About ROPDB
Deaf-blindness in Rwanda started in 2011 as a project from the coalition of three organizations of persons with disabilities (Rwanda Union of the Blind (RUB), Rwanda National Union of the Deaf (RNUD) and Rwanda National Association of Deaf Women (RNADW)) they came across the county in their work and find persons with the dual disability of Deafness and Blindness that led to the hard difficulties to serve them.
Persons with Deafblindness were usually hidden and had no possibility to communicate since Deafblindness is a rare disability, they live far from each other and scattered in the country so few people have any idea on how to deal with their concerns.
It is strongly experienced to advocate for them in the areas of Education, Health and rehabilitation services, socio-economic development, livelihood, Empowerment, communication using sign language and communication of persons with Deaf-Blindness and Justice. Currently, the Organization had identified 350 persons with Deaf-Blindness in 4/30 working districts where 60% are children aged in school but not in school and 40% are Adults.
The organization is affiliated with the National Union of Disability Organizations in Rwanda (NUDOR), The Umbrella of the organizations of persons with disabilities in Rwanda (UOPDR), The East African Deafblind Network (EADBN) and Deafblind International (DBI).
Mission & Vision
Mission
Empowering Persons with Deaf-blindness to become agents of change, demand their rights, and affirm their dignity as human beings through advocacy and empowerment towards more robust community activism.
Vision
A situation where persons with Deaf-Blindness access all rights, enjoy equal, equitable opportunities, and actively participate in country development like other citizens.
Core Values
We are proud of our organisation's heritage and our family. This is borne out of our values, which are at the heart of what we do and how we work for a better future. Collectively we strive to ensure our day-to-day work and behaviours reflect these values.
Deaf-blind Self-Determination
Every deaf blind person in Rwanda is able to choose and participate in their fields of interest. Leadership opportunities have no barriers to inclusion, and confidence is raised. The critical nature of access to information for informed decision-making is understood and supported. All persons with Deaf blindness have a place in the principles of the UNCRPD (United Nations Convention on the Right of Persons with Disabilities) and Sustainable Development Goals.
Innovation
We seek out new ideas to guide the development of services and change. We value our bespoke, creative and flexible approaches. We aim to inspire.
Responsive
We take pride in listening to individual's views and always strive to do our very best.
Empathy
We champion the wellbeing of individuals and treat everyone with kindness. Respect and dignity are the cornerstones of our behaviour.
Integrity
We are committed to working honestly, openly and with respect. We believe in consistently doing the right thing with fairness and equality.
Our Programs
ROPDB runs several key programs to empower persons with Deaf-Blindness and advocate for their rights across Rwanda.
Communication
The organisation's foundation is communication through tactile sign language, braille and other communication methods for persons with Deaf-Blindness. We empower people with Deaf-Blindness, their family members, tactile sign language interpreters, government institutions, private institutions and the community on how to communicate with persons with Deaf-Blindness.
Justice
We advocate for access to inclusive justice and the rights of Persons with Deaf-Blindness, and work to protect against any form of violence directed at persons with Deaf-Blindness in Rwanda.
Social and Economic Empowerment
The organisation empowers its members on social welfare and their rights, and supports them economically. We also advocate to government institutions and other parties to support those poor families.
Health
We promote and advocate for access to inclusive health services, provision of rehabilitation to persons with Deaf-Blindness, and Inclusive Sexual Reproductive Health (SRHR) for persons with Deaf-Blindness in Rwanda.
Access to Education
ROPDB promotes initial learning for Persons with Deaf-Blindness and conducts advocacy activities to government institutions and other stakeholders to make education services for children with Deaf-Blindness inclusive and accessible.
Organisational Development
ROPDB strengthens its own institutional capacity, as well as that of its members, to effectively fulfil its mission and objectives and enable its members to support Persons with Deaf-Blindness at all levels.
Our Objectives
ROPDB is guided by the following key objectives in its work to advance the rights and wellbeing of persons with Deaf-Blindness in Rwanda.
- Strive for tactile sign language to be recognised by society as a whole and by members especially through workshops.
- Fight for education of children and young Persons with Deaf-Blindness.
- Advocate in the relevant government institutions for the recognition of the real statistics of Persons with Deaf-Blindness.
- Strengthen the organisational capacity of Persons with Deaf-Blindness and its members, especially with the aim of promoting it, and encourage them to fully participate in government programs.
- Build synergy with organizations of Persons with disabilities and others whether in Rwanda or internationally, with the goal of developing the organization of Persons with Deaf-Blindness.
- Coordinate and support parents or families of children while aiming at socio-economic development to improve the lives of Persons with Deaf-Blindness.
Our Partners
