22 chapter 1: Disability and the community
Education
Education is very important for girls with
Disabled girls
disabilities, including education in sign
language and Braille or audio cassettes, for
girls who are deaf, or blind.
In many poor countries, if
have fewer
opportunities to
go to school than
disabled boys.
Knowing how to
read and write
makes it possible for
me to earn a living
disabled girls are not able to go
to school and get an education,
they may end up begging to
survive when they are adults.
with dignity.
It can make a big difference when a whole
community works for educational rights for people
with disabilities.
Community-based groups can discuss problems
and encourage everyone, including other children, to
welcome and respect girls with disabilities. They can
arrange opportunities for early childhood education,
or access government grants, or help in other ways.
With education, girls with disabilities can support
and enrich their communities.
Make communities accessible for everyone
All around the world, women with disabilities are organizing to help make clinics,
schools, markets, city streets, buses, and communities more accessible for people
with disabilities.
Communities can make
sure buildings and roads are
accessible when they are first
built rather than changing
them later. This way all public
facilities are as usable as possible
by as many people as possible
regardless of age, ability, or
situation. They will serve people
who are young or old, with
excellent or limited abilities, in
ideal or difficult circumstances
(see pages 38 to 40).
I feel helpless. I always
have to rely on other
people to help me leave
the house. If there was
a ramp down from our
house and ramps to enter
public buildings I could get
around on my own. I could
go out when I want, and I
would not always have to
wait for other people.
A Health Handbook for Women with Disabilities 2007