State of the World's Children 2013 - Unicef
State of the World's Children 2013 - Unicef
State of the World's Children 2013 - Unicef
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hierarchy and traditional expectations <strong>of</strong> gender,<br />
so <strong>the</strong> routine absence, misrepresentation or<br />
stereotyping <strong>of</strong> people with disabilities creates<br />
and reinforces social prejudices and leads to <strong>the</strong><br />
underestimation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> roles and place <strong>of</strong> people<br />
with disabilities in society.<br />
Similarly, participation in social activities helps<br />
to promote a positive view <strong>of</strong> disability. Sport, in<br />
particular, has helped overcome many societal<br />
prejudices. Physical activity can be a powerful<br />
means <strong>of</strong> promoting respect – it is inspirational<br />
to see a child surmount <strong>the</strong> physical and psychological<br />
barriers to participation, including lack<br />
<strong>of</strong> encouragement and support or limited adaptive<br />
equipment. In one study, physically active<br />
children with disabilities were rated as more<br />
competent than <strong>the</strong>ir non-disabled counterparts. 11<br />
However, care must be taken not to create an<br />
artificial atmosphere in which children with disabilities<br />
who demonstrate physical heroism are<br />
deemed worthy and those who do not are made<br />
to feel inferior.<br />
Sport has also been helpful in campaigns to<br />
reduce stigma. Athletes with disabilities are<br />
<strong>of</strong>ten among <strong>the</strong> most recognized representatives<br />
<strong>of</strong> people with disabilities, and many use<br />
such platforms as <strong>the</strong> Paralympics and Special<br />
Olympics to campaign and to become role<br />
models for children with physical or intellectual<br />
impairments. Moreover, experiences in Bosnia<br />
and Herzegovina, <strong>the</strong> Lao People’s Democratic<br />
Republic, Malaysia and <strong>the</strong> Russian Federation<br />
show that access to sport and recreation is not<br />
only <strong>of</strong> direct benefit to children with disabilities<br />
but also helps to raise <strong>the</strong>ir standing in <strong>the</strong> community<br />
as <strong>the</strong>y are seen to participate alongside<br />
o<strong>the</strong>r children in activities valued by society. 12<br />
Encouraging children with disabilities to take<br />
part in sport and recreation in company with all<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir peers is more than a matter <strong>of</strong> changing<br />
attitudes. It is a right and a specific requirement<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> CRPD, which instructs <strong>State</strong>s parties to<br />
“ensure that children with disabilities have equal<br />
access with o<strong>the</strong>r children to participation in play,<br />
It’s about ability<br />
Montenegro’s ‘It’s About Ability’ campaign was<br />
launched in September 2010 and has had an impact on<br />
<strong>the</strong> public’s knowledge <strong>of</strong> and attitudes and practices<br />
towards children with disabilities. The campaign brings<br />
toge<strong>the</strong>r a broad coalition <strong>of</strong> 100 national and international<br />
organizations ranging from <strong>the</strong> Government<br />
<strong>of</strong> Montenegro to <strong>the</strong> European Union, <strong>the</strong> Council <strong>of</strong><br />
Europe, <strong>the</strong> Organization for Security and Co-operation<br />
in Europe, United Nations agencies, embassies, associations<br />
<strong>of</strong> parents <strong>of</strong> children with disabilities, print<br />
and electronic media, <strong>the</strong> private sector, local <strong>of</strong>ficials<br />
and children with and without disabilities. One <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
campaign’s strategies involved <strong>the</strong> use <strong>of</strong> billboards all<br />
over <strong>the</strong> country to show children with disabilities as<br />
active members <strong>of</strong> society, portraying <strong>the</strong>m as athletes,<br />
friends, musicians, dancers, students, daughters, sons,<br />
bro<strong>the</strong>rs and sisters.<br />
A November 2011 survey measuring <strong>the</strong> impact <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
campaign reported that it contributed to an 18 per<br />
cent increase in <strong>the</strong> number <strong>of</strong> people who consider<br />
children with disabilities as equal members <strong>of</strong> society.<br />
Behaviour toward children with disabilities and<br />
communication between <strong>the</strong>m and people without<br />
disabilities were also seen to improve.<br />
recreation and leisure and sporting activities,<br />
including those activities in <strong>the</strong> school system.”<br />
Supporting children and<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir families<br />
The CRPD underlines <strong>the</strong> role <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> family as <strong>the</strong><br />
natural unit <strong>of</strong> society and <strong>the</strong> role <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>State</strong><br />
in supporting <strong>the</strong> family. It says that “persons<br />
with disabilities and <strong>the</strong>ir family members should<br />
receive <strong>the</strong> necessary protection and assistance<br />
to enable families to contribute towards <strong>the</strong> full<br />
and equal enjoyment <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> rights <strong>of</strong> persons<br />
with disabilities.” 13<br />
The process <strong>of</strong> fulfilling <strong>the</strong> rights <strong>of</strong> a child with<br />
a disability – <strong>of</strong> including that child in community<br />
FUNDAMENTALS OF INCLUSION<br />
13