SBC Disability Toolkit - Module 5: Strengthening partnerships for advocacy

Addressing stigma and discrimination toward children and youth with disabilities through SBC

Introduction

Sarah's Story Part 5:

Then there were many other advocates – people, friends – who supported me through the years. I learned about my rights through a workshop run by a local organization of people with disabilities. At the age of 12, I joined an online forum where another young person spoke about an application that helped convert text to speech. My school received tablets, and we were all trained on how to use them. On December 3, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, we marched across town, carrying posters about our rights. A local newspaper and TV channel covered the story.

I hope that other children with disabilities see me as a good example of what is possible. Today, I’m a disability activist, and someone who understands that partnerships are super important in everything, including developing inclusive policies where everyone is valued. We can’t make inclusion a reality unless we do it together with OPDs, governments, teachers, the private sectors and us – young people.

Overview of Module 5:

This module looks at engaging potential partners and allies – such as influencers, community leaders, youth groups and civil society organizations, including organizations of people with disabilities (OPDs) – to advocate for inclusive programmes and services and influence national and local policies, programmes and budgets to address disability-related stigma and discrimination.

The Ready unit of this module provides an overview of the role of advocacy in SBC, the role of partnerships in advocacy, different types of partnerships, and potential partners and allies for advocacy to counter disability-related stigma and discrimination.
The Steady unit provides practical considerations for identifying and engaging stakeholders for advocacy, along with some specific points on working with OPDs, using the CRPD and other legal frameworks, using data in advocacy, and monitoring and evaluating advocacy.
The Set unit includes case studies to inspire the design of locally appropriate projects.
The Go! unit offers tools for planning and delivery of advocacy activities.

Complementary SBC initiatives are addressed in other modules: Module 2: Empowering children and families, Module 3: Understanding and engaging communities and Module 4: Disability-inclusive services.

After reading this module, you should be able to:

Incorporate policy and systems-related advocacy into SBC programmes to increase inclusiveness and reduce stigma and discrimination.
Describe how advocacy activities support SBC approaches such as supportive public policies.
Select the right partners for your advocacy.