Founding partners
Handicap International
Handicap International is a non-governmental organization specialized in the field of disability whose aim is to improve the capacity of disabled persons to satisfy their basic needs and to exercise their fundamental rights. Handicap International works on behalf of people with physical, sensory or mental impairment; people suffering from chronic diseases, particularly HIV and AIDS; and people with mental health difficulties or suffering from psychological stress.
A comprehensive approach to disabilities and chronic illness is implemented through the combined efforts of people living with disabilities themselves, their families and communities, and the appropriate health, education, vocational and social services. While Handicap International has been involved in the fight against HIV and AIDS in Africa for over a decade, programmes to address the specific vulnerabilities of people with disability has been a growing focus since 2001.
With increasing field experience in Ethiopia, Kenya, Burundi, Rwanda and Mozambique, a focus on research and "best practices", and a mandate to lobby for the rights of people with disabilities, Handicap International offers technical support and coordination to the Campaign on Disability and HIV & AIDS in Africa.
The Secretariat of the African Decade of Disabled Persons
The African Decade of Disabled Persons is a 10 year period, 1999-2009, declared by the African Union Assembly of Heads of State and Government during its 35th session, held in Algiers in July 1999. Its aim is to mainstream and integrate disability issues across all sectors of governments and within all development aid programs to benefit the region. The Secretariat of the African Decade of Disabled Persons was subsequently established in Cape Town to administer the Decade which is comprised of disabled and non-disabled staff mainly from African countries. Its role is to raise awareness of the Decade and the situation of Africans with disabilities through public education initiatives, collaborative activities with Decade partners, capacity building and communications outreach.
The action plan for the remaining years of the Decade (2006 – 2009) is focused on:
- Inclusion of people with disabilities in poverty reduction programs;
- Significantly increasing the number of disabled African children and youth in schools and educational programs;
- Ensuring that health services, including HIV and AIDS programs, reach a greater number of Africans with disabilities.