At the @Global Disability Summit, Silvia Quan reminded us that “Persons with disabilities are the better experts on disability rights.”
Silvia is the President of the Colectivo Vida Independiente in Guatemala and is working as a CBID co-trainer.
In this short video, Silvia shares her reflections on the Global Disability Summit and why it remains a crucial platform for dialogue between governments, stakeholders, and the global disability community. Her message is clear: while important steps have been taken, there is still much work ahead to ensure real progress for persons with disabilities 🌐
Let’s continue advocating for inclusive policies and spaces where lived experience leads the way.
Hello, my name is Sylvia Quan. I'm from Guatemala,
so I'm currently the president of an OPD. The name is Colectivo Vida Independiente, which you would translate
as the independent living collective. And the way that I am in contact with CBM is through the Community
Based Inclusive Development Initiative, the CBID initiative, of which, CBM is training people, has a course. So I'm a co-trainer in that course. So these kinds of fora is very important as OPDs and other civil society
organisations are able to meet with decision makers,
with governments and at international level it���s of course also fundamental as the CRPD is an international treaty,
human rights treaty. So usually how much these treaties
advance are measured through these international fora
and there is a dialogue to know how much is still needed
in order to advance and still, we know in broad terms that, there's still much to do in order
to advance, rapidly towards CRPD implementation,
especially in the developing countries. But, certainly this is an important place to talk about these issues and also to get in touch
with the different stakeholders. So many times
civil society don't have that opportunity. And this is a correct place to do it. I think it is fundamental that the voices
of persons with disabilities be heard. And of course, this is a perfect place
for that where we are directly in contact
with the governments and governments should not forget that
there is an obligation through the CRPD to consult with organisations of persons
with disabilities and listen to them. So persons with disabilities
are the better experts in disability rights, of course. And so, persons with disabilities
and OPDs should put into practice the ���nothing about us
without us��� and governments and other stakeholders
should respect that.
Thanks, Silvia! The Bangladeshi OPDs are grateful to you for your support in shaping our parallel report and participation in the 11th Working Group at the UN Facilities.
Powerful reminder dear Silvia. Lived experience must be at the center of disability rights advocacy. At akazikose we stand with efforts that champion inclusion and amplify expert voices from the community. #DisabilityRights #InclusionMatters
Professional Driver| Educationist| Writer
1wThis is a good one ... Well done CBM