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During the last decade the Government in Peru has experienced some positive changes: most importantly the rebuilding of the economy that has allowed Peru to return into the international financial market and peace within the country.As a result of this, favorable changes are being created for an economical and social development that is expected to give a strong foundation for the next millennium.
The population of Peru is about 24 million people with an estimate of 5 million people with disabilities.APRODDIS is advocating for this important group of human beings to have a better quality of life.
As Peru approaches the new Presidential term, which starts in July 2000 and because of the above mentioned advocacy of our organization, APRODDIS is preparing a project that would include people with disabilities to be an important part of the political agenda for the next President.As the voting process begins in April 2000, APRODDIS is preparing a political agenda which would offer disabled people the opportunity to be better informed about the political process and the importance of voting.
Political Agenda Project Goals:
1.Develop a broad coalition of voters with disabilities and their families who are committed to raise public recognition of disability issues and will support a political agenda to address those issues.This coalition would include current organizations, schools and programs that work with people with disabilities.
a.Prepare public forums that would create education and awareness and gather information on disability topics for the Political Agenda.This would include surveys and workshops that would allow for people to share their experiences, needs and concerns for people with disabilities in Peru.
b.Identify the current strengths and weaknesses of the Laws within Peru already in place for people with disabilities.This includes outlining current Rights and Laws that people with disabilities have in other countries throughout the world and what would be a recommended plan of action for Peru to pursue.
2.As a service to the various political parties and to inform the members of the coalition about the political process, we will hold a series of forums where candidates will be invited to come and discuss our agenda and where they will be asked to pledge support for that agenda.
1) APRODDIS intends to develop a central clearinghouse of organizations, schools and programs that work with people with disabilities.
Currently there is no centralized system in place for Peruvians to turn to when they have a question about a disability or need to learn more information about disabilities.We would like to have the information made available to the public on the Internet and in a catalog format.In addition this would serve as a central point for alerting Peruvians with disabilities and those interested in disability related issues to receive notices, updates and concerns about disability related issues in Peru.
The materials could be made available in print to those who do not have the ability to get the information on line.We would make available in all formats. (i.e. braille, large print, Quechua)
2) APRODDIS would like to develop a specialized team to evaluate the current Laws in Peru and how they support people with disabilities.
The government recently passed a new Law No. 27050 for people with disabilities which took effect on July 25, 1999.At the same time Peru has agreed with and signed the Inter-American Convention on the elimination of all forms of discrimination against people with disabilities.As a result, APRODDIS wants to develop a specialized team to evaluate the current Peruvian laws and how they relate to people with disabilities.
As the development of resources and programs could be directed mostly towards prevention and rehabilitation, but not to provide programs of investment or encouragement within the private sector in order to eliminate barriers of architectural design in the workforce or the accessibility to the current telecommunications services, which would allow people with disabilities to become integrated with society.In summary, the composition of the Law 27050 does not guarantee that it will be a legal framework for giving to satisfy the rights of people with disabilities.
We would like to research and evaluate this law and other laws in Peru and its application for people with disabilities.In addition we would like to explore what is available in other countries for people with disabilities, and what the recommended plan of action should be for people with disabilities in Peru.
3) APRODDIS would like to conduct a series of public forum to educate the community about the Political process.
We would like to educate the general public about the importance of voting for the best political candidate that will support the rights of people with disabilities, and collect issues and concerns that people that they have.
In promoting these activities APRODDIS looks forward to the potential outcomes, which would lead to better quality lifestyles for people with disabilities and their families.
APRODDIS is seeking donations, grants or in-kind gifts that would allow for this political agenda to take place.Please be in touch with us to discuss any financial contributions, partnership or information that you may have to accomplish these goals.
Details: Pedro Chavez, President APRODIS: aproddis@dhl.com.pe or aproddis@yahoo.com