MAKING IT WORK INITIATIVE LAUNCHED AT UNITED NATIONS
September 13, 2009
New York -- Handicap International and its partner organizations launched the Making it Work (MIW) initiative on September 3, 2009 at the United Nations. The event was held at the second session of the Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). MIW is an exciting new global research and advocacy initiative to effectively implement the CRPD.
The CRPD is a groundbreaking international law that ensures persons with disabilities have access to the same basic rights enjoyed by all human beings. In most countries, however, the reality for people with disabilities differs significantly from the standards established by the CRPD and national policies.
“MIW aims to bridge this gap by supporting projects that provide information on disability issues and offer recommendations for policy makers” said Rhonda Neuhaus, Program Manager for MIW. “The MIW approach focuses on good practices. By utilizing the examples of innovative experiences, we will be able to provide policy makers with examples of how to proactively make change,” she added.
Making it Work projects have collected information about good practices already in place, such as inclusive development, access to social services, physical accessibility and education.
The international launch of the initiative, which drew more than 45 attendees from non-governmental organizations, bilateral agencies and government delegations, profiled MIW projects already underway in the Middle East and Latin America. Programs have also begun in Southeast Europe and West Africa.
Connie Lauren-Bowie, Executive Director of Inclusion International and member of the MIW International Advisory Committee, moderated the event. Speakers included Regina Atalla from RIADIS, Jahda Abou Khalil of the Arab Association of Disabled Persons and Rhonda Neuhaus from Handicap International.
The MIW International Advisory Committee is composed of CBM; Disabled Peoples' International; Handicap International; Inclusion International; Inter-American Institute on Disability and Development; Leonard Cheshire Disability and Mobility International USA.
“For Inclusion International the MIW initiative provides us with a needed tool to collect and share information and knowledge about the implementation of CRPD,” said Lauren-Bowie.”
“Making it Work ... can also assist governments who use this information to scale up good but often small civil society initiatives,” said Karen Heinicke-Motsch, Director of International Programs at CBM-US. “This will contribute to building local expertise and enhance the ability of governments to deliver on their responsibilities to all citizens, especially people with disabilities,” she added.
For more information, please visit the Making it Work Web site:www.MakingItWork-crpd.org.
CONTACT: Rhonda Neuhaus, Making it Work Program Manager, Phone: (301) 891-2138, E-mail: info@MakingItWork-crpd.org
