Disability and inclusion - Inclusive communication for disability: strengthening South-to-South communication
Project activity: PhotoVoice - Focusing the lens on disability
PhotoVoice workshops were organised by two of the project's partners - SARPV and FACAPH, in Bangladesh and Cameroon respectively.
In each case two workshops were completed with an interval of two months between them. The first workshop (one week) covered the basics of photography and the camera as well as developing a theme for images. The second workshop (one week) reviewed the photos taken in the two months between the workshops and stories were developed, along themes such as "Friends", "One day in my life", and "My disability".
The Bangladesh experience
The Social Assistance and Rehabilitation for the Physically Vulnerable
(SARPV), photographic initiative brought together
15 young disabled people from across Bangladesh. The workshops, run jointly
by SARPV Healthlink Worldwide and PhotoVoice, focused attention on
disability issues and aimed to influence national policy change.
The group’s participants used the medium of photography to document their views and opinions. By sharing an insight into their lives as active individuals they hoped to educate others and stimulate debate.
At the start of the initiative in February 2004, a week-long workshop was held in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The participants were trained in the techniques of photo-journalism and supported to portray the issues they felt were important.
Using automatic cameras the young people had two months to record their experiences. The issues they covered ranged from gaining access to education, finding routes into fulfilling employment, and the right to enjoy an independent life. They documented not only their own experiences but also those of other disabled people in their local areas.
The participants’ disabilities included visual impairments, learning difficulties, mental health difficulties, and physical disabilities. Although the challenges they faced were diverse, the group was united in its aim to challenge the stigma and stereotyping associated with disability.
The results of the group’s work were shown at an exhibition in Dhaka, called " Our Voices". The event - the first of its kind in the city – provided visitors with a unique insight into how disabled people view their lives.
Shefali Akter Shetu and Abul Kashem from SARPV assisted with the training. These two Bangladeshi photographers were involved in a previous PhotoVoice project in the country. Their work from the ‘Out of focus’ project can be seen on the website: www.drik.net/outoffocus/
Images and stories from the Bangladesh exhibition
Ibrahim,
by Sohel, age 14
"Ibrahim is 14 years old. His parents sent him
out onto the road to beg - they thought that he couldn't’t
do anything because he was disabled. He went to CSID and they listened
to him... they
gave him his wheel chair...now he goes at his
work using his wheel chair and trains others. Now Ibrahim is happy."
My Home, by Rachael Islam, age 20
"...there is foot over bridge in some bus stands where normal and disabled
people can cross the road safely. There are many mills and factories in
this town where many workers from different place works. If you walk through
the railroad you will find some beautiful natural scenery."
It
is so hard for a disabled person to ride on vehicles, by Rashed
"He
is a physically disabled person. He has a disability in his leg. He has a
problem riding in any vehicles. If someone can help him to ride on vehicles
it will be better."
School
Students, by Rashed
"These two little girls are students, they read together in the same
class. The small girl's name is Nazma. The girl has not one hand. She doesn't
feel shy because she is studying in a good school. She can move from one
place to another."