Transformative Solutions for Inclusive Development

“The cornerstone of this cooperation must be the active participation of persons with disabilities in their full diversity, and their full inclusion in all decision-making processes.”- António Guterres- United Nations Secretary-General. We live in a world which is characterized by exclusion and discrimination. This double threat to humanity is felt moreso for those who live with a disability. Sadly, even in our own families those members who are deemed different are whispered about and are made to feel lesser than. The economic reality for many families coupled with the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic has contributed immensely to a culture of disability exclusion. The United Nations (UN) states that disability inclusion is an essential condition to upholding human rights, sustainable development, and peace and security. It is also central to the promise of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development to leave no one behind. The commitment to realizing the rights of persons with disabilities is not only a matter of justice; it is an investment in a common future. The complex and interconnected crises facing humanity today, including the shocks resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine and other countries, a tipping point in climate change, all pose humanitarian challenges of an unprecedented nature, as well as threats to the global economy. The statistics speak volume; of the one billion persons with disabilities, 80% live in developing countries. Additionally, one in every five women is likely to experience disability in her life, while one in every ten children is a child with a disability. Each year the international community observed The International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) on 3 December. The theme for this year is “Transformative solutions for inclusive development: the role of innovation in fueling an accessible and equitable world.” The day is about promoting the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities at every level of society and development, and to raise awareness of the situation of persons with disabilities in all aspects of political, social, economic, and cultural life. The World Health Organization (WHO) joins this endeavour to reinforce the importance of securing the rights of people with disabilities, so they can participate fully, equally and effectively in society with others, and face no barriers in all aspects of their lives. The United Nations Disability Inclusion Strategy provides the foundation for sustainable and transformative progress on disability inclusion through all pillars of the work of the United Nations. Through the Strategy, the United Nations system reaffirms that the full and complete realization of the human rights of all persons with disabilities is an inalienable, integral and indivisible part of all human rights and fundamental freedoms. The day is about promoting the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities at every level of society and development, and to raise awareness of the situation of persons with disabilities in all aspects of political, social, economic, and cultural life. Jamaica A UNICEF situational analysis on persons with disabilities in Jamaica reported that persons with disabilities (PWDs) are disproportionately represented among the poorest, unemployed, low waged, and those with low health status and lower levels of educational achievement. The same holds true for persons with disabilities (PWDs) in Jamaica as issues of stigma, discrimination, marginalization and social exclusion continue to force the population to live in the margins of society. The Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, through its Special Education Unit, and the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, through its Social Security Division and the Jamaica Council for Persons with Disabilities (JCPD) were the only Ministries with programmes that were designed specifically to address the needs of PWDs. Similarly, these Ministries are the only two noted to have policies that are specific to PWDs, namely the Special Education Policy and the National Policy for Persons with Disabilities. The Member of Parliament for East Central St. Catherine, Mr. Alando Terrelonge, who is also the State Minister in the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, noted that there are some 500,000 Jamaicans living with disabilities. In 2022 Jamaica passed The Disabilities Act. The Act will promote and protect as well as enhance the full and equal enjoyment of persons with disabilities (PWDs), in terms of privileges and benefits that they can attain, on an equal basis, with other persons in the society. Closing the Gender Digital Gap Access is a key element to achieve digital inclusion. Too often, persons with disabilities are not included in the digital expansion of telecom service providers and this is problematic. Data from the UN says it all regarding the digital gender gap as approximately 260 million fewer women have access to the Internet than men. There are three components of the digital gender divide. These are access and use of digital technologies; development of the skills required to use digital technologies and to participate in their design and production and finally, the advancement of women to visible leadership and decision making roles in the digital industry. Governments must redouble their efforts to close the digital gender gap in order to ensure inclusive and sustainable development. The need to revisit our building codes is paramount to ensure ramps and the space necessary to accommodate wheelchairs and assisted walkers are in place. Much more work is needed in the pursuit of an inclusionary world. On this International Day of Persons with Disabilities let us take a page from the WHO and commit to do all in our powers to make this world one which is free from discrimination and stigma. Governments need to invest more in building educational institutions which will cater to students with special needs. It is unacceptable that so many of our parents continue to suffer regarding finding a suitable school equipped to address the special needs of their children. More work is clearly needed to impact this underserved segment of the population especially as it relates to equipping them with the tools of empowerment. The WHO joins the global effort to reinforce the importance of securing the rights of people with disabilities, so they can participate fully, equally and effectively in society with others, and face no barriers in all aspects of their lives. Let us work assiduously to build and nurture a global community of inclusion. In the words of Dr. Natalia Kanem- United Nations Population Fund- Executive Director, we need to create an environment in which every person can flourish free from barriers to accessibility or any other obstacle to realizing their right to a dignified life. Wayne Campbell is an educator and social commentator with an interest in development policies as they affect culture and or gender issues. waykam@yahoo.com @WayneCamo © #AssistedTechnologyTransformsLives #InternationalDayOfPersonsWithDisabilities