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DISABILITY ACCESSIBILITY TRAINING TO ENHANCE THE CAPACITY OF TECHNICAL OFFICERS IN THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE IN BADULLA DISTRICT

 The objective of the initiative is to develop the capacity of #local #authorities and raise awareness among #technical #officers, Officials in the decision-making process, #Engineers, #Architects, and Officials in the Planning Divisions. It is expected that this intervention will ensure that people with disabilities can access all public buildings and make use of the facilities inside those buildings as Regulations are intended to be accomplished.

The team from EFC led by #Manique Gunaratne which included persons with diverse #disabilities conducted the Badulla 2 training workshop at the #Pelgahathanna Training Centre in #Badulla district, in #Uva Province in October 2022.

The project is a part of the #European #Union’s STRIDE (Strengthening Transformation, Reconciliation, and Inclusive Democratic Engagement) programme focused on strengthening the capacities of #local #government #authorities to be #inclusive, responsive, and accountable, and improve service delivery.

Together with the Capacity Development of Local Governments (CDLG) Project of United Nations Development Programme (#UNDP) and The Employers’ Federation of Ceylon (EFC), implemented this project on #Disability #accessibility audit and enhancing the capacity of technical officers in the local government structure. 

The EFC is the representative employers’ Organisation in Sri Lanka on social issues. It has a membership of 680 plus member Companies. Formed in 1929, it was the first Organisation to register under the Trade Unions Ordinance and is the principal Trade Union representing employers. The EFC, with funding from the #ILO, developed the Employers’ Network on Disability to facilitate employment and training opportunities in the Private Sector for jobseekers with disabilities, which was officially launched in the year 1999. 

The “Disability Accessibility” project implemented by The Employers’ Federation of Ceylon, Specialised Training & #Disability Resource Centre is a part of an initiative supported under the Capacity Development of Local Governments (CDLG) project implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Sri Lanka with the financial assistance of the European Union (#EU). 

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.

The importance of this workshop was that all resource people were people with disabilities. Manique Gunaratne conducted the session on “Technical specifications on accessibility” and Anil Seneviratne conducted the session on “law and access”. People with physical disabilities, hearing impaired persons and vision impaired persons spoke on the barriers faced by persons with disabilities and possible solutions.

Participants with non-disabilities got the opportunity to experience using a wheelchair, walking with a white cane, walking blind folded, wearing socks and shoes without using hands and communicating in sign language. 

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

United Nations Development Programme (#UNDP) together with the Employers’ Federation of Ceylon (EFC) have designed a series of awareness programmes to conduct in selected 12 districts to make the technical, senior staff and members of the Local Government Authorities to sensitize on #accessibility for Persons with Disabilities.

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.

The overall objective of the CDLG project is to strengthen the capacities of LAs to be inclusive, responsive, and accountable and be able to plan, enhance resilience, and deliver better services.


Group of people standing indoors in a well-lit room with two windows at the back. There are fifteen men and five women, all dressed in formal and semi-formal attire. Some women are wearing sarees with different patterns and colors, while the men are mostly in shirts and trousers. Behind them is a black bookshelf with a few books and files. There are two banners on either side of the room, displaying logos and text. The atmosphere appears professional, suggesting this could be a seminar, workshop, or formal gathering.

Conference room scene with a man standing at a podium giving a presentation. The man holds a microphone and is looking at a projected slide on the wall to his left. A woman is seated at a table to the left, working on a laptop, with water bottles and other materials on the table. The room has empty desks and chairs arranged for an audience, and there are large windows with curtains letting in natural light. A ceiling fan is visible and a standing banner with text is placed near the podium. A whiteboard is also present. The environment appears to be a formal or educational setting, such as a seminar or workshop.

Group of adults sitting on chairs in a room, participating in what seems to be an activity or exercise. Two people (one man on the left and one woman on the right) are trying to put on socks using only their feet, with socks partially on their toes. The man has removed his shoes, and the woman is wearing a purple sari and sandals. Three others are standing or sitting in the background, one of whom appears to be blindfolded. The room has cream-colored walls, a window with curtains, and some plastic water bottles on the floor. The mood appears to be interactive, possibly part of a training session or workshop.

Classroom or seminar room scene with several adults seated at desks, some engaged in listening while one man stands and appears to be speaking or presenting. The room has rows of wooden desks with black chairs, pale yellow walls, windows with yellow curtains, and ceiling fans. There are bottles of water and papers on the desks. In the background, a banner with the word "STRIDE" is visible. The mood is focused, and the setting suggests a workshop, meeting, or training session.


#Manique Gunaratne

Vice Chair Person – South Asian Disability Forum


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