World Disability Day: Considering Disability in Development

A guest blog by Rehema Namarome, Community Solutions Leader from Uganda

Although nobody expects to become disabled, it can happen any day, without warning. Disability affects nearly everybody at some point in their lives. The prevalence of disability in the world grew from 10% of the population in the 1970s to 15% in 2011. The current world population of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) is estimated at over one billion people, with higher prevalence rates in less developed countries (World Report on Disability, 2011). However, PWDs have remained invisible in most development programs, even though addressing disability issues from a development perspective can provide many social and economic benefits. Disability is thus a cross-cutting issue in all community development programs and should be given special consideration if we are to succeed in our work.

I have experienced impediments in accessing public and private services in Uganda due to barriers in bridging the communication gap between the hearing and the deaf. From the time I became deaf until I completed my first degree (8 years), I had no sign language interpretation services at school. On many occasions, I was sent out of the classroom by the teachers because I was not taking notes that were being dictated. I currently have to pay for sign language interpretation if I am to access some services or information. Even the television news (national television) has no provision for sign language interpretation, and sub-titles are done poorly.

Despite of all the above, my situation is far better than that of most deaf people, especially women and girls who have no or inadequate education or literacy skills. Their situation is indeed grave. It is for this reason that I have decided to dedicate my life to working with NGOs to improve the lives and livelihoods of deaf women and girls in Uganda.

Uganda has made progress recently in establishing laws and programs in favor of PWDs. The most important of these include the PWDs Act of 2006, which called for the elimination of all forms of discrimination against PWDs. Uganda has also passed affirmative action for students with disabilities at institutions of higher education; provisions in the constitution on non discrimination on basis of disability; the recognition of Uganda sign language; and the provision of representation in parliament by five PWDs. These achievements are largely attributed to intensive lobbying by Disabled People’s Organizations in Uganda, and they put Uganda a step ahead of many developing countries in addressing disability concerns.

My work in Uganda at the United Deaf Women’s Organization promotes the implementation of such laws and programs to benefit deaf women and girls through advocacy, awareness raising, and capacity building. International governments and NGOs working in Uganda are also mainstreaming the concerns of deaf women and girls in their work. My host organization, Access to Independence in Wisconsin, helps PWDs to make informed choices for their own well-being and develop their tools and skills for increased self-determination.

Overall, I hope to see PWDs in Uganda and other developing countries enjoy their rights just as those in the US. To make this happen, we need collective efforts, and PWDs need to be empowered to participate in their own rights advocacy. NGOs can greatly contribute to this achievement by purposefully including the needs of PWDs in their work.