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Promoting disability-inclusive development for all in low and middle-income countries

At CBM, we strive for a world where no one is left behind—where preventable disabilities are no longer a reality, and where persons with disabilities are fully included in society. Through our political and advocacy work, we push for inclusive policies and equal access to healthcare, education, and livelihoods, so that everyone can live with dignity and participate fully in their communities.

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The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which came into force in 2008, aims to ensure that all persons with disabilities can enjoy their human rights and fundamental freedoms. But around the world, progress in this regard is moving at a snail’s pace. Too often, persons with disabilities are denied the right to fully and continuously participate in society and achieve their full potential.

 

At CBM, we use our close relationships with organisations representing persons with disabilities, particularly in countries of the Global South, and our experience as a leading organisation in disability-inclusive development to advocate for the rights of persons with disabilities to be realised by national governments, at regional and global level.       

 

We raise awareness of disability inclusion, amplify the voices of those directly affected and aim to bring about disability-inclusive policy making that has practical impact on the lives of persons with disabilities. Our work is comprehensive, multi-sectoral, evidence-based and partnership-oriented, leveraging our programmatic work and making the most of collaboration with like-minded organisations.

 

Through our partners, we also fund local and national advocacy activities that promote the participation of persons with disabilities and support the strengthening of local organisations of persons with disabilities (OPDs). In this way, we contribute to the empowerment of persons with disabilities to advocate for their own human rights.

Advocating for inclusion, equity, and equity—for everyone, everywhere.

Our main advocacy objective is to influence stakeholders in development policy and humanitarian assistance to ensure the principles of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) are followed and adopted, and to work towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SRGs).

We advocate for:

  • Appropriate community support to ensure the full participation of persons with disabilities on an equal basis with others.
  •  Disability-inclusive social protection to ensure income security, autonomy, and participation for persons with disabilities while protecting individuals, especially those in vulnerable situations, from stresses and shocks that may lead to increased poverty, deprivation, inequality, and social exclusion.
  • Disability-inclusive health equity: Inclusive health services that are accessible for persons with disabilities and integrate access to health promotion, prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and assistive technology services. This also includes health system strengthening in the fields of eye health, ear and hearing care, physical rehabilitation and neglected tropical diseases.
  • Inclusive education as the key to realising many other human rights and a driver for achieving the sustainable development goals, as well as the means for individual development and the fulfillment of one’s potential.
  • Inclusive livelihoods to ensure the economic and personal independence of persons with disabilities, earning their own living and contributing to their families and communities.
  • Disability-inclusive disaster risk reduction (DIDRR) and inclusive humanitarian action.
  • The collection and use of disability-disaggregated data to ensure evidence based policy-making and programme design, effective resource allocation, identification of gaps and monitoring of progress.
  • Meaningful participation of persons with disabilities in all decision-making and implementing processes that affect their lives, ensuring their voices are heard, their expertise is used, and their needs are addressed.

Making participation inclusive

How can the participation of people with disabilities and their self-advocacy organisations (OPDs) finally succeed effectively? What steps are necessary to enable real participation? How do I speak and act inclusively?

The Inclusive Participation Toolbox is your guide to understand what meaningful participation of persons with disabilities and their representative organisations (OPDs) means and how to achieve it in a sustainable way.

The toolbox offers tips, tricks, background information, contact details and numerous material directly for download. For further information or tailored introductory seminars, please contact participation@cbm.org

 

Inclusive Participation Toolbox

Silent Tears

Silent Tears – Strong Women!

Violence against women is a global issue, but women with disabilities face unique risks due to their perceived helplessness and dependence on others. This vulnerability is worsened by intersecting discrimination based on gender and disability, leaving them often excluded from education, employment, and community life.

To address this, CBM launched Silent Tears, an exhibition raising awareness of the violence faced by women with disabilities and advocating for their empowerment. The Silent Tears exhibition tells the stories of 24 women who have survived violence, showcasing their resilience and strength.

 

Listen to their stories

Learn more about our areas of advocacy

Resources and publications

  • Fundamental Principles for Inclusive Development (EN)

    pdf, 6.1MB, Not Accessible

    Reducing inequalities and achieving equality of opportunities for all! Inclusive development aims to ensure that all human beings enjoy the same rights and opportunities. Guided by the vision of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, CBM Christian Blind Mission works to end the discrimination of persons with disabilities.

    Download

Networks and Partners

Networks

CBM collaborates with various national and international networks, working groups, and organisations to enhance efforts in the field of inclusion. These collaborations are pivotal in driving forward our mission to create a more inclusive world for everyone, especially for people with disabilities.

Our political partners primarily include United Nations departments and agencies, crucial in shaping global policies and frameworks. In addition to our work with the UN, we engage with a broad spectrum of international non-governmental organisations (INGOs) including European Development Forum (EDF), International Disability Alliance (IDA), International Disability and Development Consortium (IDDC), Verband Entwicklungspolitik und Humanitäre Hilfe (VENRO). 

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