cbm Canada Addresses Accessibility at UN Conference on Haiti

New York, March 31, 2010 – cbm Canada presented a situational report on people with disabilities in Haiti at the United Nations today.

Winston Miller, cbm Canada’s Director, International Programs and Heather Weaver, cbm’s Community Project Manager in Haiti were part of a Side Event discussion of the “Haiti: Reconstruction for All” at the Donors’ Conference for Haiti in New York. Miller and Weaver presented "Experiences from the ground: Efforts for inclusion in Haiti".

Organized by the Global Partnership for Disability and Development Promoting An Inclusive Society, the meeting addressed the inclusion of universal design in the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Haiti.

cbm Canada is part of a larger group calling world leaders to focus on the inclusion of accessibility and universal design in Haiti's reconstruction. Former President Bill Clinton, Special UN Envoy to Haiti, has encouraged the world and Haitians to imagine what could be in this reconstruction. cbm envisions a society that will include accessibility and open attitudes for all people – including those with disabilities.

cbm and Handicap International are working together in Haiti as joint leaders of the Inury, Rehabilitationa nd Disability Working Group within the UN Health Cluster, in coordination with the Haitian Secretariat of State for People with Disabilities.

This working group coordinates all activity in Haiti regarding the rehabilitation of injured persons, the fitting of orthopedic devices and prostheses, and the provision of assistance to people with disabilities.

Before the earthquake, people with disabilities comprised 10 per cent of Haiti’s population. Since the January quake, that number has grown significantly - it’s estimated that at least 4,000 people have had amputations and doctors treating the wounded believe a second wave of amputations may be necessary if post-surgical care is not available.

cbm has been working in Haiti since 1976, with development projects throughout the country, including five programs for those with disabilities in Port-au-Prince.

A leading international Christian humanitarian organization, cbm works to meet the needs of persons with disabilities in the poorest countries of the world.

For more information, call toll free 1-800-567-2264 or continue to browse our website.

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Media contact:

For more information, or to arrange an interview, contact:
Sandy Hazell
cbm Canada
National Media Coordinator
1-800-567-2264 ext 246
416-302-3166 (cell)
shazell@cbmcanada.org