CCYDN

Strengthen the voices of children and young people with disabilities throughout the Commonwealth, via increasing awareness of their Rights and supporting their Participation and Inclusion.

Objectives of the CCYDN

The Commonwealth Children and Youth Disability Network (CCYDN) has been driven and developed by Include Me TOO following from the lack of representation and participation of children and young people with disabilities from the Commonwealth. The Commonwealth Children and Youth Disability Network (CCYDN) is a disabled youth led network (including those who work with, or have set up, DPOs or NGOs working with children and young people with disabilities) whose mission is to strengthen the voices of children and young people with disabilities throughout the Commonwealth, via increasing awareness of their Rights and supporting their Participation and Inclusion. The aim is to increase access to platforms for youth with disabilities as changemakers, and to influence positive change on issues that matter to them. CCYDN recognises that children and young people with disabilities have much to say and contribute as changemakers and influencers in policy and delivery and their inclusion, contributions, lived experiences have an important role to play.

Would you like to join the Commmonwealth Children and Youth Disability Network (CCYDN)?

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The Commonwealth Secretariat, through its Commonwealth Youth Programme (CYP) will continue to support the Commonwealth Children & Youth Disability Network as a practical response to the Heads of Government mandate to ‘address the stigma around disability in all its forms and manifestations, ensuring that no one is left behind’. By working with young people with disabilities who are promoting their right to included and to participate in decision making at all levels, we come closer to fulfilling the vision of a society where our young people lead the change they want to see in a fairer, more prosperous and inclusive society for all. The CYP will work with the all the relevant partners and agencies to give voice and space to children & young people with disabilities to lead their own agenda in the Commonwealth. #NowIsTheTime.

Layne Robinson, Head of Social Policy Development, Commonwealth Secretariat.

The Royal Commonwealth Society has a strong record of working in support of diversity and inclusion and the empowerment of young people in the Commonwealth. We are excited to be supporting the voice of Commonwealth young people with disabilities through the youth-led Commonwealth Children & Youth Disability Network, and to be working with Include Me TOO and the Commonwealth Secretariat.

Helen Jones MBE, Head of Programmes and Youth, RCS

We are looking forward to continuing the development and increasing support for the Commonwealth Children and Youth Disability Network (CCYDN) in partnership with the Royal Commonwealth Society and working alongside the Commonwealth Secretariat to achieve inclusion, rights and representation of children and young people disabilities increasing reach and engagement across the Commonwealth to ensure their voices are heard, improve access and inclusion so they may reach their full potential and have their contributions, achievements recognised and valued.

Parmi Dheensa (Include Me TOO Founder and Executive Director)

CCYDN News:

Join the CCYDN

Become a member of CCYDN (Commonwealth Children & Youth Disability Network) By joining CCYDN you can: Be involved with current and future CCYDN projects and initiatives. Have the opportunity to share your achievements, your experiences, events and opportunities through CCYDN network. Connect with other disabled young people to network, share ideas, experiences, views, have your…

Call for Applications for CCYDN Executive Committee 2023-2025

Join the Executive Committee Member of the COMMONWEALTH CHILDREN AND YOUTH DISABILITY NETWORK (CCYDN) a Commonwealth Youth Network (CYN) Extended Deadline: 11.59pm (GMT) on Friday 20th January 2023. Only successful shortlisted applicants will be contacted and invited to take part in online interviews taking place on week commencing Monday 31st January 2023, For enquiries or…

Children & Young People with Disabilities Human Rights and their Roles as Advocates/Changemakers within the Disability and Youth Movements

Side event at the 14th session of the Conference of State Parties to the CRPD Friday 18th June 2021 8.30am to 9.45am (New York) 1.30pm to 2.45pm (London) 3.30pm to 4.45pm (Nairobi) 6.00pm to 7.15pm (Delhi) Join the Commonwealth Children and Youth Disability Network (CCYDN) who will be showcasing the vital role and contributions of…

Training Workshop – COVID-19 Hospital Communication Passport

The COVID-19 Hospital Communication Passport has been developed to support efforts for a disability inclusive COVID-19 response to the health and medical needs of children, young people and adults with disabilities.   Who can attend: This workshop is for organisations and young people with disabilities who want to use the resource to improve healthcare access…

Young People with Disabilities IDEAS Capacity Building Programme

The Inclusion, Disability, Equality, Action and Support Capacity Building Programme will support young people with disabilities to increase and build their skills and confidence as Disability Rights Representatives, Changemakers and Advocates. Sharing ideas and creating solutions for A Better Future!   Masterclass 1  The role of digital platforms and tech for better inclusion and accessibility Wednesday…

CCYDN London 2019

The Commonwealth Children and Youth Disability Network (CCYDN) convened its first strategic meeting in London during August 2019, following its official launch during Commonwealth Week in March this year. The network aims to increase access to various platforms designed to help young disabled people influence positive change on issues which matter to them. Include Me…

The First Commonwealth Children and Youth Disability Network

Strengthening the voices and inclusion of children and youth with disabilities in the throughout the Commonwealth. The Commonwealth Children and Youth Disability Network (CCYDN) has convened its first strategic meeting in London, following its official launch during Commonwealth Week earlier this year. The network aims to increase access to various platforms designed to help young…

Disabled Young People from across the Globe gathered at the First ever ‘Commonwealth Disabled Youth Roundtable event’ during CHOGM in London

Include Me TOO, a national (United Kingdom-based) charity celebrated their 10th Anniversary this year during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2018 held in London. During the CHOGM Summit the charity organised the first ever  Commonwealth Disabled Youth Roundtable Event as part of the‘Commonwealth Include Me 2’ joint project led by Include Me TOO with the Commonwealth Youth Council to…