Access for all at Irakkamam pradeshiya sabha

The object of forming the Employers’ Network on Disability is to link the business community and the organizations dealing with disability issues to facilitate mainstreaming its work.

The Capacity Development for Local Governments (CDLG) Project of UNDP Sri Lanka is part of larger efforts by the Government of Sri Lanka to strengthen the local governance system in the country.

These efforts are supported by the European Union, and the World Bank.

Disability inclusion is one of the key strategic priorities for UNDP Sri Lanka in keeping with the commitment of UNDP globally and the new initiatives of disability inclusion strategy and their commitment to leave no one behind.

A team led by Manique Gunaratne did a disability accessibility audit and a advocacy group discussion with persons with disabilities belonging to Irakkamam Pradeshiya Sabha, and staff members (persons with non-disabilities) of the Pradeshiya Sabha on how to have an inclusive approach when providing services which already exists at the Irakkamam Pradeshiya Sabha in  Ampara district in Eastern Province in October 2022.

UNDP acknowledges the fact that disability is a crosscutting issue which needs multi-stakeholder intervention including local government authorities.

Local Governments play a vital role in the lives of people with disabilities because of their broad mandate.

Unlike most state government institutions, Local Governments are multi-functional, with extensive responsibilities and activities across property, community, and human service areas and, in addition, have the capacity to make policy level decisions at the local level.

All these functions and decisions directly or indirectly impact upon the quality of life of the people with disabilities who live, work, and socialize in their local communities.

Therefore, CDLG through this initiative seeks to enhance the internal capacity of local authorities to adhere to disability accessibility regulations in Sri Lanka and raise the awareness on the importance of disability inclusive accessibility to local level services.

This initiative seeks to conduct accessibility audits in selected local government authority office premises amongst other activities.

We are confident that this initiative promoted by the UNDP will improve the accessibility of persons with disabilities to local governance.

 

Manique Gunaratne

Member of the Disability Accessibility Gazette Committee of Sri Lanka