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UNPRPD Pilots Revised Disability tool in Mozambique
Association Mozambican of Disabled (ADEMO) in partnership with Light for the World, an international disability and development Non-Governmental Organisation, successfully piloted the Revised Draft Disability Audit tool on identifying and addressing stigma and discrimination practices towards persons with disabilities. The piloting of the tool was conducted in Inhambane and Beira in September 2023 to over 30 participants, including representatives from Umbrella body ADEMO, Institute for Vocational Training and Labor Studies (IFPELAC) management and senior staff, learners, instructors, and UNESCO Maputo staff.
The Disability Audit tool has been specifically developed to assist Technical and Vocational Education and Training institutions (TVET), employers’ and workers’ organisations in tracking and documenting stigma and discrimination patterns towards persons with disabilities and measuring a shift in attitudes and perceptions over time.
Disability is not inability
Speaking during the official opening, Ms. Cenia Marcos Nhantumbo Maela of IFPELAC Inhambane, praised the social inclusion of people with disabilities at the training centre and the demonstrated commitment to create reasonable accommodation in the TVETs.
In Inhassoro town, the TVET has created physical accessibility conditions for persons with disabilities.
Ms Maria Alfândiga, IFPELAC Beira Director, stressed the need to strengthen the partnership between ADEMO and the Institution so that persons with disabilities are enrolled in various courses.
ADEMO members in both Inhambane and Beira called for enhanced inclusion of persons with disabilities in TVET institutions.
Information should be in an inclusive way, using sign language, large print and audios.
A pavement of between 100 and 150 metres should be built on the street that leads to IFPELAC, as the street contains dangerous barriers for people with disabilities, especially in the rainy season.
There should be an installation of a small lift to allow access to the rooms on the first floor, since the light courses are taught there. When the installation is complete, there will be no need to transfer the class every time there is a student with disabilities.
The Piloting phase of the Disability Audit Tool in UNPRPD Multi-Country Project countries Namibia, Tanzania and Zimbabwe was completed in 2022 by Organizations of Persons with Disabilities, with technical support provided by Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) Light for the World, within the framework of the United Nations Partnership on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNPRPD) Multi-Country Ending Stigma and Discrimination - Breaking the Cycle of Poverty and Marginalization of Persons with Disabilities Project.
