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1 .Introduction
Children with disability are a priority group in Radda Barnen's
work. The policy guides Radda Barnen's work for children with
disability in Sweden and abroad. It is based on the norms,
principles and values expressed in the UN Convention on the
Rights of the Child. The policy has been adopted by the Board of
Radda Barnen.
2. Definition
Radda Barnen talks about children with disability rather than
disabled children. In this way, we want to emphasize that the
childs own worth and integrity must be given priority. Radda
Barnen believes that a handicap is to a large extent created by
the attitudes of the community. A child's opportunities to live and
develop depend on these attitudes and on societys readiness to
meet the child's needs.
Radda Bamen focuses its activities on children with disability in
difficult circumstances and works with children with all types of
disability, without differentiation. The emphasis shall be placed on
children with disability within Radda Barnen's priority groups,
namely children in armed conflict, refugee children, street and
working children, and other children at social and economic risk.
Girls shall be given special attention.
3. ObjectIves
The overall objective Is that children with disability shall have
their rights respected in accordance with the UN Convention on
the Rights of the Child. Radda Barnen emphasizes the child's right
to development, health, rehabilitation and education, as well as
the right to participation and protection.
Radda Barnen's work shall result in:
· children with disability leading fuller lives, integrated and
participating in society
· children with disability being made visible in all contexts
This work shall be based on the principles of:
· -seeing the child from a holistic perspective
· treating the child with respect
· paying attention to the child's needs in the situation that he or
she is in and the child's own resources, as well as his/her best
interests, i.e. paying attention to the child behind the disability
4. Methods
In accordance with Its stated aims and purpose, Radda Bamen
pursues research, practical support and advocacy. In order to
attain optimal effect, i.e. to best support children at risk, the
three areas of operations should be coordinated. Where
possible, It should cooperate with other national and
International organizations and its membership actively
participate in the activities.
4.1 Research
In its work Radda Barnen shall:
· survey the situation for children with disability
· continuously analyze, document and evaluate activities in order
to Improve the quality of its practical support and advocacy
· support and encourage reporting that concerns children with
disability in relation to the UN Convention on the Rights of the
Child.
4.2 PractIcal support
Radda Barnen shall reinforce and complement national and
regional groups and organizations that safeguard the interests of
children with disability, and support project work that Is
innovative and replicable.
This work should concentrate on:
· continued support to Community Based Rehabilitation (GBR) that
aims primarily at children
· prevention of disabilities, where children, parents and relatives
cooperate and are given responsibility
· integration of children with disability into preschools, schools
and the community through the further development of inclusive
education and activities that support the participation of chlidren
with disability
· education for greater knowledge and changed attitudes among
various categories of staff who
come into contact with children with disability
· generating support in the community, in order to strengthen
participation and responsibility, among other things through
support to childrens, youth and parents organizations
4.3 Advocacy
Radda Barnen's advocacy aims to:
1) Influence attitudes, legislation and practice so that the
situation of children is improved
2) Increse knowledge concerning methods to support children
with disability and to reduce their vulnerability. Radda Barnen
shall promote and contribute to the debate on practical support.
Advocacy shall be pursued on three levels: in Sweden, in Radda
Barnen's programme countries, and In international fora such as
UN and EU bodies.