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ABILITY TOGETHER

Handicap International takes action in the field and works towards a world where everyone has equal rights. Our priority is to ensure that disabled people play a vital role in society.
HEALTH
Handicap International’s work covers projects such as training local staff, setting up community pharmacies, developing orthopaedic and rehabilitation services, ensuring psychological support and running disability prevention projects. There are many things we can do to help disabled people access health services in countries where there is often no social security system.
EDUCATION
Receiving an education enables disabled children to find a job, be independent, be socially included and defend their rights. Handicap International works to ensure that all children and young people have equal rights to education.
EMPLOYMENT
Handicap International promotes the professional inclusion of disabled people and gives them the support they need to set up their own businesses. Our goal is to enable disabled people to meet their own needs and regain their dignity.
LEISURE ACTIVITIES
Leisure, sport and cultural activities can play an important part in rehabilitation. They are also platforms for social exchange and for meeting new people. Over the past 20 years, Handicap International has included Sport and Physical activities in its projects by training sports trainers, supporting the organisation of events and the set up of local facilities.
EMERGENCY
Disabled people are particularly vulnerable during emergency situations, such as conflicts, displacement and natural disasters. They are often among the first victims and may need special assistance to overcome the physical and psychological trauma of the disaster. Emergency stakeholders need to be fully informed and trained before the emergency situation occurs to ensure that disabled people’s needs are taken into account.
PROMOTING THE RIGHTS

Studies show that only 45 countries in the world have anti-discrimination laws that specifically refer to disabled people. The discrimination they face and the lack of respect of their basic human rights mean that disabled people are deprived of their independence and the freedom to make their own choices in life. Disabled people are unable to enjoy the same opportunities as everyone else. On 13th December 2006, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. This Convention does not create new rights - rather it reaffirms existing rights, taking into account the needs of disabled people. It requires ratifying states to include the rights covered by this text into their national laws, such as ensuring buildings are accessible to disabled people.

Download "A seven-point guide to understanding the Convention"

Last update: 23 September 2008                                                     Contact | Legal notice             Partner logo: Ubisoft Partner logo: Milan Presse Partner logo: Nickelodeon Partner logo: European Union


This publication has been produced with the assistance of the European Union.
The contents of this publication is the sole responsibility of Handicap International and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union