cbm New Zealand is joining organisations around the world to call for an end to the attitudes and misconceptions that prevent people with disabilities, especially those in low income countries, from reaching their full potential.

“More than 1 billion people around the world have a disability. Attitudes, misconceptions, and incorrect beliefs continue to be some of the tallest barriers faced by people with disabilities,” said Dr Murray Sheard, CEO of cbm New Zealand today on International Day of People with Disabilities.

“People with disabilities also have abilities and aspirations. It’s time we stopped underestimating their ability. We need to be providing the support and opportunities to people with disabilities that remove barriers to success, so they can more fully contribute in line with those aspirations. All our communities will be richer and stronger as a result”, says Dr Sheard.

“When I joined cbm earlier this year after a career in international development, I was shocked at how little I knew previously about how those with disabilities have been excluded – even from mainstream services targeted at those most vulnerable.”

They have powerful stories to tell of how they’re challenging stereotypes and misconceptions. cbm has worked with Melanie, a deaf teacher from the Philippines who had to fight the misconception that she couldn’t be a teacher because of her disability. Jahid from Bangladesh, had to combat the attitude that people with disabilities couldn’t study. But he is now finishing a Masters degree.

“These stories are a timely reminder that attitudes can lead to people with disabilities feeling disempowered and directly contribute to exclusion, and at the same time shows us that people with disabilities are continuously defying these low expectations,” says Mike Potter, Marketing Manager of cbm New Zealand, who has lived experience of disability since a motor accident in Egypt in 2008.

People with disabilities report feeling empowered when they can make choices that bestow dignity, when they have friendships that share power, and when they have a say in what their community looks like, especially when those decisions particularly affect their lives.

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