Development for All: Towards a Disability-Inclusive Australian Aid Program
Most of the one billion persons with disability live in the Global South. Development aid plays a key role in improving their daily lives. Among the countries who give the most official development assistance, about 134 billion USD in 2011, only a few have mainstreamed disability into their development programming. Australia is one of those few.
Recognised by the Zero Project as an ‘Innovative Policy on Accessibility‘ in 2014, Australia’s Development for All: Towards a Disability-Inclusive Australian Aid Program supports people with disabilities to improve the quality of their lives through accessing the same opportunities for participation, contribution, decision making, and social and economic well-being as others. By including people with disability in the development process, the strategy recognises their potential, values and respects their contributions and perspectives, honours their dignity and responds effectively to their needs.
Australia’s aid program is now managed by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and Development for All is integral to Australia’s sustainable development operations in helping to improve the wellbeing of some of the world’s poorest people.