May 2008

ICI and Community Groups Partner on Zambian Project

The Institute on Community Integration (ICI) is partnering with four community organizations (Arc Greater Twin Cities, Fraser, St. David’s Child Development and Family Services, and Opportunity Partners) to provide advanced leadership training in disability policy and services for a delegation of nine government officials, missionaries, educators, and advocates from Zambia in southern Africa. Titled the “Twin Cities and Zambia Disability Connection,” the project was launched with a visit to the Twin Cities by the Zambian delegation for a two-week intensive learning residency from March 28-April 13. It will continue this summer when trainers from the local partner organizations travel to Zambia to provide additional assistance.

The goal of the partnership is to support the Zambian delegation to be change-agents in further improving supports and services to meet the needs of people with disabilities and their families in Zambia. The project was initiated by Amy Hewitt, ICI Training Director, and Sandy Beddor, advocate and Arc member. The delegation includes Grace Banda from the Zambia Ministry of Education; Mikala Mukongolw from the Bauleni Street Kids project; Alice Kaunda, a parent advocate; Sister Joyce Phiri, a Missionary Sister of St. Francis of Assisi; Sister Agnes Daka, a Little Sister of St. Francis; Sister Namangolw Liamunga, a Sister of Charity; and friars Joseph Ntumbila, Patrick Chisanga and Deodatus Mbebe, all from The Zambia Province of Franciscan Conventuals.

The delegation’s learning residency in the Twin Cities focused on best practices in advocacy, policies, and services for people with disabilities, and was modeled on the content of the Certificate in Disability Policy and Services offered by ICI and the University’s Department of Educational Policy and Administration. The delegation spent mornings in classroom sessions held at Arc Greater Twin Cities addressing topics such as the history of services and supports to people with disabilities in Western countries, person-centered planning, early intervention, family support, faith-based initiatives, special education, residential services, special health care needs, and employment of persons with disabilities. In the afternoons, they visited a variety of community agencies and programs including Opportunity Partners’ vocational training programs, St. David’s early childhood and family support programs, Fraser’s group home and autism program, Interact Center for Visual and Performing Arts, Gillette Lifetime Specialty Healthcare, Wilderness Inquiry, Fraser, and the Metropolitan Center for Independent Living.

“Services in Zambia are certainly not as widespread or complex as those in the United States,” says Amy. “Issues of poverty, nutrition, malaria and HIV/AIDS are daily considerations for most Zambians. Yet there is great interest, enthusiasm and emerging expertise in relation to people with disabilities in Zambia. The time is right for a social justice agenda to bring greater attention to people with disabilities and their rights.”

For more information, as well as photos and links to news stories, visit the project’s blog at http://twincitieszambiadisabilityconnection.blogspot.com.