Disability Inclusion in Programs for Refugees and Displaced

Disability Inclusion in Programs for Refugees and Displaced People

Introductions. . . • UNHCR • Implementing partners • Disability organisations • Refugees and displaced persons with disabilities Source: CBR Guidelines, 2010

Objectives. . . This workshop will support stakeholders to: • Recognize protection concerns and capacities of refugees and displaced persons with disabilities • Apply the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and UNHCR Guidance on Working with Persons with Disabilities to their programs and sectors • Identify strategies to promote access and inclusion for persons with disabilities in key activities of their programs • Design action plans to promote disability inclusion in their work sectors in collaboration with key stakeholders.

UNHCR Operations. . . Calls upon States, UNHCR and partners to meet the needs of people with disabilities in situations of forced displacement

UNHCR Operations. . . “It is important for UNHCR to ensure that the rights of persons with disabilities who are of concern to the Office are met without discrimination…” “Exclusion of persons with disabilities during displacement can be inadvertent or purposeful: in either case, nevertheless, it is discriminatory. ”

UNHCR Operations. . . Source: Women’s Refugee Commission/Emma Pearce

Our experiences so far. . . • In groups, discuss: How are refugees and displaced people with disabilities included in your programs? Source: Women’s Refugee Commission/Emma Pearce

Understanding disability. . . Source: World Health Organization, 2002

Defining disability “Persons with disabilities include those who have longterm physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments which in interaction with various barriers may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. ” (Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, 2006)

Defining impairment “Impairments are problems in body function or alterations in body structure” (World Report on Disability, 2011) Source: Women’s Refugee Commission, 2010

Models of disability Adapted from Three Models of Disability, World Vision UK (CBM, 2011)

Models of disability Human rights model People with a disability are seen to have a right to access all within their society on an equal basis with others. It incorporates social model thinking to identify and address barriers which are limiting the attainment of rights. The rights-based approach adopts awareness, participation, comprehensive accessibility and twin track as core disabilityinclusive development principles. (CBM, 2012)

Disabilities among refugees and displaced populations • Approximately 15% of any population are living with disabilities globally (World Report on Disability, 2011) • And an even bigger population are affected when families are taken into account Source: Women’s Refugee Commission, 2010 Photo: CBM Australia (Asian Development Bank, 2002)

Disabilities among refugees and displaced populations • Conflict and insecurity causes disability due to: – Direct physical and emotional trauma – Illness from poor living conditions – Inadequate health care or rehabilitation Source: Women’s Refugee Commission, 2010

Disabilities among refugees and displaced populations • People with disabilities and their families are among the most affected and vulnerable in contexts of forced displacement due to: – Loss of community support structure – Heightened negative attitudes – Changes to the built environment Source: Women’s Refugee Commission, 2010

Protection concerns and capacities Source: Women’s Refugee Commission/Emma Pearce

Identification and assessment • Identifying and collecting data on people with disabilities – one of the biggest challenges • Monitoring and responding to changes in situation Source: Women’s Refugee Commission/Emma Pearce

Community Representation and Participation Source: Women’s Refugee Commission/Emma Pearce

Stigma and discrimination • Those with mental disabilities face more discrimination • Fewer services for those with mental disabilities • Assistance programs mostly focus on those with physical and sensory disabilities Source: Women’s Refugee Commission, 2010

Concerns of parents and carers “The most scary thing is what will happen after we pass away. Who will take care of them like me? ” (Mother of a child with disabilities) • As parents get older, it gets harder to care for their disabled family member • Stress on the family and “difficulties between husband wife” Source: Women’s Refugee Commission, 2010

Specialized services • Physical rehabilitation services are often absent • Where present, these services are generally provided by specialist agencies, like Handicap International • Some refugee families are making their own devices Source: Women’s Refugee Commission/Emma Pearce

Water and sanitation • Poor access to water and other materials for hygiene activities with children and young people with severe disabilities • Latrines are far, too high and some people have difficulty squatting • Some women with disabilities need assistance during menstruation period Source: Women’s Refugee Commission/Emma Pearce

Education • Positive findings! • Children with disabilities are in school, particularly in camp settings • BUT there are greater gender disparities and drop-out rates among children with disabilities Source: JRS Thailand

Livelihoods Source: Jane Yang/IRC • Limited access to vocational and skills training, income generation and employment • Parents and carers are often unable to participate in vocational training • Incentive programs are largely inaccessible

Violence, abuse and exploitation • Children with disabilities are teased by other children in all contexts “They call me ‘broken man!’” (Boy with disabilities from Bangladesh) • Research suggests that children with disabilities, boys and girls, are at high risk of violence and sexual abuse • Exploitation by families and other community members in relation to food and non-food distributions is commonly reported • Lack of adequate management for people with severe psychosocial impairments who often face human rights abuses • Women with disabilities are accessing SGBV response, but not prevention programs

Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities • Both a development and a human rights instrument • Cross-disability and cross-sectoral • The Convention marks a shift in attitudes and approaches to persons with disabilities from "objects“ of charity, medical treatment and social protection… to "subjects" with rights, who are capable of claiming those rights and making decisions for their own lives.

Principles of CRPD • • • Dignity Freedom of choice Independence of person Non-discrimination Full and effective participation and inclusion in society Equal opportunities Accessibility Equality between men and women Respect for children with disabilities

Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Article 11: Situations of risk and humanitarian emergencies “States Parties shall take. . . all necessary measures to ensure the protection and safety of persons with disabilities in situations of risk, including situations of armed conflict, humanitarian emergencies and the occurrence of natural disasters. ” Article 32: International Cooperation “Ensure that international cooperation, including international development programmes, is inclusive of and accessible to persons with disabilities. ”

Status of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities August 2012 • 153 signatories to the convention since its opening for signature • 90 signatories to the Optional Protocol since its opening for signature • 118 ratifications and accessions to the Convention • 71 ratifications and accessions of the Protocol http: //www. un. org/disabilities/countries. asp? navid=12&pid=166

What is a DPO? Disabled Peoples Organization (DPOs) : An organisation formed, owned and managed by the leadership of persons with disabilities. Example: Disabled peoples International (DPI)/ BPKS. 31 in Source: Presentation by BPKS at the workshop on Disability Inclusion in Programs for Refugees and Displaced Persons Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh on 24 th – 26 th April 2012.

Group activity 1. What are we already doing towards this right? 2. What else should we do? Source: Women’s Refugee Commission/Emma Pearce

Resource Kit • For fieldworkers • Practical checklists and tools on how to improve services and protection for displaced persons with disabilities

Disability networks and stakeholders Source: CBR Guidelines, 2010

Comprehensive accessibility Ø Attitudes e. g. Family members may think they can’t learn or participate; they may worry about safety Ø Environment e. g. The buildings may be difficult to access Ø Communication and information e. g. Using only one method of communication Ø Poverty related e. g. Families may not have funding

© CBM 2008 – Twin track approach to disability and development policy paper.

Track: Mainstreaming disability • Design all responses to be inclusive and accessible to persons with disabilities • Seeks to ensure people with a disabilities have access to our mainstream programs, such as health, education, employment, social services, etc. • Ensures persons with disabilities are integrally involved & represented in all stages of consultation and decision making

Track: Empowerment – Targeted actions Include targeted actions to address the specific needs of persons with disabilities Seeks to empower persons with disabilities, their families and representing organisations to ensure meaningful participation (e. g. Awareness raising about rights, provision of mobility aids, networking with other disability organisations, communication formats, capacity building DPOs)

Action Planning • In your groups, pick one “mainstream” and one “targeted” action you can do together the next 12 months • - What will be the roles of: People with disabilities and their families? Organizations working with refugees? Disability organizations?