There are more than one billion persons with disabilities around the world - that’s at least 15% of the global population - with at least 80% living in developing countries. Some people are born with their disabilities, and others may acquire disabilities over the course of their lifespan. Numerous international standards exist that are relevant to creating a world that is accessible to and inclusive of persons with disabilities on an equal basis with others - including youth with disabilities. These standards include the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (a human rights treaty to which over 180 countries and the European Union are parties), and the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (which are animated by the core principle to Leave No One Behind, including persons with disabilities). At the national level, many countries have adopted non-discrimination legislation (like the Americans with Disabilities Act in the United States) and accessibility standards to ensure that persons with disabilities can participate fully in society.
We all have a role to play in creating a world that respects persons with disabilities as part of the rich and diverse tapestry of humanity. This starter kit has been compiled to give you information and easy and actionable steps on how to make your activities accessible to, and inclusive of youth with disabilities!
Creating a respectful and welcoming environment:
- Communicating With and About Persons with Disabilities - Disability is part of the human experience, but sometimes people use words or phrases that are insensitive and do not promote understanding, dignity, and respect for persons with disabilities. In many cases this is not intentional, but is disrespectful just the same. For guidance on communication with and about persons with disabilities, with an emphasis on respecting the preferences of the disability community in your cultural context, see: Disability Communication Tips (USAID), which includes five tips for communication with and about persons with disabilities to promote empowering and respectful representation.
- There’s No Need to be Awkward (District of Columbia Office of Disability Rights) - You may not have had many opportunities to interact with other youth with disabilities, and that’s OK! This short video gives some simple tips to help you interact and collaborate with persons with disabilities in a respectful way.
Resources to help you make your digital content accessible:
- Create Accessible Video, Audio and Social Media (U.S. General Services Administration)
- Add Your Own Closed Captions to YouTube Videos (Google)
- How to Make an Accessible Document in Microsoft Word (U.S. General Services Administration)
- Examples of accessible websites by Internetrix and DBS Interactive
- During virtual meetings, here are simple things you can do:
- In advance of a virtual meeting, invite participants to let you know what would help make the meeting more accessible to them.
- Allow only one person to speak at a time
- If a screen is being shared, describe the visuals. If possible, share presentation materials so that participants can refer to documents on their own devices if that is more comfortable or accessible for them.
- Read any comments that come in through a chat function out loud
- Take occasional breaks to recap critical information and ensure everyone understands what’s being discussed
- Remember to record all meetings (with agreement of all participants), and share the recordings (once captioned), along with any additional notes and presentation materials once complete
- Use virtual meeting platforms that are compatible with screen readers and other assistive technology, and that come with built-in accessibility features, e.g. auto-captioning. Ensure that such features are enabled for your specific meeting if they fall under the control of the meeting host.
- For more information and tips, see Holding Accessible and Inclusive Virtual Meetings (IFES)
Research and Guidance on Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities around the World:
- Disability Development Report (United Nations Department of Economic & Social Affairs) - This report represents the first United Nations system-wide effort to examine disability and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at the global level. The report reviews data, policies and programmes and identifies best practices; and uses this evidence to outline recommended actions to promote the realization of the SDGs for persons with disabilities.
- Guide for Business on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (International Labour Organization) - The publication points the way to corporate leadership on inclusion. The guide also aspires to be relevant to policy makers, especially those that work on business and human rights programmes at national, regional and international levels, to trade unions, civil society organizations, national human rights institutions and other organizations promoting the rights of persons with disabilities.
Persons with Disabilities During COVID-19:
Persons with disabilities, including youth with disabilities have been disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. If your activities involve advocacy or activism related to the pandemic, its effects, and how to respond, the following resources provide information on the impact of the pandemic on persons with disabilities and how societies can better respond:
- COVID-19 and the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Guidance (United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights) - This guidance aims to: bring awareness of the pandemic’s impact on persons with disabilities and their rights; draw attention to some promising practices already being undertaken around the world; identify key actions for States and other stakeholders; and provide resources for further learning about ensuring rights based COVID-19 responses inclusive of persons with disabilities.
- Disability Rights During the Pandemic: A global report of the findings of the COVID-19 Disability Rights Monitor (International Disability Alliance) - In its final report, the COVID-19 Disability Rights Monitor (DRM) Coordinating Group calls for urgent action by States and the international community to halt the catastrophic failure to protect the lives, health and rights of persons with disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Protect Rights of People with Disabilities During COVID-19 (Human Rights Watch) - The article provides an overview of the particular challenges persons with disabilities face during COVID-19, and how governments should respond.
- Policy Brief: A Disability-Inclusive Response to COVID-19 (United Nations) - This Policy Brief highlights the impact of COVID19 on persons with disabilities and in doing so, outlines key actions and recommendations to make the response and recovery inclusive of persons with disabilities. While the brief contains specific recommendations focusing on key sectors, it identifies four overarching areas of action that are applicable for all.
What now? How to put this kit to use:
- Look into some of the trainings and resources to make accessible digital tools, and practice creating a welcoming community.
- If you’re a leader in your community or organization, share these resources with your team, and take steps to make sure your meetings are accessible.
- Just as you look to include people who represent other aspects of diversity, reach out to youth with disabilities to invite them to join your team.
- Collaborate with youth with disabilities to identify how COVID-19 has impacted persons with disabilities in your community, and how you can help make sure everyone is included in the pandemic response.
- Measure your success using SMART goals, adjusting where necessary.
- Share your comments about this kit. What tools have worked, and which are missing?