EFFECTIVE PARICIPATION IN INCLUSION!

Bringing persons with and without disability together is not enough to say you are practicing inclusion. But we must make a conscious effort to provide their specific needs to ensure they actively and effectively participate. This is the song I have decided to sing at every given opportunity, in churches, at community meetings, in schools, during meetings with other humanitarian organization hoping to change people’s perspectives on inclusion etc. Sometimes I would proud voluntarily sign language interpretation in order to create awareness that it’s a mode of communication and should always be provided.

Nowadays, every organization paint a picture of being inclusive in all their activities. It is very common for them to invite persons with disabilities, especially those with visible disabilities so that they can take front positions when photographs are being taken. Most of the time they do not consider whether those special specific needs that will enable these persons with impairments participate effectively in order to show case their organisations practice inclusion. For example, I was attending a meeting with other humanitarian organization and this lady who had been invited came with a wheel chair. The venue for the meeting was upstairs which she could not access. She was almost in tears wandering what to do. Three men had to lift her up in her wheel chair to the venue and back down stairs after the meeting. She felt horrible and so did I especially seeing how her dignity was being reduced by the same people who have been preaching inclusion. I spoke out about inclusion and how the lady had been treated during the meeting and by the end it all present agreed on a capacity building workshop on disability inclusion for Humanitarian organisation.

The worst-case scenario is with persons with hearing impairment. Most of the time they are completely left out in events as most people claim they did not budget for a sign language interpreter. This is horrible situation especially coming from the north west region which is affected by the crisis it is so difficult for deaf persons to access humanitarian assistance. For example, they stand for long hours at food distribution points without anyone to communicate instructions to them. At the end of the day, they go home feeling worse than they came and most of the time empty handed.

There is one important way out. We have to be intentional in including persons with disabilities at our event. This must start by considering their specific needs at the planning stage of our activities. Getting persons with different types of impairment involved at this stage because they can best guide and direct you on their specific needs to enable them participate fully and effectively.

Inclusion will mean carrying out event in accessible buildings for persons with mobility impairment. Ensuring there are ramps or elevators for wheel chair users and persons with crutches. Ensuring the environment is disability friendly by removing any obstacles that with result to falls. Ensuring doors are wide enough for them to go through. Positioning wheel chair users at events in a way that they will not be moving them from time to time to create access passage for others.

Inclusion will mean involving a sign language interpreter at events to ensure the communication needs of person with hearing impairment are catered for. Typical example is on World pulse where sign language interpreters are present at all events. World Pulse is a role model. In so doing deaf present at the event will follow up with the activity, be able to ask and answer questions. I suggest It will also be ideal to prepare all workshop presentations and give them before hand as they cannot be able to focus on the sign language interpreter and take down notes of presentations at the same time, and get all information that is being passed. In that way they are not only present at the event but actively and effectively participation.

Inclusion will also mean persons with visual impairment will easily access  buildings through the use of ramps and not stairs and elevators. That they would have personal assistance where need be who have been properly trained on mobility so they can move with them safely, without any falls. Also, that these persons are provided with a slate and stylus, braille papers during events for note taking, and all workshop materials provided in brailed format.

As we strive towards an environment which is totally inclusive with no one being left behind, I recommend the following;

That parents and care givers of persons with disabilities should create an enabling environment at home for their children with disabilities to make a conscious effort to include them in all activities at home. For example, my first son lives with a disability but actively participates in all activities at home.

That Organization, Institutions and all stakeholders should intentionally equip and build their capacity on disability inclusion to ensure persons with disability fully access services and participate in events.

Government should direct more funding to community base organization for more trainings on disability inclusion at the community level. They should also be funded to be able to provide persons with disabilities with the right assistive devices specific to their disability.

Persons with disability have a great role to play in the advocacy for effective participation/ they should take the lead to actually approach institutions and establishments and discuss with them how they can be effectively included, taking into consideration what is available and applicable in their context.

It is my conviction that if these recommendations are put in practice person with and without disabilities can effectively participate at events and our dream of inclusion will actualize.