

Find our Inclusive Futures audio channel on your regular podcast platform and subscribe to receive regular audio updates.

Explore the website here.

In July 2018 the UK government co-hosted the first-ever global disability summit with the Government of Kenya and the International Disability Alliance, a landmark moment in the progress of disability rights. We look back at what has been achieved in the two years since.

There are 800 million people with disabilities in low and middle income countries, and many of them are routinely denied basic human rights. This is why supporting people with disabilities has been a vital part of Sightsavers’ work since the organisation was founded in 1950. Covid-19 has further highlighted the barriers facing  people with disabilities who have been disproportionality impacted by the pandemic. They have faced  discrimination and stigmatisation and a lack of accessible information and health care.

In recent years the UK government, through the Department for International development (DFID), has become a global leader in disability inclusion, ensuring that people with disabilities aren’t left behind and are able to participate and engage in international development and humanitarian projects.

Juliet Milgate, Sightsavers’ director of policy and advocacy said: “The first disability summit made some amazing and potentially life-changing commitments. It has been truly inspirational to work with DFID and all those countries and agencies involved so far on making many of these come to fruition. We look forward to continuing our work with the government to ensure that the UK remains a leader in disability inclusive development, and to ensure that no one is left behind.”

In July 2018 the UK government co-hosted the first-ever global disability summit with the Government of Kenya and the International Disability Alliance, a landmark moment in the progress of disability rights. We look back at what has been achieved in the two years since.

There are 800 million people with disabilities in low and middle income countries, and many of them are routinely denied basic human rights. This is why supporting people with disabilities has been a vital part of Sightsavers’ work since the organisation was founded in 1950. Covid-19 has further highlighted the barriers facing  people with disabilities who have been disproportionality impacted by the pandemic. They have faced  discrimination and stigmatisation and a lack of accessible information and health care.

In recent years the UK government, through the Department for International development (DFID), has become a global leader in disability inclusion, ensuring that people with disabilities aren’t left behind and are able to participate and engage in international development and humanitarian projects.

Juliet Milgate, Sightsavers’ director of policy and advocacy said: “The first disability summit made some amazing and potentially life-changing commitments. It has been truly inspirational to work with DFID and all those countries and agencies involved so far on making many of these come to fruition. We look forward to continuing our work with the government to ensure that the UK remains a leader in disability inclusive development, and to ensure that no one is left behind.”

Timeline

• 24 July 2018: The UK government co-hosts the first Global Disability Summit with Kenya

At the DFID-organised summit over 170 commitments were made by governments, the private sector, UN agencies, and civil society organisations to prioritise disability in global development. Attendees had the opportunity to watch a Sightsavers video on our inclusive education work in Malawi.

• July 2018: Disability Inclusive Development (DID) programme launches

Now part of the Inclusive Futures initiative, DID is a consortium project led by Sightsavers and funded by DFID. Running for six years, it is designed to contribute to the long-term improved well-being and inclusion of all people with disabilities in six low and middle income countries.

• December 2018: DFID launches a new disability inclusive strategy

The plans, which Sightsavers had been calling for, set out how DFID would make its work and the programmes it funds more inclusive of people with disabilities in the world’s poorest countries.

• December 2018: Sightsavers work is praised in parliament  

Sightsavers’ work was praised by a number of members of the House of Lords during a debate following the launch of DFID’s disability strategy. Lord Shinkwin thanked Sightsavers for its role in supporting the Summit and Baroness Jenkin of Kennington cited Sightsavers’ research.

• March 2019: Sightsavers launches its Equal World campaign

Following five years of successful campaigning for the UK to prioritise disability in international development, Equal World was launched. This global campaign calls for the UN and its member states to ensure the rights of all people with disabilities are upheld.

• June 2019: United Nations launches new disability strategy

The UN’s first disability inclusion strategy launched in New York at the annual Conference of States Parties to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

• July 2019: UK aid funded Inclusion Works launches

The groundbreaking Inclusion Works programme, funded by UK aid and led in consortium by Sightsavers, pilots new ways to create job opportunities for more than 2,000 people with disabilities in Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda and Bangladesh. Inclusion Works has now been brought together with DID under the Inclusive Futures initiative.

• July 2019:  Inclusion Works and DID programmes are brought together under the Inclusive Futures initiative

Unprecedented in scope and scale, Inclusive Futures brings together experts from 16 global organisations. The initiative pools collective expertise and works with disabled people’s organisations to create innovative solutions to remove key barriers that prevent people with disabilities from accessing education, health care and work.

• September 2019: UK aid-funded ASCEND programme launches

ASCEND, managed by four of DFID’s established partners including Sightsavers, is our largest multiple neglected tropical disease programme to date. Funded by UK aid, it aims to deliver more than 400 million treatments in 13 countries to treat neglected tropical diseases and is designed in partnership with disabled people’s organisations.

• January 2020: Sightsavers receives Innovative Practice prize in Zero Project Awards

Sightsavers received an Innovative Practice Award from the Zero Project for an early childhood development and education project in Malawi. The Zero Project Awards recognise innovative practices and projects supporting people with disabilities around the world. A film capturing the work of the project can be seen here.

• January 2020: Inclusive Futures films shown at GLAD event

A Sightsavers film featuring first-hand account of job seekers in Kenya and Nigeria was shown at a conference hosted by the Global Action on Disability (GLAD) Network. Job seekers talk about their experiences of seeking employment as a person with a disability, and some of the barriers they’ve faced in establishing their careers.

• February 2020: Sightsavers awarded Disability Confident Leader status

Sightsavers received a Disability Confident Employer Level 3 accreditation, the highest level an organisation can achieve. The scheme, run by the UK government, aims to make workplaces more inclusive.

• June 2020: 150 journalists undergo UK aid-funded training on disability representation

As part of Inclusive Futures Sightsavers’ partner BBC Media Action trained journalists in Bangladesh to improve the ways people with disabilities are portrayed in the media.

• July 2020: Inclusive Futures website launches

Inclusive Futures launched an internet platform to showcase the achievements of the two programmes. It will be a space to share learning and knowledge with other organisations promoting the rights of people with disabilities.

• July 2020:  Sightsavers adapts its UK aid funded work to COVID-19 response

Two major UK aid-funded programmes, both led by Sightsavers, have been adapted to tackle the crisis caused by COVID-19. The Ascend West and Central Africa NTD programme is using pre-existing tech platforms to help support awareness of health care as well as spread messaging on prevention behaviours such as hand hygiene, physical distancing and wearing masks. To address the fact that people with disabilities are being disproportionately impacted by COVID-19, Sightsavers’ UK aid-funded programmes under the Inclusive Futures initiative are adapting to ensure a more inclusive response to the pandemic.

—

So much has already been achieved since the first global disability summit, but much more still needs to be done. The pandemic is a global crisis which needs a coordinated and inclusive global response.  Let’s turn promises into action as we build back better from COVID-19 and make sure to leave no one behind in the recovery.

Sightsavers’ Equal World campaign has handed in a 25,276-signature petition to the United Nations and its member states, calling for the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic to be inclusive of disability rights.

The hand-in was conducted via a letter sent to the UN Secretary-General’s office, with copies being sent to the permanent missions of UN member countries who have signed or ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. It was accompanied by a video featuring Sightsavers’ staff members from around the world, calling on the UN and member countries to take urgent action to uphold the rights of people with disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The petition, which launched in May, gathered signatures from around the world. It was created in response to the disproportionate impact the pandemic has had on people with disabilities worldwide.

In many countries, information about health advice and public restrictions has not been made available in accessible formats like braille or sign language, and many people with disabilities have faced challenges in accessing their required levels of personal care because of social distancing and lockdown measures. Others have been unable to access food supplies, health services and home-based education support, undermining their human rights.

Tessa Murphy, Sightsavers’ campaign manager, said: “Now more than ever, governments must ensure that they prioritise the protection of the rights of the people with disabilities within society who are most at risk of suffering devastating losses in the face of the pandemic. On behalf of the tens of thousands of people who have signed the petition, we urge the UN and all member states to urgently address this situation to ensure that the lives, health and wellbeing of people with disabilities are pivotal to their response and recovery efforts.”

More about the petition

Sightsavers’ Equal World campaign has handed in a 25,276-signature petition to the United Nations and its member states, calling for the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic to be inclusive of disability rights.

The hand-in was conducted via a letter sent to the UN Secretary-General’s office, with copies being sent to the permanent missions of UN member countries who have signed or ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. It was accompanied by a video featuring Sightsavers’ staff members from around the world, calling on the UN and member countries to take urgent action to uphold the rights of people with disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The petition, which launched in May, gathered signatures from around the world. It was created in response to the disproportionate impact the pandemic has had on people with disabilities worldwide.

In many countries, information about health advice and public restrictions has not been made available in accessible formats like braille or sign language, and many people with disabilities have faced challenges in accessing their required levels of personal care because of social distancing and lockdown measures. Others have been unable to access food supplies, health services and home-based education support, undermining their human rights.

Tessa Murphy, Sightsavers’ campaign manager, said: “Now more than ever, governments must ensure that they prioritise the protection of the rights of the people with disabilities within society who are most at risk of suffering devastating losses in the face of the pandemic. On behalf of the tens of thousands of people who have signed the petition, we urge the UN and all member states to urgently address this situation to ensure that the lives, health and wellbeing of people with disabilities are pivotal to their response and recovery efforts.”

More about the petition

Sightsavers’ Equal World campaign has handed in a 25,276-signature petition to the United Nations and its member states, calling for the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic to be inclusive of disability rights.

The hand-in was conducted via a letter sent to the UN Secretary-General’s office, with copies being sent to the permanent missions of UN member countries who have signed or ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. It was accompanied by a video featuring Sightsavers’ staff members from around the world, calling on the UN and member countries to take urgent action to uphold the rights of people with disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The petition, which launched in May, gathered signatures from around the world. It was created in response to the disproportionate impact the pandemic has had on people with disabilities worldwide.

In many countries, information about health advice and public restrictions has not been made available in accessible formats like braille or sign language, and many people with disabilities have faced challenges in accessing their required levels of personal care because of social distancing and lockdown measures. Others have been unable to access food supplies, health services and home-based education support, undermining their human rights.

Tessa Murphy, Sightsavers’ campaign manager, said: “Now more than ever, governments must ensure that they prioritise the protection of the rights of the people with disabilities within society who are most at risk of suffering devastating losses in the face of the pandemic. On behalf of the tens of thousands of people who have signed the petition, we urge the UN and all member states to urgently address this situation to ensure that the lives, health and wellbeing of people with disabilities are pivotal to their response and recovery efforts.”

More about the petition

Sightsavers’ Equal World campaign has handed in a 25,276-signature petition to the United Nations and its member states, calling for the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic to be inclusive of disability rights.

The hand-in was conducted via a letter sent to the UN Secretary-General’s office, with copies being sent to the permanent missions of UN member countries who have signed or ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. It was accompanied by a video featuring Sightsavers’ staff members from around the world, calling on the UN and member countries to take urgent action to uphold the rights of people with disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The petition, which launched in May, gathered signatures from around the world. It was created in response to the disproportionate impact the pandemic has had on people with disabilities worldwide.

In many countries, information about health advice and public restrictions has not been made available in accessible formats like braille or sign language, and many people with disabilities have faced challenges in accessing their required levels of personal care because of social distancing and lockdown measures. Others have been unable to access food supplies, health services and home-based education support, undermining their human rights.

Tessa Murphy, Sightsavers’ campaign manager, said: “Now more than ever, governments must ensure that they prioritise the protection of the rights of the people with disabilities within society who are most at risk of suffering devastating losses in the face of the pandemic. On behalf of the tens of thousands of people who have signed the petition, we urge the UN and all member states to urgently address this situation to ensure that the lives, health and wellbeing of people with disabilities are pivotal to their response and recovery efforts.”

More about the petition

More than 4,000 people have signed Sightsavers’ Equal World petition calling on the Irish government to use its influence as a member state of the United Nations to ensure disability rights are upheld during the COVID-19 pandemic.  

These 4,000 signatures targeting Ireland’s leaders were also part of a wider call to the UN and its member countries to address the issue of disability rights being undermined during the health crisis, which gathered a total of 25,276 signatures.  

The petition hand-in was conducted via a letter sent to the UN Secretary-General’s office and the Irish government, with copies being sent to the permanent missions of UN member countries who have signed or ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. It was accompanied by a video featuring Sightsavers’ staff from around the world, including Sightsavers Ireland’s interim CEO Ciara Smullen, calling on the UN and member countries to take urgent action to uphold the rights of people with disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic.  

The petition, which launched in May, gathered signatures from around the world. It was created in response to the disproportionate impact the pandemic has had on people with disabilities worldwide.  

In many countries, information about health advice and public restrictions has not been made available in accessible formats like braille or sign language, and many people with disabilities have faced challenges in accessing their required levels of personal care because of social distancing and lockdown measures. Others have been unable to access food supplies, health services and home-based education support, undermining their human rights.  

Alison Bough, Sightsavers’ public engagement and communications manager, said: “It has been inspiring to see thousands of Irish campaign supporters signing our call for the new government to use its influence on the world stage to uphold disability rights during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as calling on the UN and other member countries to ensure the global response to the pandemic is inclusive of people with disabilities and does not leave them behind. We’re proud to have handed the petition to Ireland’s representatives at the UN, alongside the global petition being handed to the UN Secretary-General’s office.” 

More about the campaign

More than 4,000 people have signed Sightsavers’ Equal World petition calling on the Irish government to use its influence as a member state of the United Nations to ensure disability rights are upheld during the COVID-19 pandemic.  

These 4,000 signatures targeting Ireland’s leaders were also part of a wider call to the UN and its member countries to address the issue of disability rights being undermined during the health crisis, which gathered a total of 25,276 signatures.  

The petition hand-in was conducted via a letter sent to the UN Secretary-General’s office and the Irish government, with copies being sent to the permanent missions of UN member countries who have signed or ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. It was accompanied by a video featuring Sightsavers’ staff from around the world, including Sightsavers Ireland’s interim CEO Ciara Smullen, calling on the UN and member countries to take urgent action to uphold the rights of people with disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic.  

The petition, which launched in May, gathered signatures from around the world. It was created in response to the disproportionate impact the pandemic has had on people with disabilities worldwide.  

In many countries, information about health advice and public restrictions has not been made available in accessible formats like braille or sign language, and many people with disabilities have faced challenges in accessing their required levels of personal care because of social distancing and lockdown measures. Others have been unable to access food supplies, health services and home-based education support, undermining their human rights.  

Alison Bough, Sightsavers’ public engagement and communications manager, said: “It has been inspiring to see thousands of Irish campaign supporters signing our call for the new government to use its influence on the world stage to uphold disability rights during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as calling on the UN and other member countries to ensure the global response to the pandemic is inclusive of people with disabilities and does not leave them behind. We’re proud to have handed the petition to Ireland’s representatives at the UN, alongside the global petition being handed to the UN Secretary-General’s office.” 

More about the campaign