Field Note: Partnering with Persons with Disabilities for Inclusive WASH in Timor Leste

Partnering with an organization of persons with disabilities (OPD) in Timor-Leste provided the UNICEF WASH programme with essential skills and expertise to strengthen the accessibility of new and existing WASH infrastructure. Persons with different types of disabilities teamed up with UNICEF WASH engineers to assess infrastructure, providing firsthand user insights and recommendations for the designs. Working with the WASH team had a catalytic impact with the scope of the partnership expanded to also assess and improve the accessibility of youth centres and the office of the Secretary of State for Youth and Sports in Timor-Leste. Improving the accessibility of infrastructure, including WASH facilities, in public places is critical to ensure persons with disabilities can participate equally in society.