Nepal celebrated its New Year’s Day on 14 April. The three-day congress ‘Kathmandu — Include me too’ began the following day. It was nothing short of a miracle that it was able to take place at all. Despite months of preparation, there was a possibility of the congress being cancelled at the last minute. Consequently, a physically impaired leader of a foundation which works for Persons with Disabilities in Kathmandu took the reins at short notice and, working with his team, was able to organise the event in just two days.

The congress was held at the Kathmandu University School of Management, a well-known establishment in the city centre. The event was attended by approximately 80 persons, people with diversed disabilities, parents, professionals, politicians and university teachers. The atmosphere was excellent and the contributions were of a consistently high quality. The following topics were covered:

Sustainable Cities and issues of Accessible Infrastructure in Nepal. Social Protection Policies and Practices for Persons with Disabilities and Inclusive Education.

Nepal is in the early stages of addressing disability-related marginalisation and facilitating the removal of various barriers faced by this community. Disability is often perceived as a consequence of sin, leading to social exclusion. The congress can be regarded as a catalyst for societal change, driven by the collaboration of all stakeholders. The next congress, which will host participants from all over Nepal, should prove beneficial in this regard. Preparations are underway.

Please find an article in Nepali and a short documentary.