UNDP Rwanda Launches Multi-stakeholder Disability Platform

30/November/2022 - In partnership with the Ministry of Local Governance, NCPD Rwanda, UNICEF, and UN Women in Rwanda, UNDP Rwanda launched a multi-stakeholder disability platform in Rwanda ahead of the International Day for Persons with Disabilities (IDPwD).

The IDPwD was recognized as a special day to advocate for the rights and needs of persons with disabilities. The platform, therefore, came at an opportune moment for UNDP in Rwanda to launch the multi-stakeholder disability platform! This year's theme is "Transformative solutions for inclusive development: the role of innovation in fuelling an accessible and equitable world."

The launched forum aims to bring together stakeholders from the disability community, government, Civil Society Organisations, and private sector to discuss how the country can be better inclusive. The platform will harmonize coordination, information sharing, networking, and resource mobilization among its objectives. The situation analysis conducted by UNDP in 2021 indicated that there was limited stakeholder coordination in disability inclusion.

The launched forum aims to bring together stakeholders from the disability community, government, Civil Society Organisations, and private sector to discuss how the country can be better inclusive.

"Negative attitudes in social circles are often the greatest barriers to inclusion & career advancement. Some of the measures needed can be as simple as using social media to reinforce messages supporting persons with disabilities," said Maxwell Gomera, UNDP Rwanda's Resident Representative.

The event was held on the 30th of November 2022 at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Kigali, and featured high-level speakers from across Rwanda, including the Ministry of Local Governance.

"Creating the disability platform comes at a time when the Rwandan government is committed to uplifting those living in extreme poverty," Assumpta Ingabire, Minister of State in Social Affairs. "I thank UNDP Rwanda for this noble initiative. It will help us to achieve more sustainable results together."

The platform will serve as an engagement platform to bring stakeholders together to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities.

Rwanda has been leading the way in disability inclusion and development. These improvements serve as an example for other countries and benefit people with disabilities.

The event held a panel discussion that included persons with different disabilities who discussed what stakeholders from the government and Civil Society expect from the platform.

"For disability inclusion to occur, we must change the mindset, especially among decision-makers."- Baptiste Murema, Legal Advisor and Program Manager at the National Union of Disabilities' Organisations of Rwanda (NUDOR).

We also need to create awareness & conduct research on the lives of persons with Disabilities to avoid un-informed decisions," he said.

Expected improvements in disability inclusion require research, capacity building, etc. The platform hopes to partner with other platforms to encourage better information sharing.

"Full representation is needed in the planning and implementation phases for policymakers to solve issues of the persons with disabilities with their involvement." - Sam Munana, Executive Director of Rwanda National Union of the Deaf (RNUD).

Munana added that user experience must be considered while designing assistive devices for persons with disabilities.

In line with the theme of the IDPWD this year, Transformative solutions for inclusive development: the role of innovation in fuelling an accessible and equitable world, five improved white canes were unveiled and handed over to some visually impaired participants at the disability platform event.

Designed by young Rwandan innovators Polystar Nanotech Ltd, the second version of the smart white cane is long-life rechargeable, customizable to heights, vibrates, and signals when the user faces an obstacle in front or above while walking, improving their mobility. It also rolls on a wheel to make it easier to use on all surfaces.

Recently, UNDP also launched a 3D computer-aided design and manufacturing machine for orthotics and prosthetics, which will help to improve the efficiency and quality of the limbs produced.

UNDP is committed to partnering with various organizations to support persons with disabilities toward their self-reliance and independence.