cbm Haiti promoting universal accessibility for an inclusive reconstruction

Training session on accessibility with engineers of Tecina (a local building firm) in the streets of Petion-ville, West of Port-au-Prince, May 2011.

Since January 2011 cbm Haiti participates actively in the promotion of universal accessibility with the key players of the country's reconstruction. It brings its expertise to partners involved in the efforts of reconstruction to ensure the inclusion of the needs of people with disabilities in terms of accessibility.

•     The built environment
•     Transportation
•     Services
•     Information technology and communication systems

•     The implementation of the accessibility criteria to favour temporary and permanent reconstruction
•     Lobbying and advocacy
•     Capacity building in accessibility and universal design

Reconstruction of temporary and permanent buildings

To promote universal accessibility standards in the process of reconstruction of buildings, cbm Haiti has supported the Secretariat of State for Integration of People with disabilities (SEIPH) in the integration of accessibility criteria in the National Building Code of the Republic of Haiti (CNBH). For this, a Working Group on Standards of Accessibility in Haiti (WGSAH) was created. It is coordinated by the Organization of American States (OAS) and consisted mainly of lawyers and Benjamin Dard, Accessibility Officer, cbm Haiti. All the work has resulted in the inclusion of universal accessibility in CNBH draft. While working with other partners in temporary or permanent building, Benjamin provides expertise and technical support to cbm partners involved in the construction of semi-permanent shelters for the benefit of people affected by the earthquake. Adjustments to standards of accessibility are in progress in transitional shelters in Léogâne, in the southwest of Port-au-Prince, for the benefit of 125 persons. The construction of a ramp and accessible toilets in the 'Chanje Lavi' rehabilitation centre, southern suburb of Port-au-Prince, was recently completed. To promote access to education, Benjamin participated as a consultant for USAID in the evaluation of 56 schools of Port-au-Prince. "The overall objective of this study was to provide a framework of recommendations to improve access to the physical environment of schools and classrooms. We also provided technical expertise to a group of Haitians specialised in construction on the design plans of the Pazapa school buildings in Jacmel, southwest of Port-au-Prince. Finally, recommendations for the construction of a school which can accommodate 1,200 children, including 200 children with disabilities, were made at Rivière Froide, south of Port-au-Prince”, explains Benjamin.	Benjamin Dard Accessibility Officer cbm Haiti office
Sensitisation to universal accessibility
To sensitise the population to accessibility as a precondition for the fight against social exclusion of people with disabilities, posters were installed in strategic locations in Port-au-Prince. Capacity building through training To strengthen the capacities of the professionals on accessibility, training sessions were organised for the benefit of 28 professionals of Tecina (local construction company) and Global Relief Technologies (in charge of the evaluation of 56 schools of the Haitian Aid Program for the Reform of Education – PHARE). They consisted of a theoretical part of four hours on the issue of disability and universal accessibility. A practical part has put people without disability in situation of disability within an urban course in Port-au-Prince. Read about similar accessibility training sessions conducted by cbm in India. The advocacy of the standards of universal accessibility is part of the efforts led by cbm in Haiti to remove barriers to autonomy, integration and participation of people with disabilities in all spheres of the Haitian society. However, even if decisive steps have already been taken, the implementation of accessibility standards in Haiti requires promotion and investment to be strengthened in the years to come.	A poster in the street of Port-au-Prince to sensitise the population on accessibility as a precondition for the fight against the exclusion of people with disabilities

Future event