More than 1 billion people in the world today experience disability. According to the World Report on disability, jointly prepared by the World Health Organization and the World Bank, poverty, malnutrition, poor health, illiteracy, and lack of sanitation and clean water worsen the consequences of existing disabilities. Unfortunately, in most developing countries, no effective policies are in place to address the specific needs of the individuals with disabilities and give them the opportunity to have access to a quality education.
The Reading Changed My Life Photo and Video Contest launched by the Global Partnership for Education along with 100+ co-sponsors, encouraged individuals around the world to submit a photo or video that showed how reading has changed their lives or the life of someone they know. Our aim? Draw attention to the importance of literacy and education. Among the nearly 1,000 wonderful photos and videos that we received, a few of them were from individuals experiencing some form of disability and showed how difficult it was for them to have access to an education. I have selected a few personal favorites below to share with you today.
The stories that I have selected show that these individuals had to overcome enormous challenges to be able to get an education. Lack of schools and inadequate training materials were some of the obstacles that these people encountered. However, despite all challenges, these individuals were determined to go to school and get an education.
- Meet Arpita, a 10-year-old from Bangladesh. This girl couldn’t go to school since no school in the area was prepared to teach visually impaired kids. By rkhan, Bangladesh
- This photo taken in the Philippines shows the struggle of this disabled young man and his willingness and determination to find a job. By simplywenreyes, Philippines
- The man shown in the photo was expelled from school because of his disability, but he never gave up and continued reading and studying. Now he has graduated from University and has become a teacher. By bsk47, Turkey
On the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, I invite you to visit our contest gallery and read these powerful stories; that I hope will inspire you as much as they inspired me.