disabled children

"I’ve never thought about disabled children in Africa”


 Is this you? Don't worry, you're definitely not alone.

The paralysing effects of pity

At Disability Africa, we try to think things through before we act. We do get emotional sometimes, but we try never to let that guide our strategy. 

The ones left behind

It’s a pretty terrible statistic that only 2% of disabled children in Africa attend school, so wherever we go, we are always keen to have the conversation.
 

Inclusive education in Africa: Look beyond the school gates

Only 2% of disabled children in Africa are attending school. This clearly isn't good enough. But what is inclusive education? Well, it's about much more than just being in the same room. We need to consider the complex reasons why disabled children are denied their right to a quality education and adopt a child-centred approach which looks beyond simple statistics.

Our top 5 achievements for 2016 - the year we changed more lives than ever before

‘Changing children’s lives’ isn’t just a catchy slogan.
 

How would you cope with a broken leg for 4 years?

Have you ever broken a bone? If not, the chances are you know someone who has.

Disabled children are abused and abandoned in institutions around the world

We know things are bad in orphanages and institutions for disabled young people – but did we know they were as bad as this?

There's more to December than Christmas - we can't ignore World Disability Day

3rd December is a day of huge significance

'I thought my child was a devil'

This isn’t what you expect any parent to say of their own child. However, in many African communities, when the child in question is disabled, this is not unusual. We heard this particular statement from a father at our most recent Parent Support Meeting in Gunjur, The Gambia. But we have heard it before. And it matters – a lot – because it is these persistent and negative attitudes that isolate and disable people with impairments.

A country of contrasts: Kenya's forgotten children

Our Project Development Officer for East Africa explores inequality, poverty and disability in rural Kenya  

Our thoughts this World Mental Health Day

Chained to a tree in all weathers for years on end in order to ‘cure’ people with mental health issues

Poverty tourism: harming the people you want to help

To allow our projects to become poverty tourism attractions would reinforce the models of charity, unequal relationships and double standards that we reject and deplore. 

This is why we must stop searching for ways to say 'special needs'

These terms impose an identity on people that they did not choose.

Disability Africa's Life Changing Project

Disability Africa's Life Changing Project

It’s safe to say that my first week of work at Disability Africa was unlike any other. This was my first trip to Africa and it was great to see the life-changing work that Disability Africa does.