Montie Krumnow’s Post

The Middle East and North Africa (#MENA) Region have long been at the forefront of global efforts to advance disability rights and inclusion. From the inception of the #BillionStrong movement, Arab countries have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to ensuring that the voices of people with disabilities are heard and their rights championed.  Today, all 22 #ArabNations proudly stand united as part of this global movement, which has dedicated country partners and a growing network of global advisors. In a region where the cultural #identity is deeply rooted in values of community and solidarity, the drive for #inclusion has sparked significant progress. People with disabilities and countless organizations across the #ArabWorld have been pivotal in advocating for empowerment, access, and recognition. Their collective efforts have locally advanced the cause of inclusion and contributed to global conversations about #DisabilityIdentity and empowerment. Now, as we look ahead, there is a call to strengthen our impact by inviting more leaders and advisors to join this journey. By expanding the network of global advisors in the Arab region, we can accelerate progress, enhance collaboration, and ensure that no one is left behind in pursuing a more inclusive, equitable world. #WeAreBillionStrong #ArabInclusionRevolution #EmpowerArabDisabilities #InclusiveArabFuture #StrongerTogetherArabStates #ArabLeadershipForInclusion #GCC 

In pre-colonial Nigeria, attitudes towards people with disabilities varied, from care and respect to marginalization. During the colonial era, Western education and medical systems began addressing disability issues, but often sidelined those affected. Post-independence, initial focus was on nation-building with limited attention to disability rights. A key development came in 1977 with the National Policy on Education, including provisions for Special Education. The 1990s saw increased advocacy with the formation of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD) in 1990 and the Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA) in 1993. In the early 2000s, Nigeria signed (2003) and ratified (2007) the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). A major breakthrough was the 2018 Disability Rights Act, prohibiting discrimination and ensuring rights and welfare, leading to the establishment of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities in 2019. The UN CRPD, in force since 2006, aims to ensure full and equal enjoyment of all human rights by persons with disabilities. Advocates like Grace Jerry and President Muhammadu Buhari emphasize the importance of continued advocacy and policy implementation to achieve full equality and inclusion for persons with disabilities in Nigeria. We're making progress, but there's still work to do for full inclusion. Let's keep breaking those barriers together! #DisabilityRights #Inclusion #Nigeria #BreakBarriers #oluwayemisiadekunle

From Kenya to Berlin: This week, our partners are taking part in the African Disability Forum Conference and the African Regional Pre-Summit of the Global Disability Summit in Nairobi, Kenya. The first regional events on the road to the Global Disability Summit in April 2025 –these conferences are critical for reflecting on progress, advocating for change and encouraging greater investment in disability inclusion. Under the #InclusiveFutures initiative – with the support of funders #FCDO and #USAID, and the work of NGOs, research partners, organisations of people with disabilities (OPDs) and country governments, we’ve helped transform the lives of more than 3 million people with disabilities. Yet, our work is far from done. This is what inclusion looks like – progress made, but much more to achieve. #DisabilityInclusion #InclusiveFutures https://bit.ly/3Tfd3z

#DisabilityRights are #HumanRights It's been a month since the historical UN Civil Society Conference in Nairobi #2024UNCSC, which saw new pledges for diverse civil society engagement for the upcoming #PactfortheFuture at the #SummitoftheFuture. ❗But the new mechanism for civil society engagement in the United Nations system - the ImPACT Coalition - lacks a focus on disability inclusion, despite efforts by disability organizations. ✊ International Disability Alliance (IDA), International Disability and Development Consortium (IDDC) and the Stakeholder Group of People with Disabilities for Sustainable Development (SGPwD) now urge UN Secretary-General António Guterres to take action. 🗣The framework surrounding the ImPACT Coalition should articulate and recognise the specific role of the representative voice of 1.3 billion persons with disabilities. 📩Read the full letter below 👇

In Ghana, people with disabilities (PWDs) face significant challenges despite various efforts to promote inclusivity and equal rights. According to the Ghana Statistical Service, around 3% of the population has some form of disability. These individuals often encounter barriers in education, employment, healthcare, and social participation. The Persons with Disability Act (Act 715) of 2006 was a major step forward, aiming to ensure accessibility, equal opportunities, and the protection of the rights of PWDs. Despite the act, enforcement remains inconsistent, with many public buildings still inaccessible, and disability-friendly policies lacking in several sectors. Social stigma and discrimination further limit the participation of PWDs in mainstream society. However, there is growing advocacy for disability rights, led by organizations like the Ghana Federation of Disability Organizations (GFD) and other NGOs. These groups work towards creating awareness, providing support services, and pushing for policy reforms that ensure inclusivity. With continuous effort and societal change, there is hope for a more inclusive future for persons with disabilities in Ghana. #DisabilityRights #InclusionMatters #PWDsInGhana #EqualOpportunities #AccessibilityForAll #GhanaDisabilityAct #DisabilityAdvocacy

The Australian Council for International Development (ACFID) is the peak body for Australia's aid & international development NGOs. Speaking on disability equity, CEO Marc Purcell says, “People with disabilities are some of the poorest and most marginalised in communities across Australia’s region and the world.      The upcoming International Disability Equity and Rights Strategy must be ambitious, accountable and adequately resourced to give Australia’s development program the best chance of success in addressing the drivers of disadvantage and achieving equity for people with disabilities.”    Join us in #ChampioningDisabilityEquity and call for our government to do more in advancing disability equity and rights for people with disabilities across the Indo-Pacific.    ACFID has joined our calls for DFAT to address the drivers of disadvantage in their upcoming International Disability Equity & Rights strategy to achieve #disabilityequity for the millions of people with disabilities in our region. 👉 https://bit.ly/3V2Kfdc 

Read the story below and find out how PNUD Moçambique, through its Democracy and Elections project, is supporting different associations of people with disabilities #PwD to #advocate for the #inclusion of the #Disability Rights #Agenda in #ElectoralManifestos with various electoral actors (EMBs, CSOs, political entities, media, etc). The activity is supported by the governments of Canada 🇨🇦, the European Union 🇪🇺, Norway 🇳🇴 and Spain 🇪🇸. ➡️https://bit.ly/4b0hTq6

Gender-Based Violenceand Disability in Namibia - Opinion - Namibian: Gender-Based Violenceand Disability in Namibia - Opinion  Namibian

The Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD) is elated to be in partnership with Light for the World (LFTW) to implement a signature disability inclusion program known as #WeCanWork in collaboration with Mastercard Foundation and Africa Disability Forum. This program uses a systems and mindset change approach to impact the lives of young African women and men with disabilities enabling them to access dignified and fulfilling work in #Nigeria #Ghana #Senegal #Uganda #Kenya #Ethiopia #Rwanda The program employs a Disability Inclusion Facilitator (DIF) model which involves youth with disabilities aged 18-35 years, leading change through disability awareness training and demonstrating ability in action. JONAPWD has piloted the project with six (6) Disability Inclusion Facilitators (DIFs) and is working towards up-skilling more. Furthermore, youths are engaged in co-creation and their aspirations are activated through the We Can Work Academy which offers them training opportunities for waged employment, entrepreneurship and modern technical up-skilling. At JONAPWD, all hands are on deck to ensure that persons with disabilities are included in society because persons with disabilities deserve a society that is free from discrimination, where they are seen as valuable contributors rather than as burdens and where their abilities outshine their disabilities. We Can Work is instrumental towards realizing this. #WeCanWorkNG #WCW #YoungAfricaWorks #InclusiveEmployment #DignifiedWork

💡Let’s Learn about the Ghana #Disability Bill 2023. ✍️ The Ghana Disability Bill 2023, which is an update to the original Persons with Disabilities Act (Act 715) of 2006, aims to enhance the rights and inclusion of persons with disabilities (PWDs) in line with international standards. ✍️The updated bill seeks to align Ghana's disability laws with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) and the African Disability Protocol. ✍️ Key aspects of the bill include improving access to public infrastructure, ensuring non-discrimination, and promoting equal opportunities in employment and education for PWDs. ✍️ The bill also focuses on enhancing access to technology and assistive devices to support independent living and participation in the digital economy. The bill is expected to impact over 2 million Ghanaians living with disabilities by creating a more inclusive and supportive environment. #signlanguage #DisabilityInclusion Disability:IN International Disability Alliance Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth Global Disability Inclusion, LLC Deaf-In-Tech ——————————————————- Contact Nicholas Adzaho to learn sign language, Disability Inclusion Strategies and Innovations.