Build

Building Capacity and Capability Across All Levels 

To achieve institutional goals, two things are vital – strong institutions and a strong workforce. This is also the case in establishing an inclusive environment for people with disability. However, in most cases, there is hardly sufficient resources for local governments to achieve their goal.

This inadequacy exists both with workforce capability and the local government’s capacity. In the case of the latter, this extends to the local government access to time, money, and people. Typically, each day there are new priorities that compete with the focus on people with disability. In turn, it becomes quite difficult for the local government to concentrate on just one area fully. 

In turn, to make economic inclusion for individuals with disability work, it becomes necessary for local governments to maximise the strength of the community at large. This way, strong institutions and a strong workforce can emerge.

Over the years, various local governments have committed themselves to build capacity and capability across all levels. These various activities that exemplify local governments commitment to investment in its local community to drive economic inclusion cut across the following categories.

Driving Strong Leadership

One constant commitment of local governments cut across driving strong leadership. This is a core aspect of driving the economic inclusion of people with disability. This is because it ensures that the core values of inclusion come to life in every strategy, program and plan of the local government.

Usually, this begins with considerable advocacy from members of the local government committee with an experience with disability. Following this, senior staff support across all levels emerge. This ensures that the commitment from members is broad and comprehensive.

Precisely, this ensures that there is a commitment towards creating a culture where access, inclusion, and consideration of the peculiarities of individuals with a disability remains prioritised. 

Building Staff Capacity

Another core aspect of commitment to building a strong workforce involves building staff capacity. This involves a process through which staffs gain sufficient awareness, knowledge, and understanding of the necessity for inclusion and access. This is essential as it contributes to a comprehensive approach to building an inclusive nation for people with disability.

Also, it ensures that staff can comply with their responsibilities under relevant laws. Local governments achieve this through staff training and disability awareness.

Allocate Resources

No doubt, there is a low amount of funding available to drive the various projects and programs required to promote inclusion and access. In turn, local governments must prioritise their financial needs as they seek to drive inclusion within the community.

Today, local governments continue to focus its resources to:

  • Drive disability inclusion and accessibility plans 
  • Enable collaboration of staffs across various departments 
  • Convene advisory groups on disability issues

Source Funding

One necessity for driving an inclusive environment is funding. Unfortunately, funds, especially discretionary funding, are not readily available to local government. In turn, local governments must actively seek funding that allows it to implement its various projects. 

Today, various sources of funding exist. Local governments continue to access this funding to achieve their goals.