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