Policy paper

International Federation of L'Arche communities

Published 23 July 2018

This was published under the 2016 to 2019 May Conservative government

Form for submitting commitments for the Global Disability Summit 2018

IMPORTANT: Please refer to the accompanying guidance note for advice on completing this form and please fill in all four sections in English.

Your organisation:

Type of organisation: Civil Society Organisation

If other: Click or tap here to enter text.

Name of organisation International Federation of L’Arche communities

Charter for Change

Please read the attached Summit Charter for Change: the principal legacy of the Summit. If your organisation is happy to sign up to the Charter, please confirm by putting a cross in the box below. My organisation signs up to the Summit Charter for Change ☒

Your organisation’s commitments to achieve the rights of people with disabilities in developing countries:

A. Commitments to eliminate Stigma and Discrimination

Please select the category which your commitment most relates to: Stereotypes, attitudes and behaviours

Please enter the exact wording of the commitment/s, including details of others who has supported its development (75 words limit): As we have done for the over 50 years, L’Arche is committed to continuing to raise the positive profile of women and men with intellectual disabilities in each of the 35 countries we are present in, through providing each person we support with diverse opportunities for self-expression, and developing their individual talents to the full, so that they can really shine and so open up the attitudes of their society to welcome the vulnerable people in our midst.

Timeframe and/or implementation plan (75 words limit)

This is ongoing

Please copy and paste this box for additional commitments under this theme.

B. Commitments for Economic Empowerment

C. Commitments for Women and Girls with Disabilities

Please select the category which your commitment most relates to: Skills development for decent work

Please enter the exact wording of the commitment/s, including details of others who have supported its development (75 words limit): L’Arche is committed to enabling each person with an intellectual disability we support to take up meaningful work, where appropriate, and fully enjoy the rewards this brings. For people who are retired, or otherwise unable to work, we are committed to ensuring a wide variety of opportunities for creativity and social interaction, so that each person feels fully included as a valued contributor to the common good. Timeframe and/or implementation plan (75 words limit)

This is ongoing throughout L’Arche.

Please copy and paste this box for additional commitments under this theme.

Please enter the exact wording of the commitment/s, including details of others who have supported its development (75 words limit): L’Arche is very aware of the additional social disadvantages that can affect women and girls with an intellectual disability, and is committed to enabling each to take their rightful place in their society.

Timeframe and/or implementation plan (75 words limit)

This is ongoing

Please copy and paste this box for additional commitments under this theme.

D. Commitments for people with disabilities in Humanitarian Contexts

E. Other Commitments

Please enter the exact wording of the commitment/s, including details of others who has supported its development (75 words limit):

L’Arche, for over 40 years, has operated in some of the most economically disadvantaged countries in the world, which gives direct experience of how conflicts, earthquakes, floods and civil unrest have a direct and disproportionate impact on the lives of vulnerable men and women with intellectual disabilities. In such places, when disaster comes, the people with disabilities we support are as affected as anyone else, and we often become a focal point for local disabled people as well, because we are a trusted agency. We are committed to continuing this support.

Timeframe and/or implementation plan (75 words limit) Ongoing Please copy and paste this box for additional commitments under this theme. Please enter the exact wording of any other commitment/s that do not fall under the themes above, including details of others who have supported its development (75 words limit): L’Arche engages with a wide variety of religious traditions in the countries where we are present, in order to influence faith leaders as regards a positive approach to people with an intellectual disability. Please copy and paste this box for additional other commitments.