a. Definition of Intellectual Disability
Intellectually disability refers to difficulties some people face in learning and often communicating. Typically, present from birth or an early age, persons with intellectual disabilities often require lifelong support. Formerly referred to “mental retardation” persons with intellectual disabilities have rejected this label and prefer intellectual disability or developmental disability. Often the most serious challenges people with intellectual disabilities face are the stereotypes and negative assumptions of others.
b. KAIH’s Approach
KAIH views intellectual disability in terms of provision of support needs of people with intellectual disabilities. This approach is aimed at eliminating the “disability” barriers in the environment and it affirms that all human beings irrespective of their disabilities have certain rights which are inalienable. The approach further builds upon the spirit of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities according to which, “all human beings are born free and equal in rights and dignity.”Thus our goal is to foster positive mindset and attitude about intellectual disability through various programs. The core intervention is to empower our members through trainings, advocacy and information sharing to enable them be fully aware of their human rights and to actualize their full potential.
c. Objectives of KAIH
KAIH’s overall objective is to build a society that recognizes and protects the rights of PWIDs and their families to ensure that they are included in all aspects of life within their communities.
This overall objective is reinforced by the following as the organization’s specific objectives:
- To empower PWID’s, and their families in the whole country
- To create awareness on the rights of PWIDs including the right to appropriate and relevant education, right to good health and well-being, and right to social security.
- To lobby and advocate for the rights of PWIDs and their families
- To facilitate the formation of parent support groups
- To foster mutual help and cooperation between parents, relatives and friends of the intellectually handicapped themselves, other disability organizations, both national and international.
- To carry out research on intellectual disabilities with the aim of improving the quality and conditions of life with the intellectually disabled and their families.
- To nurture and support self-representation by starting local committees for PWIDs