Global Information Village
Providing information as a catalyst of freedom and opportunity for people with disabilities on a global basis.
Global Information Village Mission
Individuals with lifelong disabilities are often isolated from information, life experiences, the community, and even each other. We believe, that if given a proper forum and resources, people impacted by disability could communicate with one another, share ideas and solutions, and ultimately, together, conquer the problems they have been facing, too often alone, for many decades.
It is our mission, via our Global Information Village to provide individuals with lifelong disabilities, throughout the world, increased access to the information and resources that can empower them towards greater self-confidence, help them discover a sense of purpose, and enable them to seek out opportunities to improve their lives.
Global Information Village Goals
NHU will utilize a global team of in-country reporters to develop and maintain an online information network that will:
Provide a country-by-country status of disabled citizens to foster an environment for change within that country
Highlight existing disability-related laws, practices, and resources that are aimed at improving the status of disabled citizens within each identified country
Celebrate the efforts of individuals and organizations working to improve the status of disabled citizens worldwide
Provide a network for advocacy and outreach among disabled citizens and their supporters
A Global Outlook on Disability
- 10 percent of the World's population, or 650 million people, live with a disability
- 80 percent of persons with disabilities live in developing countries
- 20 percent of the World's poorest people have a disability, and tend to be regarded as the most disadvantaged in their own communities
- Women with disabilities are multiply disadvantaged and experience exclusion on account of both gender and disability
- A small 2004 survey in India found that nearly all women and girls with disabilities were beaten at home
- Mortality rates for children with disabilities are as high as 80 percent in countries where the under-five mortality rate has decreased to below 20 percent. This number may indicate practices to "weed-out" children with disabilities.
- 90 percent of children with disabilities in developing countries do not attend school
- The global literacy rate for adults with disabilities is as low as 3 percent
- Only 45 countries (of 193) have anti-discrimination and other disability-specific laws.
International Disability Resources
- Ability Together is a website designed to educate children on the injustices faced by people with disabilities throughout the world. The site features personal stories from disabled children in developing countries, quizzes, and games; all designed to bring a greater awareness and understanding of disability. [Version Française / Nederlandstalige Versie]
- Global Partnership for Disability and Development (GPDD) works to increase the ability of local networks of disability and development organizations to improve their development efforts. GPDD Member Organizations work in developing countries to improve the social, educational, and economic participation of individuals with disabilities and their families and advance their self-sufficiency.
- Handicap International currently has 240 programs in nearly 60 countries throughout the World. In the event of an emergency, natural disaster or conflict, Handicap International gives assistance and aid to vulnerable groups, including the disabled. They also promote access to basic rights for disabled people through campaigns for greater inclusion of disabled people in development programs and policies on both a national and an international level. [Version Française]
- Inclusion International is a global federation of family-based organizations advocating for the human rights of people with intellectual disabilities worldwide. They represent more than 200 Member Organizations in 115 countries throughout five regions: Middle East and North Africa, Europe, Africa and the Indian Ocean, the Americas, and Asia Pacific. Priority areas include, inclusive education, poverty reduction, children and families, UN Disability Convention, human rights and self-advocacy. [Français / Español]
- Source is an international online information support center designed to strengthen the use and impact of information among individuals and organisations working in health, disability and development worldwide. Information and resources are offered on such topics as disability inclusion, mother and child health, early childhood development, and much more. They offer a unique collection of approximately 25,000 health and disability information resources, including books, journals, manuals, reports, posters, CD-ROMs, websites and organisations.
- The World Bank: Disability provides a wealth of data and information concerning the prevelance of disability on a global scale.
- United Nations Enable promotes the International Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, a disability rights instrument designed to shift global attitudes of viewing people with disabilities as "charity cases" to valuable, productive members of society.
If you have questions or ideas, information and solutions that you would like to share with us, contact us by e-mail at: horizons@new-horizons.org or to use our NHU E-Mail Form or NHU Community Forum, click the links below.
© Copyright 2010, New Horizons Un-Limited Inc.
[Updated February 28, 2010]
NHU has no liability for content or goods on the Internet.
New Horizons Un-Limited Inc.