Using international networks
Who is Rehabilitation International – RI?
WHAT MAKES RI’s EXPERTISE SO
UNIQUE?
RI is a multi –stakeholder,
inter-disciplinary and cross-continent
organization
Which, for 90 years, has
advocated for the right of
participation of disabled
people in the society
Focusing on Habilitation
and Rehabilitation.
Relative to Art. 26 UN CRPD
SOME OF OUR OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENTS…
We created the original symbol of
access in 1969
We helped establish that there were 680 million
PWDs in the early 1990s based from an RI survey
.Its National Member Organizations (NMO)
consist of individuals and representatives from:
- DPOs - Health care and
disability professionals- Service providers
- Researchers and social security institutions.
.
This unique expertise covered by RI members are completed
by RI STANDING COMMISSIONS where
guidelines and products are consented together with
partners on international and regional level like:
.RI maintains
official relations with the United Nations (UN)
as well as regional bodies, service providers and
universities.
WHAT MAKES RI’S EXPERTISE SO UNIQUE?
.
DPA and RI
• DPA is the national member of RI
• Significant role within the Asia Pacific region
• Important player internationally– Executive– 1996 Congress
International links and connections- Why?
Changed environment
• UN Convention provided a pathway forward• Provides a new context as both a rights
instrument and a development tool • Involvement of disabled people and their
organisations in policy and service development• Twin track approach – Mainstreaming disability– Specialised services
• International co-operation – Article 32
Implementing the changes
In implementing the UN CRPD for states and with civil society in countries
where there is willingness to realize partnerships with international and
regional organizations
Advocacy
Capacity building
Share expertise
Relative to Art. 32 of the UN CRPD.
Partnerships• Two way process
• Collaboration
• Information sharing and examples of best practice
• Technology
• Leadership role– Role within Asia Pacific region
Advantages
• Speeds up the implementation process
• Part of a wider discussion
• Assists in capacity building
• Broader based arguments to support arguments within NZ
Examples
• Playground in Israel – Moving from the particular – Involving decision makers – Vehicle for social change
• Discussion around Article 12 • Community Based Rehabilitation – Developed countries learning from developing
countries– Move from the medical model and still gain the
benefit of rehabilitation
Examples• India
– Rights– Self employment
• INWWD network
• UN Publications – CBR Guidelines – ILO- “Achieving Equal Employment Opportunities for People
with Disabilities through Legislation Guidelines – World Report
"It is from numberless diverse acts of courage and belief that human history is shaped. Each time man stands up for an ideal or acts to improve the lot of others or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope.“
Robert Kennedy