Thursday in Nepal: Human Rights Center and National Federation of Disabled

Laura presenting a small gift to the Human Rigts Center Representatives

Thanks to the help of Dr. Basu Kafle, Professor of Special Education at the Tribhuvan University here in Kathmandu, we have now visited organizations representing the blind, intellectual disabilities, human rights for pwd, and a rehabilitation center. Our last visit on Thursday was the umbrella organization for all of these and other disability organizations in Nepal: the National Federation of the Disabled Nepal (NFDN). We were very impressed by the grassroots efforts here in Nepal overall. At NFDN, the President briefed us on their goals and challenges. They target their efforts on advocating for better policies and elevating awareness of the needs of people with disabilities in Nepal. The group is putting a lot of effort right now into organizing disability, human rights, and other like minded organizations to provide input into the draft Constitution. They also emphasized wanting to get away from paternalistic welfare programs toward more rights based legislation. The Federation also participates in the international arena through Disabled People International (DPI).

Speaking the the President of the National Federation

Laura, Dr. Kafle and I at the Federation

Everywhere we went this past week, we were warmly welcomed. I felt that we had nice mutual exchanges of information. Every place we visited the representatives briefed us on their activities but also wanted to know about the situation and laws that benefit pwd in the United States, especially in the area of education and rights. They were also keenly interested in how our national coalition works and I was able to tell them about the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities and other coalitions that we work with.

Today is our last full day in Nepal before we depart for Thailand. We are headed out for a three hour trek. I am looking forward to seeing the mountains and some countryside outside of Kathmandu.