Farafenni – Mr. Lamin Fatajo, retired director from the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, delivered a compelling presentation emphasising the critical importance of disability inclusion in national policies and strategies. He highlighted that disability inclusion means intentionally integrating the needs and perspectives of persons with disabilities in policy design, implementation, and evaluation to ensure equitable access to education, employment, healthcare, and civic participation.
Mr. Fatajo's mde these remarks while presenting a paper on Disability Inclusion in Policies and Strategies during a multi stakeholders forum on the inclusion of persons with disabilities into policies held at the Wallimann Hotel in Farafenni, North Bank Region, from 21 to 22 August 2025.
Mr. Fatajo outlined three key models of disability, namely - The Charity Model, criticized for promoting dependency; The Medical Model, which overlooks social barriers; and The Social Model, advocating barrier removal and empowerment based on rights.
He stressed foundational principles such as accessibility (physical, digital, and communication), intersectionality, and reasonable accommodations in workplaces and schools.
Mr. Fatajo explained the "twin-track" approach comprising both mainstreaming disability issues into all policies and targeted interventions. He pointed to international frameworks like the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) and strategies such as UNICEF’s Disability Inclusion Policy as benchmarks for inclusive development.
Highlighting effective communication, he urged the use of inclusive language like “person with a disability” and avoiding stigmatising terms. Mr. Fatajo also detailed best practices for consultations, underscoring the necessity of involving persons with disabilities in decision-making processes, using various accessible formats, and ensuring respectful dialogue.
On monitoring and evaluation, he identified key areas including accessibility, participation, equity, non-discrimination, and measuring real-world impacts like improved education and employment outcomes. He called for ongoing inclusive policy reviews and data-driven assessments.
Concluding with a strong call to action, Mr. Fatajo reminded stakeholders of the mantra “Nothing About Us Without Us,” advocating for people-centered policies developed through robust consultations and informed by objective data.
His presentation underscored that disability inclusion promotes social justice, economic growth, community resilience, and overall well-being, outlining a roadmap for The Gambia to build a truly inclusive future.
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