Healthlink Worldwide

Sharing learning for Inclusive communication for development March 2006 seminar report

On 26 March 2007, Healthlink conducted a knowledge sharing and learning seminar in London as part of the two-year EU Disability Mainstreaming in Development Cooperation project. Entitled ‘Sharing Learning: Inclusive Communication for Development. The purpose of this event was to share learning and experiences about developing initiatives in the context of disability in development and to identify good practices in inclusive communication.

It was expected that the event would help improve the understanding by NGOs, DPOs and southern disability organisations of inclusive communication which, in turn, will enhance dialogue between these groups. Learning and experiences from this forum would feed into the preparation of a manual that would serve as a guide for other NGOs when addressing this issue.

The forum was attended by over 30 participants from various NGOs, academic institutions and private practitioners in this field in the UK. The speakers included representatives of both development organisations and disability organisations who have learning to share about innovations in promoting inclusive communication. The event was facilitated by Martin Babu Mwesigwa from NUDIPU (National Union of Disabled Persons in Uganda), one of Healthlink’s partners in Uganda.

Background to the event
Under this project, Healthlink carried out a mapping study in 2006 about perceptions of disability in development amongst a sample of UK and EU non-governmental organisations and disability-focused organisations. Findings from this study and the results of an earlier DFID Disability Knowledge and Research programme pointed to a need for more dialogue and shared learning about mainstreaming disability in development and about developing inclusive communication processes and practices. Particularly important was the need to understand how to engage with southern DPOs and people with disabilities (PWDs) and promote dialogue between the northern and southern partners.

Seminar activities
Activities during the day included trying to reach a consensus on the meaning of ‘inclusive communication in development’ (ICD) and identification of key words and phrases related to ICD. Examples of definitions of ICD proposed by the participants included the following:

• “A methodology for ensuring information can reach everyone regardless of their impairment or level of education.”
• “…ensuring that the public, CSOs and government understand the impact of social, economic, political and cultural life of PWDs”
• “…the ability to engage vulnerable groups in all development undertakings at social, economic and political levels. It necessitates the willingness to hear them, see them and comprehend their real needs and issues and together develop an agenda and or design programmes intended to address the needs and issues. It is about working together to meet the set objectives with the intended beneficiaries.”

The importance of consultation and effective engagement with the beneficiary population when designing a programme for that group was underscored. It was pointed out that failure to do so may result in initiatives that may be faulty or contrary to project objectives despite extensive consultations, simply because the right beneficiaries have not been consulted.

Case studies were presented by five organisations who shared their experiences and challenges when implementing disability programmes in developing countries. The presentations were by:

• International Service – On their approach to mainstreaming disability
• PhotoVoice – On the value of empowerment through participatory photography
• World Vision UK – On their current efforts to mainstream disability in their programmes
• National Union of Disabled Persons of Uganda – On the disability movement in Uganda, the creation of NUDIPU and the role of ICD

A group discussion session was held during which each group was assigned specific question, outcomes of which were later presented in plenary. The five questions were as follows:
Q1. How can we improve our work with PWDs?
Q2. How can we involve inclusive communication in development (ICD) in our work at organisational level?
Q3. What new lessons have you learned from the various presentations this morning?
Q4. What basic values and principles are best suited for our disability interventions?
Q5. How do we incorporate elements of social equity and justice in development work?

The seminar concluded with suggestions for potential follow-on action.

For further details of the Disability Mainstreaming in Development Co-operation project, contact Isabelle Wahedova at Isabelle.Wahedova@light-for-the-world.net

For further details of Healthlink Worldwide’s Inclusive Communication for Disability project, contact Shampa Nath at nath.s@healthlink.org.uk