Disability Rights at the Forefront of Every Movement!
DRF’s feminist partners spoke at the intersection of disability rights, climate justice, and inclusive care and support systems at the 15th AWID Forum in Bangkok. From left to right: Bhawana Majhi with NIDWAN, Dwi Suka with CIQAL, and Rina Prasarani with HWDI, Indonesia. Photo: Rucha Chitnis
Dear Friends,
On this Human Rights Day, themed ‘Our Rights, Our Future, Right Now,’ we affirm an undeniable truth: There’s no justice or equity without disability rights.
And it’s time for disability rights to be on the forefront of every movement!
At the Disability Rights Fund (DRF), our new strategic plan, Disability-Led Futures for a Just World, is a rallying call for intersectional funding that centers grassroots movements for inclusion in the Global South. Support the transformative leadership of disability rights activists by giving today.
As we wrap up a significant year, here’s what energizes us:
- Unity and Diversity in Action: This year, DRF grantee convenings in Malawi, Uganda, Indonesia, Nepal, and Nigeria showcased the strength and power of disability movements across diverse contexts. Watch the joy and fire from our convening in Jakarta.
- Youth Leadership Rising: Youth advocates like Hilda Macheso of the Association for Persons with Albinism in Malawi are shaping an inclusive future. “We need inclusive spaces to manifest ourselves so that we can thrive just like others. Donors must listen to women and girls with albinism in Malawi because our lived experiences and advocacy approaches are unique,” emphasizes Hilda.
- Intersectional Advocacy in Action: DRF’s grassroots partners raised their voices loud and proud in critical advocacy spaces, from the Beijing + 30 Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference in Bangkok to a historic gathering of disability rights activists at the G-20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro to the Asia-Pacific Care Forum in Bangkok.
Your continued support has been vital as DRF has grown and transformed over the past 16 years. As we prepare for 2025, your year-end gift is critical for DRF to influence philanthropy to #ShiftThePower to movements for inclusion.
Together, we can turn bold ideas into systemic solutions that reimagine equity.
Lorraine Wapling
Interim Executive Director