Inclusion: theory and practice : Children, Disability and Development - Achievement and Challenge. Contents

Children, Disability and Development: Achievement and Challenge

A Save the Children Fund global seminar to learn from experience and maximise impact - Extract from Conference Report - April 13th - 22nd 1994

Session 8 - The Role of Disabled People and DPOs

Facilitator: Moses Masemene

Aim of session:
1. To share SCF's experience of partnership with disabled people and DPOs
2. To learn the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches and methods of collaboration

Summary:
Moses, a member of Lesotho parliament who is visually impaired, talked of the evolution of society's attitudes towards disabled people, through the 'charity' model towards a rights perspective. A discussion followed in which disabled people and parents participated exclusively. Moses posed specific questions to certain participants; some of the issues arising included:

• a DPO is a medium, not an end in itself;
• DPOs promote the rights of disabled women and children with difficulty. Many DPOs are not currently responding to women and children's issues, or promoting their empowerment;
• DPOs can often be in conflict with parents. This seems to be changing, as there is a move away from the idea that 'parents are the enemy of disabled people' towards collaboration;
• CBR should promote empowerment, and DPOs should therefore have strong links with CBR and vice versa.

Inclusion: theory and practice : Children, Disability and Development - Achievement and Challenge. Contents

19/11/1997