Disability and Development Partners

06/09/2025

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/sep/06/disabled-man-arrested-palestine-action-protest-police

Mike Higgins, who is 62, blind and uses a wheelchair, was one of 532 arrested at largest demo since group proscribed

08/08/2025

https://ddpuk.org/summer-newsletter-2025/

Updates from DDP and our partners in August 2025.

31/07/2025

The latest Disability Debrief bulletin curates disability news from 37 countries, including the apocalyptic conditions in Gaza. https://www.disabilitydebrief.org/debrief/they-burned-my-heart/

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25/07/2025

🐣 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐋𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬 🕊

"They called me a ‘burden’, a ‘witch’ but I proved I’m not that at all. With support, I found strength. With skills, I found purpose. I earn, I speak, I dream this is my life and I’m living it with pride." - Manju Chaudhary

Read more: https://koshish.org.np/stories/readmore/The-Knot-That-Did-Not-Heal

13/06/2025

An interesting article on professionalization and the disability movement, relevant to many other areas of life and action:

The risks professionalisation poses to an authentic disability movement

29/05/2025

On 22 May we (Adam, Ebinipere, Dave and Ayoola) had an atypical evening out: at the Innovation and Impact Awards ceremony, held in the University of East Anglia's Enterprise Centre.

Our documentary Made for More - starring Dave as himself, expertly filmed by Ayoola and produced by Ebi and DDP - had been nominated, then shortlisted for one of the awards.

The film addresses challenges faced by disabled people in the workplace: discrimination, accessibility barriers, and the need for inclusive environments.

Dave explores these issues with reference to his own journey: from a life-changing accident in his native Zimbabwe, via difficult employment experiences in London, development studies at UEA, self-employment and charity work in Norfolk, where he is Chair of Inclusive Norwich and a much-valued DDP trustee.

We didn't win our category, but were kindly provided with a finalist's trophy, very fancy certificates, bowls of delicious tofu, and high-quality photos of a memorable occasion.

15/05/2025

At just 12, Zeyneba lost both her parents in interethnic conflict in Ethiopia's Oromia region. With her siblings, she walked for days—hungry, scared and grieving—until they found refuge in the Amhara region.

Life at the Mekane-Eyesus IDP camp was hard. Illness struck, and the doctor linked it to trauma and mental stress. But things began to change when our partner Berhan Lehetsanat (BL) stepped in.

With psychosocial support, equipment for school, food assistance and medical care, Zeyneba gradually regained her health, stability and hope for the future. “With the support I received, I’m back in school - and I want to become a doctor,” she says.

We would like to express our gratitude to the Educational Opportunity Foundation for funding this two-year DDP/BL project.

15/05/2025

It's worrying to think how much more death, disabling injury, distress and indifference is coming for migrant workers and their families.

The opportunity to make money in the Gulf attracts thousands of men from Nepal’s poorest regions, but for the families of those who die in workplace accidents, compensation can be hard to come by

09/05/2025

https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2025/may/09/nepal-disaster-risk-resilience-infrastructure-climate-crisis-extreme-weather-aid-funding

Despite attempts to build resilience by improving infrastructure and first response, extreme weather events and US aid cuts have left many feeling vulnerable

02/05/2025

Harka Bahadur (50) and his five siblings grew up subsistence farming alongside their parents in Dhading District, central Nepal. He was 21 when he and Shantimaya got married and they started to build a simple, independent life, sustained by agriculture. They had two sons.

In the devastating earthquake of 2015, Harka sustained severe injuries when their house collapsed, leaving him permanently disabled. Even after extensive treatment, he was unable to regain full mobility and now relies on crutches to get around.

But the family isn't alone: they joined a self-help group established by our partner DWA (Disabled Welfare Association) and Shantimaya is active as the group's Treasurer. With livelihood support provided our project, she and Harka invested in some calves, which have brought new optimism about their future and financial security.

17/04/2025

Since 2023 our Ethiopian partner Berhan Lehetsanat (BL) has been supporting displaced and disabled children from Oromia living in an IDP settlement in the Amhara region, enabling them to continue their education.

Zubair (7) was born with cerebral palsy. His mother became his carer, unable to leave home or work. Then in 2019 his treatment was cut short when conflict in Oromia closed the road to the hospital.

“Many people died," she says. "I was driven from my home with my disabled child, and we eventually arrived in Amhara in September 2020, hungry, thirsty and on foot.”

Zubair's mother took him to BL, which specializes in working with disabled children and their families. "Counselling provided by BL's childcare workers helped me understand that my child is no less than anyone else, and food assistance came as a huge relief."

"Before, Zubair could not get around unless he was carried. But now, with medical support and a wheelchair, he can move around the house. I am much less tired, and I can work to support and feed him. This is a big change for me.”

Regular visits by BL's social worker, psychosocial support, safe spaces, and other forms of support from this project have brought positive changes for Zubair, and his mother's morale.

With thanks to the Educational Opportunity Foundation which funded this 2-year DDP/BL project.

14/04/2025