Foundation for the CIVIC rights of persons with disabilities FCRPD is a legally registered nonprofit/charity organization that stands to advocate for the rights to person who disabilities through the media and community outreach as well as offering assistance in this form on human guides. The organization consist of both persons with and without disabilities. We train our volunteers on how to be good human guides in guiding persons with disabilities to ensure accessibility. Our aim is training more volunteers who will be sent to different parts of the country to enlighten the people on the rights of persons with disabilities and also sending them to national cerebrations and programs to aid the movements of persons with disabilities. The foundation also aimed standing for persons with disabilities in courts if their rights are violated.
THE FOUNDATION OF CIVIC RIGHTS OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES ( FCRPD) ORGANIZED A SYMPOSIUM IN COMMEMORATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL DEAF AWARENESS WEEK.
the last week of every September is globally set aside as a very important week. This is the week recognized as the international Deaf awareness week, where issues related to persons with deaf and hard of hearing are discussed. As the globe celebrates this week, The foundation for the civic rights of persons with disabilities FCRPD is never an exception in commemorating this noble and great event. As a means of showing solidarity with the deaf community and advocating for all persons with disabilities, it is incumbent upon the foundation to also take part in recognising the week.
In it’s participation to raise awareness on challenges faced by persons with deaf and hard of hearing, FCRPD organised a symposium on Saturday, 28th September 2024 at the American Corner Bundung in commemoration of the week on the theme Importance Of Inclusive Education.
The event was attended by different media houses, sister organizations such as the girls Agenda (an organization that stands in advocating and safeguarding the welfare of Girls including Girls with disabilities), persons with deaf and hard of hearing and other private individuals across different sectors of life.
During the Symposium, many important issues were discussed ranging from difficulties faced By the deaf community including communication barriers and other restrictions hindering social inclusion.
Mr Samba Jaiteh, the President and Founder of FCRPD expresses his gratitude to all the participants that came to witness the event to join hands in commemorating the international Deaf awareness week. Mr Jaiteh, further explain the efforts the foundation is taking on a daily bases in advocating for the rights and social inclusion of persons with disabilities through different medium like newspapers outlets, Radio talk shows, social media platforms etc. to create awareness for the masses to continue protecting the rights of persons with disabilities. “ we usually organise training for our members on human guide techniques in preparing them with skills and techniques to be well prepared in serving persons with disabilities including the visual impairs , those in wheelchairs etc. as a form of capacity building “ he said. Jaiteh also expressed his plan of enrolling The volunteers to be train in sign language who will in turn help in interpreting for the deaf and hard of hearing.
He however expressed the challenges faced in lack of financial support to implement most of his plans. He urged all to help the foundation for funding so as to continue Offering services to PWDs
However, Mr. Samba continue by expressing his unsatisfaction by highlighting the numerous challenges face by persons with disabilities in our societies such as in homes, offices, schools, transportation services, hospitals, education etc.
He strongly urged the government to always involve persons with disabilities during policy drafting periods for an inclusive policing.
Mrs Mariama Sanyang, the communication officer Girls’ Agenda spoke about their organization’s involvement in advocating for rights of the women with deaf and hard of hearing. She also lamented the role played by the Girls’ agenda in developing the PWDs through leadership trainings.
She reveal that, many women with Hard of hearing are encountering problems on a daily bases in our societies such as ; FGM, Early Marriage, violence against women etc but they have less opportunities and places to express themselves to the authorities. She call on the government and other stakeholders to come out and protect their rights for equality in distributions and opportunities as enshrined in The Gambia’s 1997 constitution.
As a week designated for commemorate awareness for the Deaf, Mr Lamin Ceesay , a member of FCRPD give a brief statement on the importance of introducing sign languages in our education curriculum where children will be taught to sign from nursery to university stage . He asserts that , this will be the only means to breach the communication barrier for the Deaf.
He further strengthen that, if all the learning institutions can graduate hundreds of sign languages interpreters yearly, the communication gap would be closed for easy access to information for all.
Indeed the event was interactive and educative where participants were given the opportunity to ask questions or give recommendations.Participants like Aja Binta Jabang, a hard of hearing woman and other deaf people thank the foundation for creating such informative and important program. They strongly recommends The Gambia government to hire full time sign language interpreter(s) in the National Assembly or nominate someone of disabilities who shall be their advocate in the parliament. They equally call on the Ministry of Education to consult and consider persons with disabilities when planning to build education structures . Noting that, these structures should be accessible to all irrespective of your physical appearances .
The event concluded with questions and answers from the audience.
FCRPD thank all for attending the symposium and still looking for support in any form.
FCRPD on Air discussing on the challenges faced by persons with deaf and hard of hearing .
As the world commemorates the international deaf awareness week, the foundation for the Civic Rights of persons with disabilities FCRPD under the leadership of Samba Jaiteh (Batch Samba) was not an exception. Since the beginning of the week, FCRPD has been engaging in several severel activities and publications in advocating for the rights and social inclusion of persons with deaf and hard of hearing in particular. On Tuesday 24th September, FCRPD through it’s President Samba Jaiteh and other members were aired in one of the local Radio stations in the Gambia to discuss on the isues affecting persons with deaf and hard of hearing. During the live program, they discuss on very important areas in hearing towards an inclusive society for all. These are some of the areas the dilated on:
1. The importance of introducing sign languages as a language to be taught in schools and communities.
2. The creation of employments for persons with disabilities in general persons with deaf/hard of hearing in particular.
3. The eradication of discrimination in the society.
4.. The introduction of sign language in all television programs to enable them also have access to information.
5.. The need to introduce The training of teachers, students, parents and guidance on the use of sign language. Etc.
As an Organization FCRPD is committed to serving the PWDs to it’s utmost best. Much appreciation to Fayda1 1 FM for giving us the floor to discuss such pivotal issues. Please help in anyway that you could do we can continue impacting many lives. FCRPD is a Non-profit charitable organisation that has no sponsored but purely depends on the little we have from members. Please reach out if you have anything to offer or maybe link us to other connections. In the Service of Persons with disabilities We remain FCRPD.
FCRPD ORGANISED HUMAN GUIDE TRAINING FOR ITS VOLUNTEERS .
The foundation For the civic rights of persons with disabilities FCRPD on Saturday 11th May, 2024, successfully organised a training on human guide and ethics in media advocacy for it’s members. The training was practically cantered on building the capacities of volunteers with realistic skills and ideas on how to guide or support persons with disabilities when the need arise at anytime or anywhere.
This helps in the realization and strengthening our goals on providing human guides for PWDs. The training was not just Centred on human guide training, but also on other essential Topics such as ethics in media advocacy, importance and ethics in volunteerism and other skills deemed necessary in the field of advocacy.
Mr Samba Jaiteh, facilitator and founder of the Organization trained the participants on both theological and practical methodologies to apply when assisting any person with disability. This includes the Dos and dons as well as right approaches to use when offering assistance to PWDs.
Morally, they were lectured on approach manners and How to comport themselves as volunteers when helping in the service of humanity. The use of polite words was triumphed to the hears of the volunteers as a core moral value to upheld to at all cost.
Furthermore, the volunteers were also sensitised on ethics in media advocacy. This training has capacitate volunteers with sound knowledge on how to abide by the media ethics and principles when advocating in the global village, verbally or in written statement.
many self perpetuated advocates that haven’t gone through formal training on ethics in media reporting usually cause many confusion in the media fraternity today. These unethical approaches results to many incriminating themselves in media sins of ; defamation, slander, misinformation and libel, which has its own penalties if one is accused, sued of or sentenced for.
Volunteers were clearly oriented about the provisions of the national laws that guaranteed freedom of speech in section 25, 34 and 35 in the 1997 constitution of the Gambia which totally spelled out the rights of person with disabilities and firmly condemns any discrimination acts against any person with disability.
During the interaction session, it was shared that most advocates are using the media to enrich and popularise themselves through the name of advocating for the rights of PWDs. This is really uncalled for.
The training was concluded with critical equations of the government of The Gambia disregard or devalued of person with disabilities. Whereby person with disability are not given the opportunity to partake in governance issues such as being appointed in high governmental or even private sectors official positions for inclusivity.
The volunteers gave recommendations for the appointment of person with disabilities in the cabinet, legislature etc. who will continuously advocate for their rights and wellbeing.
All public structures should be build in a manner that, it would be accessible to all, irrespective of your health status.
The participants were feed with great information and experience on how to be better at what they do.
Please we are seeking for assistance from all those concerned about the wellbeing of PWDs to support us with all means being it financially with grants or connections on how to get such to help us continue to champion our goals. Any help rendered will really be appreciated.
Join us in this noble cause by following, sharing, liking and suggesting the page to your network.
Thank you all
In the Service of persons with Disabilities
We Remain FCRPD.
FCRPD organized training for it’s volunteers
on the 23rd July 2023, The foundation for the Civic Rights of persons with Disabilities FCRPD concluded two days capacity building training organized for it’s volunteers. The organization successfully completed the training for it’s first badge of advocates. the training covered the following topics: introduction to volunteerism, understanding the different types of disabilities, introduction to the rights of PWDs, ethics on advocacy, introduction to advocacy, diversity and inclusion, and also on introduction to the concept of human guide. Not only topics were discussed but also practicals on how to guide(move with) a person with disability to ensure free movement and accessibility. These topic will go a long way in widening the knowledge of the volunteers on understanding persons with Disabilities, be able to associate and offer assistance as well as to serve as advocates for the rights of persons with Disabilities and change agents in eradicating discrimination and encourage inclusion.The foundation is very happy and extends it’s highest gratitude to the resource persons and it’s volunteers for making such a reality. All praise goes to the highest and most Supreme God. The foundation is seeking for funding to continue it’s activities. Anything gain will go a long way in helping persons with Disabilities live a dignified life. Please help in joining the fight against discriminations and encouraging inclusion. The foundation is open to collaboration or partnership.
Serving persons with Disabilities is our priority.
WORLD WHITE CANE DAY
15th October is a day set aside to cerebrate and enlighten the general public most specifically the drivers, pedestrians, cyclist on the importance and use of the white cane and the need to offer assistance when necessary. a cane used by blind and visually impaired persons to locate, explore and navigate their way. It is so sad that the white cane symbolizing that this person holding it has sight problem and may need assistance is rather seen in many African communities as a symbol of charity. many are not willing to offer assistance to persons using the white cane. To some moving with a blind person is rather unfortunately. Some feel shy been seen moving with a visually impaired. To some misinformed people due to certain negative and discriminatory tradition believes termed the white cane as sign of bad luck. For them seeing a blind person in the morning is a sign of bad luck and misfortune for that day. With all the celebrations, still some road users don’t want to offer the required assistance to persons with the white cane. Many canes are hit and broken by cyclist. Persons with visually impairment still face great challenges using the road. There are uncountable discriminations raining on persons with visually impairment in most African communities most specifically in the rural areas(villages) I belief there should be a change of garment. Let’s come together in supporting persons with disabilities.
FCRPD Paid a courtesy call to the National Human Rights Commission
In the quest and struggle to see a society were persons with disabilities are given all the rights they deserved, representative of the foundation for the Civic rights of persons with disabilities FCRPD had a successful meeting with the chairperson and reps from the national human Rights commission at their headquarters. Among the things discussed was possible collaborations and how to see that persons with disabilities live a life free from discrimination and aggregation. Thanks to the NHRC for opening their doors to us with great words of motivation and advice given. We really appreciate.
IN THE SERVICE OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITY, We remain
FCRPD.
National Human Rights Commission, The Gambia
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