ITDG - South Asia - Let us rebuild - but not make disability an inability: "International and local aid continues to pour in, and many organisations, volunteers continue to offer their services. The priorities have shifted beyond relief to reconstruction and rehabilitation. The Ministry of Social Services and the Task Force (TAFFREN), appointed by the government have requested suggestions and support for the rebuilding plans.
The rebuilding plans are likely to focus on general areas that need attention such as housing, transport and other major infrastructure development, as well as economic rehabilitation etc. At this juncture, it is extremely important that these general plans are also made specific by taking into account the needs of the diverse localities and groups affected. In order to do so it is imperative that there is accurate specific information available on the affected people.
However, so far there are no accurate reports available on the number of disabled people affected by the disaster and number of people acquired disability conditions. Insensitive reconstruction and rehabilitation plans, can lead to further marginalization of people with disabilities. Therefore, it is vital that we use these rebuilding efforts to rectify some of our mistakes in the past. This is the ideal opportunity to address access and mobility issues of persons with disabilities. One step towards this is having in place reconstruction plans sensitive to the needs of people with disabilities.
The "Development with Disabled Network" has initiated a series of advocacy programs in order to ensure that the voices of the people with disabilities are critically considered by the relevant government and civil society organizations involved in the planning and implementation of post-tsunami rebuilding process. As a first step, a media conference was organised to create awareness on the importance of focusing on the issues and needs of persons with disabilities in tsunami affected areas, in the light of reconstruction and rehabilitation. This was held on 16th February 2005 at the Galle Face Hotel, Palm Lodge Hall.
Inclusion of persons with disabilities into tsunami reconstruction process
There are still community groups vastly unseen in the relief efforts and unaccounted for in the rebuilding and reconstruction process – including persons with disabilities, as this booklet by the Development with Disabled Network explains.
download Inclusion of persons with disabilities into tsunami reconstruction process (PDF, 147k)
Diriya 2004 international conference and exhibition
Is disability the real problem – or poverty? Special Appeal
In many poor communities it is those with disabilities who are the poorest members. One of ITDG's innovative pilot projects in Sri Lanka is helping community members with disabilities overcome their isolation and play an active part in finding answers to their poverty."
The rebuilding plans are likely to focus on general areas that need attention such as housing, transport and other major infrastructure development, as well as economic rehabilitation etc. At this juncture, it is extremely important that these general plans are also made specific by taking into account the needs of the diverse localities and groups affected. In order to do so it is imperative that there is accurate specific information available on the affected people.
However, so far there are no accurate reports available on the number of disabled people affected by the disaster and number of people acquired disability conditions. Insensitive reconstruction and rehabilitation plans, can lead to further marginalization of people with disabilities. Therefore, it is vital that we use these rebuilding efforts to rectify some of our mistakes in the past. This is the ideal opportunity to address access and mobility issues of persons with disabilities. One step towards this is having in place reconstruction plans sensitive to the needs of people with disabilities.
The "Development with Disabled Network" has initiated a series of advocacy programs in order to ensure that the voices of the people with disabilities are critically considered by the relevant government and civil society organizations involved in the planning and implementation of post-tsunami rebuilding process. As a first step, a media conference was organised to create awareness on the importance of focusing on the issues and needs of persons with disabilities in tsunami affected areas, in the light of reconstruction and rehabilitation. This was held on 16th February 2005 at the Galle Face Hotel, Palm Lodge Hall.
Inclusion of persons with disabilities into tsunami reconstruction process
There are still community groups vastly unseen in the relief efforts and unaccounted for in the rebuilding and reconstruction process – including persons with disabilities, as this booklet by the Development with Disabled Network explains.
download Inclusion of persons with disabilities into tsunami reconstruction process (PDF, 147k)
Diriya 2004 international conference and exhibition
Is disability the real problem – or poverty? Special Appeal
In many poor communities it is those with disabilities who are the poorest members. One of ITDG's innovative pilot projects in Sri Lanka is helping community members with disabilities overcome their isolation and play an active part in finding answers to their poverty."
