People with disabilities call for a more inclusive and equitable world post COVID-19
Covid-19, Media-release | March 20, 2023
Today, on International Day of People with Disabilities, leading disability-inclusive international development agency CBM Australia seeks to amplify the voices of people with disabilities calling to build a better, more inclusive and equitable world for all following the COVID-19 pandemic.
The global pandemic of 2020 has had catastrophic impacts on the lives and well-being of people with disabilities right around the world. People with disabilities have faced higher rates of unemployment, food insecurity and challenges to protect themselves from the virus disproportionately more than people without disabilities. As we begin to look to the future, to recover and rebuild, CBM Australia sees an opportunity to build back a better world for all, and address inequalities and injustices inherent in our current systems.
CBM Australia’s new video Better World For All shares the voices of people with disabilities from every corner of the world and paints a picture of more inclusive future world.
In the video Adrian from Papua New Guinea, a lifelong disability-inclusion advocate, stressed to us that in a #BetterWorldForAll we need to see disability inclusion as an imperative, not an option.
“Inclusion is more than ticking a box, it’s about making sure that people with disabilities are part of the conversation, part of the planning and part of making that world a better place,” Adrian said.
Also featured in the video is Toyin, a disability-inclusion consultant and CBM Nigeria’s previous Country Director.
“When we talk about disability inclusion, it is everybody’s business. Everybody has to be involved. Nobody should be left out,” Toyin said.
CBM Australia’s advocacy seeks to highlight the unique barriers faced by people with disabilities and raise awareness of their experiences and stories.
“Ensuring the voices of people with disabilities are heard by those who hold power is key to moving towards a fully inclusive future. This video shows some of the needs and priorities of people with disabilities and is a great conversation starter for how we can start moving towards that future,” says CBM’s CEO Jane Edge.
Jane continues: “The decisions we make now will shape our future. We must include the ideas, priorities and perspectives of people with disabilities in creating the world we want to live in. This International Day of People with Disabilities we are echoing the call to build a world where all people are valued and heard; and can realise their human rights.”
Join our efforts to build a better world for all.
Watch CBM Australia’s video “Better World for All” for International Day of People with Disabilities 2020
https://www.cbm.org.au/media-release/international-day-of-people-with-disabilities-2020