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IF announces a call for input to inform the Special Rapporteur’s forthcoming report to the 79th session of the UN General Assembly in October 2024. A Survey to Assess the Involvement of SBH Associations in the Implementation of SDGs.

Technology has always played an important role in facilitating the mobility and accessibility for persons with disabilities, including the global Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus (SBH) community. Now more than ever people and communities are becoming increasingly reliant on technologies for various aspects of private and public life, including in education. 

IF joined the #ZeroCon24 in its mission to ensure zero barriers towards education. IF's Secretary General Dr Sylvia Roozen provided an Impulse Statement and moderated a session whereby Zero Project Awardees among others focussed on proven solutions that support disabled individuals in remote areas, focusing on early disorder detection and assistive devices. The session is broadcasted from the United Nations Office in Vienna, Austria.

In an upcoming statement, IF calls for a greater awareness and urgent action towards the needs of persons with Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus (SBH) in time of conflict and humanitarian crisis. According to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), a humanitarian crisis includes man-made conflict, natural disasters or pandemics – or all of them. This raises concerns on human-rights and exacerbate pre-existing human rights vulnerabilities, especially for persons with disabilities.

On September 16 2023, IF youth member LauraRosillo Beneyto represented the global disability community on behalf of IF and IDA at the youth pillar "Torchbearers for the SDGs: Meaningful Youth Engagement & the 2030 Agenda" during the SDG Action Weekend as part of the SDG Summit at the UN Headquarter in New York. Re-watch the speech by Laura here!

The IF International Youth Group SBH was present during the Independent Living Day at the European Parliament, Brussels. An important day to raise awareness on the topic of independent living: “Every person has the right to live where he wants, with whom he wants. Everyone has the right to manage his own life” - Kateryna Shcherbyna.