Empowering Disability Rights Advocacy in Global Education Initiatives

📖 Education is a fundamental right for everyone, yet many individuals with disabilities face barriers that prevent them from accessing quality learning. This issue is not just a local concern; it is a global challenge that requires urgent attention.

For me, this is not just theory; it is lived reality. I grew up in Mozambique, where I saw firsthand how children, particularly those with disabilities, were excluded from opportunities. Through my work in schools, preschools, and community projects, including initiatives supported by a UNICEF-sponsored life-skills project, I witnessed both the struggles and the possibilities for change. Today, as a Fulbright PhD student in Special Education, I carry these lessons into global conversations about equity.

In this blog post, I want to explore how disability rights advocacy can empower global education initiatives. However, I also want to make this space more than just a personal platform, a collective space where voices from different parts of the world, especially those from the Global South,can come together to reflect, share, and reimagine education.

🌱 Understanding Inclusive Education

Inclusive education means that all students, regardless of their abilities or disabilities, learn together in the same environment (Artiles, 2011; UNESCO, 2009; UNICEF, 2017). This approach values diversity and promotes equality by removing barriers to participation, access, and learning achievement.

I began grasping this deeply while working as a project coordinator for a UNICEF-supported initiative, coordinated by the Human Rights Center at the Faculty of Law, Duarte-ci-Montagne University. In that role, I learned about the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and Mozambique’s constitution regarding disability rights. I also connected with organizations in the field of disability, broadening my understanding of inclusion in theory and practice.

This learning became very real when I opened Centro Infantil O Cantinho da Sissi (preschool) in Matola Rio. One of our students, Jay, had cerebral palsy. He could not walk, talk, or communicate in conventional ways. Many schools would have excluded him, but we chose to enroll him. That decision transformed not only Jay’s life and his family’s, but also the whole school community. Teachers, parents, and children came to see that disability is part of our reality, and that children with disabilities are equally worthy of belonging, learning, and thriving.

During a visit to my preschool by the president of FAMOD (Forum of Persons with Disabilities), I was reminded again of the importance of practical inclusion. He pointed out that the school lacked a ramp for wheelchair access. His feedback enabled us to make immediate adjustments to enhance accessibility. Experiences like these showed me that inclusion is not an abstract principle, it is a daily commitment to equity.

Later, when I worked at another preschool in Maputo, I could apply these lessons with greater awareness and confidence.

📢 The Importance of Disability Rights Advocacy

Disability rights advocacy plays a vital role in advancing inclusive education. It raises public awareness, drives policy change, and empowers individuals to speak for their rights. Why Advocacy Matters:

• Awareness: Helps communities understand the barriers individuals with disabilities face.

• Policy Change: Encourages the enactment of laws and frameworks supporting inclusive education.

• Empowerment: Gives individuals with disabilities the voice to advocate for their own needs.

In Mozambique, I saw how systemic barriers persisted even in elite schools. That reality compels me to use platforms like this blog to expand dialogue and drive change.

🌍 Global Initiatives Supporting Disability Rights

Many global efforts reinforce disability-inclusive education:

• UNESCO’s Guidelines for Inclusion (2009): Promote access, participation, and achievement for all learners.

• UNICEF’s Approach to Inclusive Education (2017): Advocates for transforming systems so every child receives quality education.

• CRPD (2006, Article 24): Affirms the right to inclusive education for all persons with disabilities.

During my Master’s in Law in Ireland, I studied the CRPD in depth. But beyond the classroom, I had the opportunity to visit Mercy Primary School, located near my university. Observing inclusive practices taught me how schools can integrate human rights principles into their daily teaching and learning routines.

✊ Practical Steps for Advocacy

Everyone can contribute to disability rights advocacy locally or globally:

• Educate yourself about the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities.

• Raise Awareness through blogs, community discussions, or social media.

• Support Organizations that advocate for disability rights.

• Engage Policymakers to create inclusive education policies.

• Volunteer and Mentor—even small actions can create ripple effects.

One of my proudest examples was mentoring a young Mozambican woman who attended my very first podcast session on scholarships. Months later, she told me she had been selected for a Fulbright interview. Stories like hers remind me why advocacy matters.

💻 The Role of Technology in Inclusive Education

Assistive technologies can break barriers:

• Screen Readers for visually impaired students.

• Speech-to-Text Software for students with writing difficulties.

• Adaptive Learning Platforms tailored to diverse learners.

In Mozambique, access to these technologies is uneven; however, their potential to transform inclusion, particularly for Deaf and multilingual learners, is enormous.

🤝 Building Partnerships for Change

Collaboration is essential:

• Engage Families in decision-making.

• Partner with Organizations to amplify advocacy.

• Develop Inclusive Policies within schools.

Currently, I am collaborating with PPEP Integrated Care in Arizona, which supports adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Learning from their models inspires me to consider how similar approaches could be adapted in Mozambique.

🌟 Success Stories in Disability Rights Advocacy

Global success stories, such as Finland’s inclusive education reforms, the Special Olympics, or the ADA movement in the U.S show us what is possible.

For me, success stories are also local: Jay’s journey at my preschool, Mozambican children learning together despite challenges, or young women finding international opportunities through mentorship. These stories demonstrate that inclusion can bring about genuine change in everyday lives.

🔮 The Future of Disability Rights Advocacy in Education

The future is promising but requires persistence:

• Greater focus on mental health for all team and students.

• Wider adoption of Universal Design for Learning (UDL).

• Stronger global collaboration across countries.

My role is to ensure that Global South voices are part of these conversations—so that children and families in Mozambique are visible in global education reform.

📣 A Call to Action

I want this blog to be a collective space; your reflections, questions, and stories matter here. Let us champion inclusive education, back disability rights, and shape a world where every child, family, and community thrives.

Vanessa is doing her research in the Main Library

By taking action today, we can pave the way for a brighter future for all students.

In the journey toward inclusive education, every voice matters. Let us raise our voices for disability rights and work together to create a more equitable world.