Framing Perceptions - Sightsavers | Protecting sight … echo the ‘leave no one behind’ mantra of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) process, Framing Perceptions focuses on

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Framing PerceptionsAn exhibition by Guardian photographer Graeme Robertson

September 2015

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Framing PerceptionsStories of empowered lives and the impact of exclusion

An exhibition for the UN created by Sightsavers.All images ©Graeme Robertson/Sightsavers.

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Time for change

There are over one billion people – 15 per cent of the world’s population – living with a disability. In many countries, they are the most excluded and stigmatised of all groups. This needs to change: persons with disabilities must have a say in the decisions that affect their lives, and the chance to fulfil their potential and contribute to their communities.

In 2015 that chance has never been closer. To echo the ‘leave no one behind’ mantra of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) process, Framing Perceptions focuses on people who have historically been left out of the picture of international development.

“ There are many people with disabilities who can contribute to society. I see a day when we can fight for our rights ourselves.” Anuradha Pareek, India

Framing Perceptions features prints by award winning Guardian photographer Graeme Robertson, from his visits to Sightsavers-supported social inclusion projects in Uganda, East Africa and Rajasthan, North India.

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Manju Devi Meghwal, self help group leader, Bikaner – page 12

Sankarlal Bishnoi being led by his granddaughter in Bikaner – page 14

Sankarlal Bishnoi’s grandchildren with school friends

Bhagirath, Disabled People’s Organisation leader in Bikaner

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In Rajasthan, North India, the URMUL Trust brings persons with disabilities together to advocate for their rights, while the Uganda Inclusive Education Programme is working with schools to break down barriers to educate children with disabilities.

The exhibition shows the reality of life for persons with disabilities in developing countries. Some have missed out on opportunities and live with the devastating impact of exclusion; others have been empowered to transform their lives and gain independence.

Children with disabilities often miss out on education due to a lack of qualified teachers and specialist equipment, as well as negative attitudes. Many persons with disabilities also experience financial exclusion and limited livelihood opportunities, affecting not only their individual lives and prospects but also those of their families.

For too long persons with disabilities in developing countries have been forgotten, unheard, and left out of the picture. The Sustainable Development Goals could see this injustice finally starting to be addressed, transforming life for individuals, families, communities and, over time, the world.

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Hamza Kamuna

Hamza was born without sight, and lives with his father (pictured above right) who is also blind. Hamza used to attend Bishop Willis school in Iganga, Uganda where he was being taught Braille. He’s been forced to stop because the distance to the school is too far for him to walk every day.

“I do nothing no w. I wake up in the morning and sit. I only think about one thing, that one day I’ll be back in school.”

Uganda has universal free education but nearly half of all children with disabilities are out of school. This is because there isn’t the equipment or staff available to support them.

“ There were no facilities for blind people when I was young. I feel so bad for Hamza, education would make a big difference.” Kamuna Badru (Hamza’s father)

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Susan Atimen

At Bishop Willis school there is a resource centre to support young children to develop their cognitive skills. This helps to prepare children for reading Braille in the future.

“ I like learning, I love English and social studies. I want to be a nurse when I’m older.”

Susan (pictured above left) has a map of the school in her head so she can move around easily and she enjoys helping other visually impaired children to get from class to class.

One of Susan’s favourite activities is identifying circles, squares and rectangles:

“ I am pairing them up by shape.”

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Manju Devi Meghwal

Manju had an allergic reaction as a child and now uses crutches to walk. Before joining the Bikaner disabled people’s organisation, Manju wasn’t aware of facilities or schemes available to support persons with disabilities.

Thanks to the DPO she now has a travel pass which has improved her mobility.

“ Now I can travel subsidised or free so I don’t need to think, ‘Should I travel or not?’”

Previously, Manju thought she couldn’t be productive, but after meeting other persons with disabilities her confidence grew. Since then, she’s established a self help group to support others.

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Sankarlal Bishnoi

Sankarlal lost his sight in 1984 when acid was thrown in his face. He lives with his wife, son, daughter-in-law and two grandchildren.

“ With my body I have lived two lives: the first 30 years when I could see and the last 30 years as a blind man.”

With help from a government self employment scheme for persons with disabilities, he has set up a shop in his house. He is also a spokesperson for Bikaner’s local disabled people’s organisation.

“ Disabled people before they join… feel ashamed to come out of the house… but now they are confident and aware of their rights.”

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Sohanlal Meghwal

After an electric shock during the construction of his house, Sohanlal had to have part of his arm amputated. He lives with his family including his mother, wife and children, and runs a shop outside his house.

Sohanlal was frustrated and depressed with his life after his accident as he was unable to work, and his marriage was under a lot of strain. But support from Bikaner’s disabled people’s organisation enabled him to learn new skills, get back into employment and gain confidence, all of which helped save his relationship.

“ I am very happy as I am able to earn and take care of my family.”

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Sankarlal Sansi

Cataracts caused Sankarlal to lose his sight at the age of 14. He lives with his wife Gomati (pictured above right), two daughters and a son, and runs a shop near his house.

A loan from a government scheme for persons with disabilities supported him to expand his business by buying more goods. He works hard and his family and community encourage him.

“ I used to sit inside the house and my wife used to go to work and support me. People thought I was unproductive and pitied me.”

Sankarlal is now financially independent, and he’s proud to have shown that having a disability doesn’t mean that employment and income are out of reach.

“ All persons with disabilities can stand on their own feet and earn.”

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Saleh Magumba

Saleh goes to Bishop Willis school where specially trained teachers support visually impaired students to learn using Braille.

“ They help me learn reading, writing and Braille.”

Some of these teachers are visually impaired themselves which helps to encourage students, by demonstrating that disability doesn’t need to be a barrier to finding employment.

As one of Saleh’s teacher says:

“ Education for a blind person is the only thing he should wish for – through education you get total liberation.”

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Swabil Magumba

Swabil is blind and goes to Bishop Willis school along with Susan, Hamza and Saleh. Often parents of children with disabilities don’t realise that they can send their children to school or that they can learn just as effectively as others.

The inclusive education provided at Bishop Willis helps to reduce discrimination by enabling children to learn and socialise alongside each other.

“ I like maths and science. I like it here because the other children help me.”

This experience gives children like Swabil the skills to become positive role models for other children and abilities to gain employment and live independent lives.

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Bhanvari Devi

Bhanvari lost her sight after complications during pregnancy. Following this, her husband left her. She now lives with her parents and two children.

Bhanvari has received support to get her disability certificate, travel pass and regular pension and has been given training in household work.

She has a close friendship with Manju (pictured opposite left), who has been a positive role model, showing Bhanvari that it’s possible for persons with disabilities to live independently.

“ I dream of a society of equality in every aspect for persons with disabilities, where they lead a life of dignity and have equal opportunities in education and livelihood.”

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Dallu Kumari

Dallu lost her sight at the age of seven. Although she’s married, she doesn’t live with her husband, but stays with her father and sister.

“Because of m y blindness, when I move around even inside the house sometimes I fall or hit the wall… I rarely go out, maybe a couple of times a year.”

Her mother, who used to care for Dallu and support her, died three years ago. Since then Dallu has spent all day at home, mostly sitting on her bed as her family worry that she’ll get hurt if she goes out.

“ I can’t do anything and I don’t want to do anything. If you put the cot there and tell me to sit there I will do it.”

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Anuradha Pareek

At the age of one Anuradha fell into a fire, burning her face and hands. She was stressed, lacking in confidence and unhappy until she became involved with her local disabled people’s organisation where she learned about her rights and entitlements, and realised she could support others in her position.

She rose to become leader of the DPO, and has subsequently been elected as a local government director.

“ Now it’s time for disabled people, especially women with disabilities, to come out of their homes, build their confidence and lead a life with dignity so that other people can follow.”

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Shyam Sundar

Shyam has been visually impaired for the past 15 years. He has three brothers, two of whom are also blind. Shyam relies on his elder brother’s family to support him.

“ I simply sit at home; there is nothing to be happy about.”

Shyam stays in his room everyday doing his ‘puja’ (offerings to god) and dreams of starting a business, getting a small house and having a wife and family – but he can’t see how this will ever be a reality for him.

“ In society if you have no money and [no] work you are considered a burden and people won’t talk to you.”

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