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Momodou
Denmark
11715 Posts |
 Posted - 27 Aug 2007 : 18:51:26
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Disability Does not Mean Inability
OFFICIALS' OF THE SECRETARIAT OF THE AFRICAN DECADE OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITY VISIT THE GAMBIA
Continental United for Disabled People is making all efforts to mainstream disability in national policies and programmes. Foroyaa's reporter caught up with a delegate who shed light on the mission in a follow up interview.
Foroyaa: Can you introduce yourself to our readership?
Mr. Faal: My name is Mohamed Faal. I am the Programme Manager in the Secretariat of African Decade of Persons with Disability for West, North and Central Africa.
Foroyaa: Where is your Regional Office located?
Mr. Faal: Our office is located in Dakar, Senegal.
Foroyaa: When did you arrive in The Gambia?
Mr. Faal: We arrived since the 28 July 2007, and I will be leaving sooner than my colleague, Aida Sarr, who is the Assistant Program Assistant. She will leave on the 4 August 2007.
Foroyaa: What is your mission to The Gambia?
Mr. Faal: Our mission is to meet The Gambia Government Authorities, disabled peoples' organisations, NGO Community and various stakeholders in the field of disability, so as to inform them about African Decade Programmes and activities, as this programmes are on- going and should be implemented in The Gambia too. As you may already know The Gambia is part of the African Union (AU) and this programme is designed by AU members.
Foroyaa: Since you arrived in The Gambia, which departments, authorities or NGO's have you met?
Mr. Faal: We have had a meetings with the SOS for Health and Social Welfare, Mr. Tamsir Mbowe and Director of Social Welfare, Madam Fanta Ceesay, VSO (Voluntary Service Overseas) VSO/DPO Steering Committee, where most of the Disable Organisation leaders meet.
Foroyaa: What will be your first priority, inorder words, which areas are you focusing on in your partnership for the implementation of the African Decade for persons with disability?
Mr. Faal: First and foremost, we are doing work with your existing VSO/DPO Steering Committee and we will expand it to include some of the key sectors. In some African countries there are no such structures in place, but here we are lucky to find this committee in place. Therefore, we believe we need to have a multi polar approach if we are going to have sustainability. Secondly, we will build the capacity of your steering committee; we will also conduct a training for journalists, training of trainees and the formation of managed committee. The African Decade Secretariat will cover the cost and the training will be conducted before the end of the year. There will be a management committee meeting in Dakar where representatives from the Management Committee of The Gambia will attend.
Foroyaa: What does this African Decade of Persons with Disability mean?
Mr. Faal: In July 2001, in Lome, Togo, the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), Assembly of heads of States and Governments in its 36th Session, declared the African Decade of persons with Disability for the period 1999 to 2009. Inorder to facilitate the implementation of the African Decade of Persons with Disability, a continental plan of action was adopted by the African Union (AU) Assembly of Heads of States and Governments at its 38th Session held in Durban (South Africa) in July 2002.
Object 11 of the Decade Continental Plan of Action, urged all member states to set coordinating, monitoring and evaluating mechanisms of the activities to be implemented. The creation of the national coordinating bodies had been recommended, to facilitate the establishment of the National Steering Committee in the African Countries or to strengthen the existing ones.
Foroyaa: Why did the AU come up with this?
Mr. Faal: This is a programme of the African Union (AU). African Disabled are under developed, marginalized and discriminated, their needs and aspirations are not mentioned mostly in governments and Civil Society, therefore the AU sees the need to mainstream and include disability issues in all member countries. The overall aims of the Decade are stipulated in plans of action by the Pan African Conference on the African Decade of Persons with Disability.
Foroyaa: What types of structures are in place to foster the smooth implementation of this golden idea?
Mr. Faal: In 2003 the African Regional Consultation Conference agreed to establish a secretariat to facilitate the implementation process of the Decade, Mr. Faal further opined that the secretariat was launched in Cape Town, in South Africa, in 2004 whose main mission is to empower governments, DSCS, DPOS and developmental organisations, to work in partnership to include disability issues and persons with disabilities into government programmes and policies in all sectors of societies in Africa.
This will be done through capacity building, advocacy, lobbying, coordination, monitoring and reporting.
Foroyaa: For one to work in the field of disability is a daunting challenge, how will we make sure these noble objectives are achieved?
Mr. Faal: Really working in the field of disability is not an easy task, considering the concepts and believes of the people with regard to disability but I believe that when we are committed we will be able to make head way which will be a creation of a viable society for all.
Foroyaa: What is your word of advice to disabled people's organisations and the Government?
Mr. Faal: DPOS should be more democratic, be accountable to their members and have regular Annual General Meetings and accept changes of leadership. For the Government, I am appealing for their support in the implementation process of the programmes and activities of African Decade, as the programme was designed by them the members states of the AU. All the development partners like UN system in The Gambia, NGOs and Private Sectors should support and encourage the empowerment process and contribute effectively and efficiently, morally and financially.
Foroyaa: Thank you for spearing your valuable time and sharing your knowledge for this interview.
Mr. Faal: It's a pleasure.
Source: Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
Issue No. 98/2007, 22 - 23 August 2007
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 15 Sep 2007 : 21:10:49
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I work with disabled children in UK. Many of them are autistic which is not a visable disability. This is particulary difficult for parents when they take their child out in public (say supermarket).
They will tantrum like a toddler over all sorts of different things: if the supermarket is too hot/too cold, too noisy/too quiet, if they arent allowed their favourite obsession/ if they have to WAIT for anything at all. QUEUEING is very difficult for autistic pupils.
I would love to get involved in Gambia with progressing the work on disability.That is what the VSO position was about, but I have had to put that on oneside for the moment.
It needs alot of education. Children shouldnt be hidden away. Itis nothing to do with God or the devil it is genetics. The more educated people are the more understanding there will be.
On a practical basis, people in wheelchairs need GOOD wheelchairs, light ones. They need access to buildings so they can be as independent as possible. They also need suitable work to be provided. |
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Sister Omega
United Kingdom
2085 Posts |
Posted - 15 Sep 2007 : 21:50:45
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I totally agree endorse the slogan disability doesn't mean inability. These words were demonstrated to me by my paternal grandparents who were both physically disabled and having experience disability myself and working with special needs children myself. As will as lobbying and advocacy on disabled rights, I think its about time that Disabled people are recognized for the gifts they pose which make us all better people from listens we can learn from them and about ourselves.
Gambia has made a lot a strides in this area when I first visited the country 15 years ago I would see disabled people dragging themselves along the road without wheelchairs this picture has changed in recent years with more people having access to wheelchairs.
It's important that disabled people are included in society and are taught skills to assist them to become more independent where it is possible. There is of course a need for further development within Disabled services infrastructure potentially can produce more employment within the public/ and or social care sector.
I wish Mr Faal all the best in his endeavours.
Peace
Sister Omega |
Peace
Sister Omega |
Edited by - Sister Omega on 15 Sep 2007 21:51:56 |
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 15 Sep 2007 : 22:14:36
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In practice in Gambia alot of disabled people are hidden away and it is going to take a big education package for the whole country to change attitudes.
I am a firm believer in individual rights and of course that includes the rights of any disabled person. What ever they want to do or achieve they should be supported and encouraged by the able bodied community. |
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Sister Omega
United Kingdom
2085 Posts |
Posted - 15 Sep 2007 : 23:54:46
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In my experience I've meant quite a few people with disabled children in Gambia and adults but didn't come up against that taboo. Where I was staying Koto the maid daughter was deaf and attend a special needs school and my neighbour daughter had Cybelepalse. I met a young man who when he was a baby crawled into fire of his mothers cooking pot. I've seen children with deformities of their digits at the border of Ferafenni who had lost their fingers put weren't oustracied by the people who they were with. I have a friend who works with mentally ill people in Gambia, and my finance's father was blind and was a well respected member of Bansang.
I don't think that disability is such a taboo as you're making out it is to be Bev not in my experience. A good friend of mine who passed away has a son who has Downs Sydrome and he's married with a wife and children. I have yet to see the picture you're trying to paint?
Peace
Sister Omega
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Peace
Sister Omega |
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 16 Sep 2007 : 09:31:32
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Most disabled children in Gambia dont have the luxury of attending school, let alone a special needs school.
Hopefully this will change in the coming years. |
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Momodou
Denmark
11715 Posts |
Posted - 16 Sep 2007 : 15:45:46
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quote:
Originally posted by gambiabev
In practice in Gambia alot of disabled people are hidden away and it is going to take a big education package for the whole country to change attitudes.
Bev, Where have you seen disabled people being hidden away? Your asertion is untrue and I have observerd that you are fund of making sweeping statements about The Gambia in situations which you have very little idea about. Thats not funny. |
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
Posted - 16 Sep 2007 : 20:33:05
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I would like to declare here that we as Gambians welcome any freinds of the Gambia in our strive for good community relations and development.
The fake, double standards, negativity, false accusations and any attempt to deter our PROGRESS will not be CONDONE! The flip flopping and FALSE SCENARIOS ain't any help darling!
Someone needs a lemon juice here to chill out  |
Edited by - kobo on 16 Sep 2007 20:57:44 |
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Momodou
Denmark
11715 Posts |
Posted - 28 Sep 2007 : 18:37:52
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Disability Does not Mean Inability
CHALLENGING DISCRIMINATION
Culled from "A Handbook on Mainstreaming Disability" Published by VSO
We have found that the most effective way to challenge discrimination is for disabled people to demonstrate that they can participate in society. Telling people that discrimination is wrong cannot match the impact of seeing disabled people working, bringing up children or performing similarly respected roles within their community.
VSO volunteers who have impairments can also play this role in some situations, although it is important not to focus this responsibility on disabled volunteers, who are recruited for their professional skills and expertise, not because of their impairment. In addition, non disabled people may not take the ability of a disabled person from a rich country to participate as a sign that disabled people from their own community can do same.
Non-disabled people's biggest contribution is to support and empower the disabled to play this self-advocacy role. This can be as simply providing mobility assistance or other enabling supports, or even pencil and paper, as in one case study from Papua New Guinea. VSO volunteers and programme staff also have a role to play in building the capacity of DPOs to express their priorities.
We can all be role models of more equitable relationships between disabled and non-disabled people. The simplest way to do this is just to interact with disabled people in public, especially in wider social events, for example encourage non-disabled and disabled children to play together or inviting a local disabled adult to accompany us to a social gathering. For example, one of VSO Indonesia's partner organizations working with children with autism regularly takes the children out shopping. Staff encouraging the children to ask for what they want, and have conversations with the children in public. This has led local shopkeepers recognizing and interacting directly with the children, rather than their caregiver.
It can be difficult to challenge discrimination, especially when it is seen as having roots in local or national culture. People who were brought up within that culture, including national staff, may find it hard to raise these sensitive issues, or may see attempt to address them as an attack on their culture. Expatriates, including VSO volunteers, are rightly cautious of imposing inappropriate values or undermining the culture of their host country.
However, culture is not uniform or static. Every culture is made up different streams, and these streams are constantly interacting with each other, changing and being changed. The cultural values attached to disability and impairment are not always negative for example. The traditional values stories often attribute particular wisdom to blind people. Societies that have recently experienced wars of liberation tend to link disabled people with veterans, who are often admired and supported with states benefits, although this may largely benefit men with visible impairments such as missing limbs.
Disabled people are part of their country's culture too, and their perspective is as important as anyone else's. We have mentioned that it is more effective to demonstrate disabled people's participation than to tell people to change their attitudes. This is why it is so important for disabled people to be actively involved in every stage of disability mainstreaming. Many disabled people are already working for change themselves, and VSO has a legitimate role to support them.
While attitudes are clearly important, it is generally more effective to focus on changing behaviour. Neither VSO nor anyone else is in a position to police people's thoughts. However, if we come across discriminatory or disrespectful behavior, or hear people using derogatory language, it is possible to ask them why they are behaving like that.
It will not help to alienate colleagues and partners. It is important to find ways of approaching these issues that are appropriate to the context, based on relationship of trust with people around us. We also need to consider our own attitudes and values - these are shaped by culture and experience like everyone else's, and it is essential to recognize where we are coming from as well as where we are trying to go.
INTERACTING WITH DISABLED PEOPLE
Many non-disabled people are ill at ease when interacting with disabled people. They may be nervous about accidentally causing offence, or simply embarrassed because they have not spent much time with disabled people.
There are some simple rules that can help those who are uncertain about how to behave. The main principle is to treat everyone with courtesy and respect, including disabled people. Treat each person as an individual, with her own way of interacting.
Other general guidelines include:
- Speak direct to the person, in the same way as you would to anyone else, not her interpreter or assistant.
- Speak normally and clearly. Don't rust your words, shout or mumble. If you are talking to a person with limited hearing, check that she can understand you.
- Get on the same eye level, and look the person in the eye (assuming this is actually appropriate). This is the best way of making sure that your attention is on her and what she is saying.
- Don't treat a disabled adult like a child. Talk to her like an adult. A person's impairment may prompt your concern - but don't restrict her freedom.
- Offer assistance, but don't help someone without asking first. If you are helping someone, always do what she asked you, not what you think is best.
- Try not to stare if something about the person seems unusual to you - while many disabled people are used to being looked at, staring will make anybody self-conscious and uncomfortable.
- Avoid language which you know is rude or derogatory. When talking about people, refer to them by their name rather than their impairment.
- Be polite. Treat the person the same way as you would treat anyone else.
VSO GHANA: PRSP CONSULTATION
The World Bank invited the Ghana federation of the disabled (a VSO partner) to a civic society videoconference in April 2005 with Jim Wolfensohn, the president of the World Bank. GFD invited VSO to participate as well, along with other organisations working in disability. Civil society groups in Senegal, Peru, Japan and Belgium also participated.
Before the videoconference, MacDuff Phiri, VSO Ghana's disability programme Manager, arranged a meeting of all the invited organisations to agree on a common position. This preparation was vital in presenting a coherent message. While the other country groups discussed a wide range of development issues, the Ghana team focused on including disability in development planning.
Source: Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
Issue No. 114/2007, 28 - 30 September, 2007 |
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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