“National Level Interaction Program Report: Fostering Access to Inclusive Education and Assistive Technology for Girls and Young Women with Disabilities”

March 11, 2024

Kathmandu, Nepal

On March 11, 2024, Access Planet Organization successfully concluded its two-year project, "Fostering Access to Inclusive Education and Assistive Technology for Girls and Young Women with Disabilities," with a national-level interaction program in support of the Disability Rights Fund (DRF). This program brought together 50 key stakeholders, including parliamentarians, government representatives, development stakeholders, and OPD leaders. The event aimed to reflect on the project's outcomes, raise awareness about the challenges faced, launch knowledge products, including the Policy Brief on Inclusive Education and Disability Resource Book, and discuss strategies for enhancing inclusive education and access to assistive technology.

Objectives:

• To showcase project reflections and raise awareness about local issues among key national stakeholders.
• To launch knowledge products, including a policy brief on inclusive education and disability resource books.
• To sensitize key national stakeholders about local-level issues faced by girls and young women with disabilities in accessing education and technology.
• To brainstorm and discuss the "way forward" for enhancing inclusive education and access to assistive technology for girls and young women with disabilities.

Access Planet Organization hosted an event featuring Honorable Dipa Sharma, Education, Health, and Information Technology Committee Member, and Honorable Padam Pariyar, National Assembly Member and Disability Rights Activist. Ms Gargi Nepal, President of Access Planet Organization, welcomed all the attendees and provided an overview of the organizational activities so far, focusing on the advocacy activities conducted at Banke, Bhaktapur, and Kailali districts. This event was segment into various parts as follows:

1. Launching of knowledge products:

Here various documents in regard to disability inclusion produced during the project periods were launched.

a. Policy Brief Launch:

The development of the policy brief was supported by Padam Pariyar which incorporates existing policies, identified gaps, and he presented recommendations for fostering access to inclusive education and assistive technology for girls and young women with disabilities.

Honorable Dipa Sharma, and member of Education, Health and Information Technology Committee of the parliament launched the policy brief. After the launching of the policy brief, Hon. Padam Pariyar and also the consultant for this assignment highlighted key themes highlighted in the paper.

b. Disability Resource Book Launch:

This resource book, produced in simple language and in a pictorial format developed with the support of consultant Surya Bhakta Prajapati, serves as a comprehensive guide for the local government on disability identification and management. It details available resources, disability-inclusive services and facilities, and relevant policies, particularly at the local level. Highlighting the crucial role of local governments in promoting disability inclusion, the book emphasizes the need to bridge the knowledge gap and empower local authorities to effectively address these issues.

The book was formally launched by Hon. Padam Pariyar. After the formal launch of the book, Suryabhakta provided brief details on what are covered in the resource book and how it can enhance disability inclusion at the local level. Since the practice of federalism in Nepal is not that old, the local government still does not have practical knowledge on the concept of disability inclusion.  The resource book has provided the guidance to the local government on disability inclusion. The book has been developed in pictorial format and prepared using the simple languages so that the local government representatives can easily understand the content. We plan to disseminate the book to all 753 palikas in the long-run.

2. Project Reflection Sharing:

Under this project, we developed a reflection/ learning document based on 2 years project funded under DRF on inclusive education and access to technology for girls and young women with disabilities. The document has highlighted key learnings including strengths, challenges and the way forward on the topic being based on our experience on implementing this project. This learning document has been an important advocacy document and it will support partnerships from diverse stakeholders on the issue. At the event, consultant Neetu Pokhrel presented a comprehensive report outlining the project's overall reflection, learnings, outcomes, challenges, and effectiveness.

3.  Panel Discussion

Additionally, Panel discussion was carried out on the topic “Way Forward on Inclusive Education and Access to Technology for Girls and Young Women with Disabilities" in the presence of panelists Sulochana Khanal, Section Officer, Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology, Narayan Krishna Shrestha, Deputy Chief, Equity and Inclusion, Plan International Nepal, and Mukunda Dahal, Disability Rights Expert.

The panel discussion focused on the following themes like the current situation regarding access to inclusive education and assistive technology for girls and young women with disabilities, Existing gaps in policy and implementation, and Recommendations and the way forward. The discussion also included open participation from attendees, including representatives from organizations of persons with disabilities and other relevant sectors. In the interaction, participants and stakeholders from various organizations shared their experiences.

4. Final Remarks and Stakeholder Commitments:

At the end, commitments were gathered from the following representatives:

• Honorable Dipa Sharma, Education, Health, and Information Technology Committee Member to work towards solutions for inclusive education and technology access,
• Padam Pariyar, National Assembly Member and Disability Rights Activist to continue his support in the forthcoming days as well and commended Access Planet's work,
• Krishna Gahatraj, program officer of DRF expressed his gratitude for the project's success and pledged their continued support and highlighted the importance of project sustainability moving forward,
• Rama Dhakal, Secretary General from the Federation of Women with Disabilities (FWDN) stressed that the issues of inclusive education should be clearly stated in the Education Act,
• Tika Dahal, President, the National Disable Women Association (Ndwa) emphasized the need to include practical experiences of violence faced by girls and women with disabilities in the policy brief and future advocacy efforts.

The program concluded with a vote of thanks to all participants. The national-level interaction program marked a significant milestone. By showcasing project achievements, launching valuable resources, and facilitating discussions on the "way forward," the program has significantly contributed to promoting inclusive education and empowering girls and young women with disabilities in Nepal. Similarly, the project's achievements will contribute to a more inclusive education system in Nepal, empowering girls and young women with disabilities to reach their full potential. Access Planet remains committed to working with stakeholders to ensure continued progress in this crucial area.

Outputs:

• Development of a policy brief on fostering access to inclusive education and assistive technology for girls and young women with disabilities. This brief, co-created with Padam Pariyar, a National Assembly Member and disability rights activist, identified existing policies, gaps, and recommendations.
• Launch of a pictorial resource book on disability. Authored by Access Planet with support from consultant Surya Bhakta Prajapati, this book caters to Nepal's federal system by focusing on the crucial role of local governments in promoting disability inclusion. The book serves as a comprehensive guide on disability types, management, rights, and available services at the local level.
• A project reflection report presented by consultant Neetu Pokhrel detailed the project's outcomes, learnings, challenges, and effectiveness.