Accessibility - Handicap International

The seven key components of accessibility projects
Handicap International improves the level of accessibility in the countries where it works
based on seven key project components:
/ information, awareness-raising and advocacy work
/ stakeholder training
/ sharing good practices
/ improving / implementing laws and technical standards
/ carrying out work to create examples of improved accessibility
/ carrying out local diagnosis
/ developing local plans to improve the accessibility of existing structures
It should be noted that these components are interdependent and effective action on
accessibility should combine work on all these different aspects. The capitalization /
experience sharing / knowledge production process should also be used when writing up
the project.
Component1
Information, Awareness-Raising, Advocacy
This is the first level on which action should
be taken at national and local level. It should
promote collective awareness of the importance
of accessibility, as part of the wider
picture concerning the recognition and respect
of the rights of people with disabilities.
Accessibility should not be seen as a constraint;
a set of rules which must be adhered
to, but rather as social added value
which, when it forms an integral part of new
building projects from the outset, does not
generate additional costs.
This awareness-raising should make it possible
to legitimize the issue in the eyes of
the stakeholders concerned, or to initiate
discussion about how this right translates
in practical terms. Furthermore, whilst some
of the work required to improve accessibility
does indeed require significant levels of
investment, other initiatives can be implemented
directly, both in communal and individual
areas, by means of low-cost modifications.
Awareness-raising should therefore
encourage accessibility initiatives initiated
by local stakeholders.
Information and awareness-raising should
target very diverse audiences, and in particular:
- Civil Society, and in particular local organizations,
national or international NGOs,
- Professionals or future professionals,
notably practicing architects, engineers,
technicians, project managers or students
in these fields,
- Decision-makers, notably the national and
local authorities who define and implement
accessibility policies.
A wide variety of communication materials
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