Our strategy
Disability inclusion requires community support services and networks for persons with disabilities—a key element that has received little international attention so far. As part of our Partnership Cooperation Agreement with UNICEF, CIP has developed a line of work on community support that is now expanding to assist other entities and stakeholders to prioritize community support as a key element of the global agenda on the rights of persons with disabilities.
- Framing the discussion on community support – In partnership with the UNPRPD and UNICEF, we completed a discussion paper (“The Disability Support Gap”) aiming to provide a conceptual framework on community support systems, services and networks. It provides an overview of the critical aspects affecting the provision of community support in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) in line with human rights standards. We are also supporting OHCHR and other stakeholders to develop a conceptual framework and a theory of change on community support.
- Literature review on community support in LMICs- We commissioned a literature review from the University of Stellenbosch in South Africa aimed to identify gaps, key barriers, and strategies for the provision of community support in LMICs. To our knowledge, it is first comprehensive literature review related to community support for persons with disabilities in LMICs.
- Community support in Latin America & the Caribbean – We are mapping legal frameworks, policies, programs, and population level data on community support across the region. We are working with UNICEF and Latin American Development Bank – CAF to produce reports aiming to analyze support and access gaps, as well as policies and programs and how they link to the economy of care discussions.
- Identifying good practices on community support- CIP is conducting a mapping of positive community support practices in LMICs.
As part of the PCA with UNICEF, CIP is conducting two country studies on community support to document good practices in Thailand and Peru. For Thailand, the focus is on the personal assistance scheme which is unique for LMICs. For Peru, we are mapping entry points for the development of community support programs and interventions as part of the country response on social protection and its new national care agenda.
Alberto Vásquez Encalada leads our work in this area.
Articles about Inclusive Social Protecion
- What are the challenges to providing quality higher education for persons with disabilities in low and middle income countries and what would be the effective approaches to eliminate barriers to reduce dropout and improve quality higher education?
- Holding Governments Accountable for Inclusion
- What are the external and internal barriers for organizations of persons with disabilities, and especially women with disabilities, to be involved in policy discussions impacting on gender equality at national and global levels?
- What do climate-focus agencies need to be doing to ensure the inclusion of persons with disabilities in their work, and what should disability organisations need to be doing to ensure a focus on climate in their work?
