DRLFY17/18 Saudi Disability Rights

This is the same announcement as DRLA-DRL-AQM-18-028 The U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL) announces an open competition for organizations interested in submitting applications for projects that support DRLs goal is to support social and economic reforms in Saudi Arabia, including measures called for in Saudi Arabias Vision 2030 strategy, to create an environment in which civil society and NGOs can operate effectively. Bolstering citizen interest in the rights of persons with disabilities is an important avenue to advance these goals. DRL's objective is to increase the capacity and effectiveness of NGOs in promoting the rights of persons with disabilities, consistent with Saudi Arabia's commitments under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). Program approaches could include but are not limited to one or more of the following areas: Fostering constructive dialogue and engagement between Saudi civil society and government actors to strengthen respect for the rights of persons with disabilities, supporting implementation and enforcement of disability standards and laws; Raising awareness at all levels about the contributions of persons with disabilities and their families to the economic prosperity of society, as well as raising awareness of the economic, social, and individual costs of exclusion of persons with disabilities and their families; Providing technical assistance to educate the private sector and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), including Disabled Peoples Organizations (DPOs), on practices of non-discrimination and raising public awareness of the rights of persons with disabilities at the local and national levels; Providing technical assistance to DPOs to improve their internal organizational capacity and public advocacy efforts; Promoting non-discriminatory education or employment practices in the public and private sector; Promoting vocational training, vocational education, job readiness, and self-advoca