Institut für inklusive Entwicklung

Call for Papers - Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs)

Find the current Call for Papers and other important information if you are interested in contributing to the journal.

2022-2 Call for Papers

Theme: Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs)

Organisations of persons with disabilities (OPDs) are the core pillar of disability advocacy worldwide. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) states that persons with disabilities should be included in all disability-related matters. Article 4.3 calls for their involvement in the implementation of the CRPD through representative organisations. Hence, OPDs play a key role in promoting the participation of persons with disabilities in decision-making processes and in implementing disability-inclusive development, thus building an inclusive society. The involvement of OPDs in decision-making and development processes is essential to ensure the voices of persons with disabilities are considered and that they can participate equally in all aspects of society; everywhere in the world. OPDs work persistently to realise the motto "Nothing without us”.

On the one hand, the active participation of persons with disabilities and their organisations has been poorly implemented for decades. Persons with disabilities have been fighting for the right to be at the centre of decision-making about their own lives and path towards equity. Governments, development organisations and other stakeholders have often failed to consult persons with disabilities and OPDs, and have designed policies and interventions accordingly. On the other hand, OPDs are now increasingly included in most development programs that involve persons with disabilities. This development is also accompanied by the fact that the organizational structure and capacities of OPDs have grown considerably in recent decades. But as in other areas of disability, there is little data on the work and impact of OPDs on legislative and policy processes as well as on the participation, access, and well-being of persons with disabilities.

Against this background, issue 2022-2 of the Journal “Disability and International Development” is intended to review the state of OPDs and take a closer look at opportunities, challenges, good practices, and lessons learned regarding their mode of operation and work. We invite researchers and experts with a practical background to contribute (through theoretical or empirical articles) to any of the following topics:

• the work and impact of OPDs on a practical and political level,
• opportunities, needs and ways forward for the engagement and participation of OPDs at the international level,
• programmes, concepts, and practices by OPDs that promote disability-inclusion and sustainability,
• experiences, successes, challenges, and lessons learned of OPDs in the areas of social and individual empowerment, advocacy, independent living, and social inclusion,
• organisational capacity, composition, and membership of OPDs as well as possible disadvantaging factors for, e.g., women with disabilities, refugees with disabilities or rural dwellers with disabilities in OPDs.

Before you send us your suggestion, please read the “Information for Authors” first and then contact the coordinating editor via e-mail then:

Judith Langensiepen (langensiepen@bezev.de)

Deadline for submission of papers: October 1, 2022