Keystone Human Services International, Keystone Autism Services, and Keystone Moldova collaborated to provide consultation to a Tajikistan parent advocacy group on supporting young adults with autism and other developmental disability to live and work in the community. Through two 2-hour webinars with the parent advocacy network, we explored vocational training, job opportunities, and supported employment, as well as deinstitutionalization, supported and independent living approaches, and alternatives to institutionalization.
We offer support and technical assistance to governments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), foundations, international development organizations, and other stakeholders looking to end institutionalization, develop sustainable community-based services, and contribute to a more inclusive society that recognizes the rights of people with disability. In addition to developing the legal framework for new services, we provide support to evaluate the needs of children, adults, and families and connect people to existing resources and natural supports.
We have provided consultation and technical assistance in Azerbaijan, Belarus, India, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Romania, Russia, and the United States supporting local and national governments to reform their systems of care for people with disability, and local NGOs to implement inclusive, community-based services.
Inclusive education is a key part of transforming systems to include everyone. Keystone Human Services provides consultation to governments, schools, educators, and other professionals to develop the framework and implement inclusive education so students with disability are included in typical classrooms with nondisabled students. Our work focuses on all aspects of building an inclusive education system, including increasing the capacity of local public authorities, schools and educators to develop and adapt rich curricula and an accessible environment, increasing students’ access to support services within the education system, and providing education to parents of students with and without disability about the benefits of inclusive education.
Since 2014, Keystone Human Services International (KHSI) has had special consultative status with the United Nations, which allows the UN’s Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) to seek expert information or advice from KHSI and gives us the opportunity to participate in events, conferences, and activities of the United Nations.
A major focus of the United Nations are the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) calling for a more inclusive world and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) to protect the rights of people with disability and end institutionalization. Disability is part of the human experience, and we recognize that developing and transforming the world is directly linked to disability rights and inclusion for all people.
We are pleased to have this opportunity through our special consultative status to participate in UN activities and continue to promote inclusion for all people across the globe.
Read our contribution (page 166-167) to the EOCSOC statement for the July 2020 High Level Political Forum of the UN.
Learn more about our side events at COSP 10, COSP11, COSP12, and COSP13.
