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What is your message for world poverty day on the inclusion of persons with disabilities?
For the future of people with disabilities in poor countries it is very important that
we give support so that they can really live with dignity, that they get the respect they
deserve and the empathy they need. That we exchange our opinions with them and that we
respect their needs. That we help them to live independently. They are part of our society
and they should live like that. Inclusion is so important, as I see it.
Hello, my name is Christina Wurzinger from the umbrella organisation of the Austrian
disability associations. I’m going to answer some questions.
Why do persons with disabilities have to be included in the fight against poverty in your
opinion? If you want to fight poverty you have to take
a look at those who are most affected by it. That is to say, you have to take a look at
persons with disabilities and what you can improve about their situation. There is a
very strong interrelation between poverty and disability. They go hand in hand. This
is shown by various statistics, reports and recently by the World Disability Report from
the World Bank and the World Health Organisation. If you could change one thing towards a more
inclusive world, what would it be? If I could change one thing, I would end all
the stereotypes about persons with disabilities. Because I think social barriers are the main
obstacle to real inclusion of persons with disabilities. This would include also a strong
empowerment strategy, awareness raising campaigns and so on. That’s what I would do.
Gulliver, what is your message for the world poverty day about the inclusion of persons
with disabilities? On the World Poverty Day, I would say: I call
upon all governments, the world community, NGOs, to work alongside the people with disabilities
and especially involving them in development work in order to fight poverty and reduce
its impact, especially on people with disabilities. Thank you!