DSD details
Background on the role of the Department and challenges of persons with disability
According to world health organization (WHO) approximately 10% of any population has come from of Disability. It is estimated that 600 million thought out the world have a Disability and four hundred million of those are living within developing nations. Persons with disabilities encounter disadvantages in their societies and are often subjected to stigma and discrimination. They remain largely marginalized, disproportionately poorer, frequently unemployed and have high rates of mortality and they suffer from violation of their basic rights and personal dignity. They are largely excluded from civil and political processes and are overwhelmely voiceless in matters that affects their society. Majority lack the opportunity of self-realization and ability to live a normal life.
There are stereotypes, indifferences and unawareness about disability within the society. The society is under prepared for the social inclusion of the disabled and therefore it does not perceive the problem of disability as a priority issue for the society.
The labor market is discriminative; poverty and unemployment are especially widespread among disabled persons. There is no economic mechanism to support the provision of equal opportunities for disable persons. Access to adequate preventative rehabilitation and medical services, assistive devices and other special devices is low
When persons with disabilities are empowered to participate and lead the process of development, their entire community benefits as their involvement creates opportunities for every one with or without disability. It is therefore important to include persons with disabilities and their communities in development efforts to advance the development agenda. Mainstreaming disability in development is a strategy for achieving equality for persons with disabilities.
Disability Mainstreaming
Disability mainstreaming is the integration of disability issues into an organization’s analysis, planning, performance, personnel, policy, monitoring and assessment. It is about dignity, self-worth, autonomy and self-determination. It is a strategy for making the concerns and experiences of people with disabilities an integral dimension of the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of policies and programmes in all political, economic and societal spheres so that persons with disabilities benefit on an equitable basis; and all socio-economic services are accessible to all people with disabilities. The ultimate goal of disability mainstreaming is inclusion.
Although it may be necessary at times to develop separate programmes to address specific needs of people with Disabilities, it is also extremely important to find innovate ways to include people with Disabilities.
Objectives of the programme
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