Participation
Nothing about us without us
We are dedicated to creating an inclusive world where children and young people with disabilities have a voice in decision-making. Too often, their perspectives are overlooked in important conversations. Read on to learn more about the power of participation, and the impact it has had. We also feature relevant theories, a list of external resources, and inspiring success stories that emphasize the power of participation.
In 2025, we are advocating for this message at the Global Summit in Berlin. Follow our youth ambassador Eric Ngabonziz from Rwanda, who has a disability himself, as he joins us at this global event. How does he experience being part of this important movement?
Breaking barriers for young people with disabilities
Young people with disabilities face extra challenges when trying to participate in decision-making, including:
- Misconceptions: The belief that they lack the skills or experience to contribute.
- Stereotypes: Discrimination that limits their voice and participation.
These barriers prevent full involvement and exclude them from shaping the policies that affect their lives. Sadly, many “inclusive” spaces fail to address the extra accessibility needs required for true inclusion.
Why their voice matters
The powerful phrase “Nothing about us, without us” reminds us that young people with disabilities must be included in decisions that impact them. Yet, many policies are created without their input, making them less effective. In 2022, only 66% of town halls, 63% of ministries, and 48% of NGOs were accessible to wheelchair users.
Meaningful participation is a human right—guaranteed by both the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (Article 29) and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (Article 12).
Explaining the concept
The Flower of Participation, developed by CHOICE for Youth and Sexuality and YouAct, is a tool that can be used to explain the concept of Meaningful Youth Participation (MYP).
Discover Liliane Fonds’ journeys of participation
- My Body is Mine: sexual education for children with disabilities
- Youth Council set to take Women Deliver by storm! | Liliane Fonds
- Meeting Princess Mabel in Rwanda | Liliane Fonds
- BodyTalk Documentary | English subtitles
Contact
If you found this information useful, or would like to share more tools and resources for inclusion, please contact:
Daphne Visser, Advocacy & SRHR adviser
Lisanne van der Steeg, Lobby and Advocacy Lead