2020: the year of “I can’t breathe”. From the horrific murder of George Floyd and the ensuing global protests, the respiratory distress experienced by millions within months, or the vitriolic echo of the ‘anti-maskers’ – the legacy of that one short polyseme will undoubtedly be felt in years to come. Already, the most tangible and provocative impacts have been felt in education – rethinking both what we teach, and how we teach it.
This view is often implied in discussions about disability, Africa and development. But the case for inclusion is economic, social and above all moral. We should view it as an opportunity rather than an expense.
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.
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.
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.
Our Project Development Officer for East Africa explores inequality, poverty and disability in rural Kenya
Chained to a tree in all weathers for years on end in order to ‘cure’ people with mental health issues
There are disabled children everywhere in Africa; unknown, hidden and desperately deprived. Disability Africa works with people in African communities to develop awareness of the needs of disabled young people and provide services to meet those needs.
I had this Idea about two years ago; thought about it for a week and then shared the Idea with a few people - the ones I knew wouldn't think I was too crazy, and they rallied round to help set up a charity
I guess it will always be a shock when you walk into someone's home to find a member of the family starving to death.
