The Child Advocacy Network of Disability Organizations (CAN DO), has published a child friendly version of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and a special website for the network, at an event held today to mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities observed annually by the United Nations. The materials were launched by Chief Guest, H. E. Madam Fathimath Ibrahim, First Lady of the Maldives.
The website inaugurated today (www.arc.org.mv/CANDO) will be the country’s first website on disabilities. It contains detailed information on common types of disabilities in the Maldives, and the services available for persons with disabilities, from relevant government authorities as well as from the NGOs working in this field.
The child friendly version of the CRPD developed by Care Society in association with ARC made possible by the generous donations from the public, through funds raised from the CAN DO Community Challenge 2014. CAN DO hopes that this version of the CRPD will contribute to raising awareness on the rights of children with disabilities and help combat stereotypes and prejudices that are often seen in the community.
The inspirational video that was also screened at today’s ceremony, was developed in partnership with the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China to inspire and support children with disabilities to learn, contribute and participate in all Speaking at the event, ARC’s Executive Director Ms. Zenysha Shaheed Zaki, expressed hope that the child friendly version of the CRPD will be used effectively by parents, teachers, as well as the wider community to increase awareness on the rights of children with disabilities. The Chief Guest, H. E. Madam Fathimath Ibrahim, expressed sincere appreciation to all NGOs working towards protecting the rights of children with disabilities and commended CAN DO’s commitment and concerted efforts to make a marked improvement in the lives of children with disabilities. Speaking at the event, the Executive Director of Care Society, Ms. Naushan Muhaimin stressed that despite the many challenges faced by NGOs, Care Society’s role in promoting the rights of children with disabilities is most remarkable.
CAN DO is a network established by ARC that work towards full implementation of rights of children with disabilities. In addition to ARC, founding members of CAN DO include Association for Disability and Development (ADD), Beautiful Eyes Down Syndrome Association, Blind and Visually Impaired Association of Maldives, Care Society, Maldives Autism Association, Maldives Deaf Association (MDA) and Maldives Association of Physical Disables (MAPD).
CAN DO aims to work together to implement the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and the Maldives Disability Act, so that every child with disabilities in the country can live with full rights and dignity and are provided with opportunities to realize his or her full potential.