Persons with disabilities can easily become excluded from their communities. They generally find it harder to get employment, attend school, or take part in day-to-day community activities. Lack of income, education and access to appropriate healthcare make people with disabilities vulnerable to abuse, poverty and even early death. These risks can be reduced if governments and society adopt socially inclusive policies and practices.
In the area of rehabilitation and inclusive education for persons with disabilities we aim to use comprehensive and sustainable intervention systems to address the rights and needs of persons with disabilities and ensure that they can use their potential, skills and abilities to participate fully in society.
Social inclusion
Social inclusion for people with a visual, hearing, physical or other handicap means working to help them gain equal rights in society. It also means helping society understand their needs and respect those rights. Social inclusion includes providing training and opportunities for people with disabilities, and making sure that education does not discriminate against or exclude children with disabilities.
Social inclusion lies at the heart of our work.
- Rehabilitation: we are working with local partners in developing countries to provide people with disabilities with the skills they need to live independent lives. This includes daily living skills.
- Inclusive education: we believe that no child with a disability should be at home when they could be at school. Inclusive education means enabling mainstream schools to cater fully for such children, and training teachers to cater properly for their special needs.
- Inclusion in the labour market: The majority of persons with disabilities will be able to earn an income for themselves and their families, with some extra support if needed. We provide vocational training and help people to start their own businesses or income-generating activities.
- Inclusion in society: we make communities aware of the rights of people with disabilities to participate in society and in community activities.