Advocating for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Southeast Asia

Southeast Asia is home to an estimated 60 million persons with disabilities – 15 percent of the total population in the region. In Southeast Asia, and throughout the world, persons with disabilities have been marginalized from the democratic and political process. IFES regional and subject experts are increasing political access for this population by empowering and strengthening local organizations to ensure their voices are heard. In this podcast, disability rights experts Virginia Atkinson, Chris Donn and Yusdiana discuss the situation of persons with disabilities in Southeast Asia and outline steps that can be taken to increase their participation in the democratic process.

The General Election Network for Disability Access (AGENDA) project aims to improve access to political and electoral opportunities for people with disabilities in Southeast Asia. The two-year project brings together local organizations from Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar and Thailand to conduct research and share best practice in ensuring access for persons with disabilities.

Virginia Atkinson, IFES inclusion program officer, disability rights

Chris Donn, IFES AGENDA program manager

Yusdiana, AGENDA disability rights adviser