Collaboration in disability policies - collaboration between stakeholders of disability policies in the South and in the North

Four studies have been recently undertaken at the Centre for international Child Health on the collaboration between the stakeholders of disability po licies, in Southern and Northern countries. Informed by the literature, the authors have explored the roles disabled people's organizations, non-gover nmental organizations, government and professionals play in the design, pro vision and evaluation of services for disabled people. They also highlight the different forms participation can take and their most relevant features . The main factors influencing collaboration processes are then classified in three different categories: social factors, ideology-related factors and p roject-related factors. They are subsequently analysed. The first group enc ompasses the societal framework in which collaboration may take place, whil e the identity of the stakeholders is reflected in the ideology-related fac tors. The nature of the activities undertaken by stakeholders is characteri zed by the third group of factors. In the conclusion it is suggested that stakeholders, and especially disable d people's counterparts, should increase their awareness of the social mode l of disability, adopt participatory practices and promote participation at higher levels. However, they should acknowledge that it implies more trust between partners and an alteration of their structures.