On the International Human Rights Day, marking the anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948, the “Disability Marker Manual“ was officially launched at the AICS headquarters. This innovative tool aims to promote inclusive project design within international cooperation programs.
The Manual is the result of a participatory process involving AICS, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), and Italian institutions, all working collaboratively to mainstream inclusivity across social, economic, and technical sectors. The approach aligns with the principles of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), focusing on empowerment, capability, independent living, and participation.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 1.3 billion people (16% of the global population) live with a disability, and 80% of them reside in low- and middle-income countries. In line with the CRPD and the global commitment of Agenda 2030 to “leave no one behind”, the Disability Marker Manual provides practical guidance to cooperation practitioners. Its goal is to ensure that development initiatives include persons with disabilities as active decision-makers, rather than merely as beneficiaries.
The presentation of the Manual served as an essential platform to highlight its role as a tool for inclusive design and to showcase how AICS initiatives are addressing global human rights challenges and social inclusion.
The Manual’s development was made possible through the joint efforts of AICS, AIFO, CBM, CISP, EDUCAID, RIDS, and the University of Macerata.