CBM Global and World Blind Union join forces on Accessibility

News | April 22, 2021

CBM Global and the World Blind Union (WBU) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) focused on how both organisations can work together to ensure the foundational right of accessibility is in place. Without accessibility, the rights of persons with disabilities cannot be recognised.

The partnership between CBM Global and WBU builds on a long history of collaboration and most recently it has grown to include working closely on a number of shared objectives, including advocacy for inclusive and accessible cities, resource development on accessibility and capacity building on accessibility. The MoU covers a range of areas including work on SDGs, Human rights, Marrakesh Treaty and the WBU advocacy knowledge and learning platform. Much of this work is supported by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) through CBM Switzerland.

WBU’s CEO, Jose Viera states:  Many things are changing around us these days, and how OPDs and INGOs work together is one of them. WBU and CBM Global have been working together to ensure that our collaboration has persons with disabilities and their representative organizations in the centre. I believe this cooperation model that the 2 organisations have agreed to use, is not only the right thing to do but it reflects the CRPD principles. There is still much more to learn from each other and understand better how we will achieve the leave no one behind commitments of the SDGs. We must ensure our work can meaningfully change the life of our brothers and sisters around the world.

The focus of the partnership for the coming 2 years will be the promotion of Accessibility Go, the joint resource developed by World Blind Union and CBM Global. CBM Global in partnership with WBU will be rolling out an action plan across its various offices to progressively achieve the accessibility commitments, as outlined in Accessibility Go in 2022 and beyond.

David Bainbridge, Executive Director of CBM Global highlighted the importance of the collaboration on this important resource and overall partnership stating that “the partnership with WBU is critical for CBM Global; central to our values as an organisation is partnering with organisations of persons with disabilities to effect change. WBU brings the technical expertise and know-how that supports our organisational commitment to accessibility. Through partnering together, we’ll contribute to the growing momentum on ensuring accessibility is realised as a right for persons with disabilities.”

The outcomes from this shared working approach between both organisations will ensure that persons with disabilities are not left behind in development and humanitarian action.

Main Image: Amiron, from Bangaldesh (right, orange shirt), with her mother at the entrance of their home.

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