Promoting Disability Inclusion and Information Accessibility in Cambodia

UNESCO, in collaboration with the Cambodian Disabled Peoples Organization (CDPO) and the Ministry of Information, has provided trainings to a total of 139 provincial information department officials from 24 provinces, to build their understanding and capacity to better respond to the information needs of persons with disabilities, to provide quality public services and strengthen their inclusive civic participation.

The series of trainings was built on the knowledge generated from the Information Needs Assessment for Persons with Disabilities conducted by UNESCO and the Cambodia Development Resource Institute (CDRI), which identified the needs and main barriers of persons with disabilities when accessing information. The training curriculum has a specific focus on disability inclusion development, access to information and disability inclusive policies and laws, including the National Disability Strategic Plan.

Mr. Hun Bunleang, Deputy Director of Kep Provincial Information Department, expressed his gratitude for being able to take part to the training, alongside five other Information Department officials. He noted that he could learn the definition of the concepts of “Disability”, and “Inclusion”, and asserted “I plan on sharing what I have learned with my colleagues, my family members, and my community, to better understand the matter of disabilities. It is crucial for everyone to know about it”.

This was echoed by the other participants, as Ms. Pech Buttom, Deputy Director of Television Programme in the Kampot Provincial Information Department, remarked “I am planning to produce short videos and inform the public about the rights of persons with disabilities to access information through television and social media platforms”. Ms. Chhun Marady, Deputy Director of Television Programme, Preah Sihanouk Ville Information Department further commented on the need to raise public awareness on the information needs of individuals with disabilities: “I want to show that they have a right to receive updated information. From here on, people with disabilities can better communicate with and participate in the society.”