When inclusion is an illusion: sign language interpreters and the pitfalls for ‘inclusive’ development

Julia ModernDisability, Research, Rights

How did a meeting for disabled people in Uganda end up using sign language that local deaf people couldn’t understand? Julia Modern reflects on how that failure is rooted in racialised ideas about who is an expert – and shares six tips for effective deaf inclusion. (And you can also watch a Ugandan Sign Language translation of the blog.)

Across Asia, local LGBTQIA+ activists are finding their Voice

Kayla LapizInfluencing, Power Shifts, Rights

Over the past eight years, the Voice programme has been supporting the fight for LGBTQIA+ rights. In a blog for Pride month, Kayla Lapiz and Ishita Dutta look back on some inspiring examples of local action as the programme comes to an end.

Poems, art and song: how our development journal tackled the theme of decolonising knowledge

Gender and Development editorsGender & Development Journal, Power Shifts, Research

The latest issue of the Oxfam-edited Gender & Development Journal embraces poets, artists and community activists alongside researchers as it shines a light on voices, experiences and modes of expression that are too often neglected and silenced.

Words matter: that’s why Oxfam is launching an inclusive language guide

Harley WishartInfluencing, Power Shifts, Rights

What do you think of the term “developing countries”? Ever felt uncomfortable saying “beneficiaries”? Helen Wishart introduces Oxfam’s new inclusive language guide and sets out why it’s time for all of us in NGOs to consider the power in the words that we use…

Diverse ability, not disability: our new commitments

jamesGeneral

‘The issue of disability has too often been side lined’, following the Global Disability Summit Claire Spoors outlines Oxfam’s new commitments to recognising and supporting people with disabilities. Last Tuesday the UK Government, along with the Government of Kenya and the International Disability Alliance, played host to the first ever Global Disability Summit to tackle the barriers facing people living …

Let’s take a bigger leap for women with disabilities and economic empowerment

Hannah LorymanGender, Her Series, Women's Economic Empowerment

In this latest addition to her our Her Series, we look at the barriers women with disabilities face. Hannah Loryman from CBM sheds light on just some of them.  he High-level panel’s aim to put Women’s Economic Empowerment at the top of the International Agenda is hugely positive. As the Secretary General put it, the Sustainable Development Goals will only …