Commonwealth Youth Council set to launch I AM ABLE Campaign

The Leadership of the Commonwealth Youth council have made known their wish to launch a campaign targeted at  ameliorating the plight of young person living with disability.

This campaign will be launched at the event slated to mark the International Day of People with Disabilities. This was made known to odogwublog.com through the press statement released by the Association.

Below is the full Press statement;

Saturday 3rd December, International Day of People with Disabilities, will see the launch of the Commonwealth Youth Council’s campaign for youth with disabilities. The project, entitled I AM ABLE, will run for eighteen months and will seek to contribute towards the development of a more inclusive society by addressing the fact that, according to the CYC, people with disabilities are among the most marginalised groups within the Commonwealth. Through initiatives such as data collection, myth-busting and leadership training, the project will provide support and opportunities for young people with disabilities, including physical, mental and learning difficulties. The launch is set to take place this Saturday, December 3rd, in Mombasa, Kenya.

The event will place persons with disabilities at the forefront as they tell their personal stories of success and challenges. In addition, there will be a panel discussion and networking to facilitate discussion about the project and ensure that key issues are addressed. Chief among the initiatives covered by the campaign will be a focus on accurate data collection. In order to meet each of the Sustainable Development Goals, the CYC has resolved that it is crucial to compile accurate and up-to-date data on the circumstances of youth with disabilities in the Commonwealth. If the situation is to be improved, then we must have a clear idea of where we are and what must still be done so that the SDGs can be achieved.

 To this end, the CYC will be looking at empowering young people in data collection and reporting with a capacity building workshop. In addition, I AM ABLE will feature an online platform to provide information on various disabilities. Though unfounded, it is an unfortunate reality that many myths exist regarding the capabilities of persons with disabilities. This online platform will, therefore, address those myths by sharing accounts from persons with disabilities, posting success stories, developing documentary films, and including information such as types of disabilities, disability rights available and links to relevant research.

This platform will be directed mainly at potential employers in order to promote the economic empowerment of youth with disabilities. Furthermore, a central point of the CYC’s campaign will be leadership training for young people with disabilities. This training will develop the skills, confidence and networks of young people with disabilities so that they will be better able to share their stories, engage in the debates and decisions that affect their lives, and become leaders, be it in the community, national or international arena.

Following on from this, there will also be an awards scheme to recognise young leaders with disabilities who are already actively contributing to their society through volunteering, entrepreneurship or public service. While incredibly ambitious, this campaign is also undeniably important. It is crucial that youth with disabilities are provided with the opportunities that can help them fulfil their potential and empower them to become leaders in their communities and beyond. Thus, the CYC is hoping for support in attaining these goals, be it through participating in the campaign or spreading awareness of the project.

By June 2018, I AM ABLE will have hopefully helped to clear up the myths associated with disabilities, and empowered young people with disabilities throughout the Commonwealth.

 If you are interested in supporting this campaign at national or international level, please contact the Commonwealth Youth Council at [email protected] -Samantha Khan