Limited mobility

As I mentioned before, the poor Lego elf isn't the same as the other Lego figures. He can't walk or sit, only stand or lie down. Life can't be easy for him, thankfully Grannie looks after him well. Sadly, for all this is a joke, there are around 1 billion people in the world living with a disability, which is not at all funny.

The global community is meeting in New York at the moment to look at what will replace the Millennium Development Goals when they reach their stated end point of 2015. While they have done a lot of good, there is a long way still to go, and some areas where more should already have been being done. A High Level Panel report came out earlier this year (the 5 main points of which are nicely summarised in a wee animation here). It remains to be seen what the global political leaders will adopt from the proposals, of course, and most of us in the International Development community can point to things we wish were there. However, there are several very positive things in the report, and one of the key things we at The Leprosy Mission are pleased to see included is the first priority - 'Leave no-one behind'. I was encouraged to read that yesterday the UK signed the 2013 Manhattan Declaration on Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities:

"The international community is on the way to elaborating a new international development framework beyond 2015. This is a great opportunity to ensure that national development processes supported by international cooperation aim towards inclusive societies and address discrimination and exclusion. We hereby stress the importance of ensuring accessibility for and inclusion of persons with disabilities in all aspects of development and of giving due consideration to all persons with disabilities and other marginalised groups in the emerging post-2015 United Nations development agenda"

My hope and prayer is that we all play our part to make sure that it's not just words on a page, but a daily reality for the more than 1 billion people living with disabilities. Here are some interesting stats/statements for you:

Many of us become disabled at some point in our lives. We don’t expect to lose our basic rights.

Disabled children are 3 or 4 times more likely to be victims of violence.

Disabled women & girls are routinely excluded from help to prevent violence.

MDGs exclude 800 million people from aid work. Ignoring disability jeopardizes the fight against poverty.

Excluding disabled people from the work force means countries lose up to 7% of GDP

Paralympians, comedians, singers say 1bn people are being ignored.

PS I back blippedfor yesterday - a nice Glasgow skyline