Good Experiences with Inclusion

With the aim to raise awareness for the need of mainstreaming disability issues in all spheres of international development work, the CBM supported CAHD office in New Delhi, India, has compiled a new publication titled "Disability in Development – Experiences in Inclusive Practices".

The document – a joint cooperation of CBM with Handicap International – summarizes lessons learnt within seven pilot projects applying CAHD in Bangladesh, Nepal, India and the Philippines. The projects were supported by CBM and HI and implemented by partner organisations in the countries. The aim of the publication is to illustrate successful inclusive practices, implemented in the communities throughout these projects, and discuss positive impacts on quality of life.

People with disabilities, their families and local communities have actively participated in the design and implementation of the projects, and have thus played a central role in making CAHD initiatives successful.

The publication is presented in three parts:

• The first section is titled "Mainstreaming Disability" and gives an overview on the existing scenario regarding disability and people with disabilities in Asia. CAHD is presented as an initiative founded in 1996 in Bangladesh to accelerate inclusion and social change.
• The second part under the heading "Successful Inclusive Practices" exemplifies specific aspects of the CAHD approach and its implementation, e.g. including disability in the policies of development organisations and governments, or creating a child-friendly environment also for children with disabilities.
• The third part on "Promoting Inclusion for All" highlights lessons learnt and recommends inclusive practices to implementing agencies and other stakeholders.