Disability campaign launches in Ireland with photo exhibition

Sightsavers has launched its Put Us in the Picture campaign in Ireland with a week-long photography exhibition, highlighting the campaign’s call for global development to be inclusive of people with disabilities.

Speakers at the launch event included Sightsavers Ireland CEO Charlie Lamson; Sightsavers’ West Africa Regional Director Fatoumata Diouf; Sarah McGrath from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade; and TDs Finian McGrath and Maureen O’Sullivan.

The exhibition features the work of award-winning photographer Graeme Robertson, and focuses on the experiences of people with disabilities in Cameroon in claiming their rights to political participation.

A billion people around the world have some form of disability, of which 800 million live in developing countries. Throughout its history, Sightsavers has supported people with visual impairments and other disabilities to have the same opportunities in life as everyone else. Put Us in the Picture continues this work by calling for political representatives to make sure that development policy prioritises people with disabilities, who are often denied basic human rights including education, employment, access to health care and political participation.

In 2018, Ireland ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which states that countries must guarantee full rights and equality to people with disabilities. By ratifying the CRPD, Ireland has committed to combatting stereotypes and prejudices,  and ensuring equal access to education, training, health services and political participation. It has also pledged to promote the advancement of women and girls with disabilities, who are often marginalised on the grounds of both gender and disability.

The exhibition runs until 6 March at the Irish Emigration Museum (EPIC) in Dublin.

Watch the video below to learn more about the Put Us in the Picture campaign (or view the text alternative).