World Bank hosts Disability and Development Core Course in Washington, DC
This first ever course was held on 7-11 May, drawing heavily on the joint WHO/World Bank World report on disability. The course was attended by 23 participants from 10 countries including World Bank client country decision-makers from diverse sectors and representatives of NGOs. It provided an important opportunity to increase knowledge on disability, and reflect on how to address disability in development policy and practice through an in-depth analysis of disability issues with country case studies and exercises on country reform.
Dr Linammara Batistella, Secretary of State for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities of Sao Paolo, Brazil, was a featured speaker. She highlighted her Government's efforts of the past 20 years to ensure good quality rehabilitation services, and made an impassioned call for other countries to do the same. Following the training, many participants expressed interest in launching the World report on disability in their own countries.