Working for change 23
But access is about more than physical things such as ramps. Accessibility also
means everyone can communicate and understand what is happening. Then a
woman with a disability can do more things for herself and more people will see
that disability is a natural part of life. When disabled women are valuable members
of the community, the community will start thinking differently about disability.
Governments must provide the resources necessary to make transportation
systems, buildings, public programs and facilities easy to use for everyone,
including women with disabilities. Some governments penalize those who refuse to
cooperate.
Here are examples
of how women with
disabilities have made
changes in their
communities.
Getting the government to make changes
After taking part in a workshop on barrier-free access, the Lao Disabled
Women’s Development Center produced a videotape about barrier-free
access for people with disabilities. They started talking to the different
government sectors about facilitating
participation of people with
disabilities in society. Their
ideas were approved by
the Prime Minister’s
office, the ministries
of communication,
transportation, post and
construction, labor and
social welfare, and foreign
affairs. They were able to
get funds to construct ramps
at 47 places in the capital
city, Vientiane.
A Health Handbook for Women with Disabilities 2007