USAID Disability Publications
As the principal U.S. agency responsible for
extending humanitarian and development assistance abroad, USAID has long been
a champion of equitable growth and opportunity. In September
1997, USAID adopted a policy, which states that
USAID will not discriminate against persons with disabilities
(PWDs) and will work to ensure the inclusion of PWDs in USAID-funded
programs and activities. The policy charges USAID missions
to
lead collaborative in-country efforts to end discrimination
against and promote equal opportunity for persons with disabilities.
The policy also calls on the Agency
to produce regular reports on its efforts to implement its
policy. The Agency's first four bi-annual reports reflect
its growing awareness of
disability issues and describe the increasing number of Agency
activities that address
the needs of PWDs, as well as revealing challenges
that the Agency faced in meeting its objectives. In particular,
The Fourth
Report on the Implementation of USAID Disability Policy served
as a catalyst to action. Since its publication, the Agency
has looked critically at its own processes and
has worked with its partners in the development community
to promote inclusive practices.
The Fifth Report on the Implementation of USAID Disability
Policy describes USAID missions' redoubled efforts
to integrate people with disabilities into
their programs and to develop more specific programs
that promote equality for and empowerment of people with
disabilities. The report further shows that the Agency
remains committed to serving as an international leader
in the area of inclusive development and to working proactively
to remove barriers that may limit the full participation
of people with disabilities in family, community, and society.
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