Inclusive WaSH is fundamental to achieving the future we want

2 min read
Inclusive WaSH website screenshot
Image: WaterAid

New Inclusive WaSH website, promoting best practice in WaSH access for all!

By Phoebe Maude, Bachelor of Health Science & International Development Intern, WaterAid Australia

Over the past year I have been working with WaterAid to revamp the Inclusive WaSH website. Our aim? To reignite an online space that promotes current best practice in inclusive water, sanitation and hygiene (WaSH) – inspiring learning and innovation across the sector globally as we work towards addressing barriers so that everyone everywhere has access to WaSH.

This week marks International Day of People with Disability, so I thought I’d shamelessly plug the website to show how important water and sanitation is to realising the human rights of people with disabilities:
http://www.inclusivewash.org.au/

Since its inception four years ago, the website has had a diverse geographical reach – it is a great platform and we were excited to be able to bring new life to it!

 

Inclusive WaSH website screenshot
Image: WaterAid

I first set out to see who was using it, what for, and through a survey we learnt:

  • Website content rated highly among users
  • 83.33% of respondents reported visiting the website at a frequency of every few month or more
  • “Finding new resources” was the most popular use of the website

Since then I’ve been busily updating the resource library and making sure all resources were current, accessible and adequately covered thematic areas relating to inclusive WaSH. Check out our resource library on disability in inclusive WaSH here.

Most excitingly has been the launch of a new “Community of Practice” section. With a Cambodia Community of Practice now live, and one for Timor-Leste and Papua New Guinea underway, “Communities of Practice” seeks to showcase what’s happening in various countries and the approaches and resources to implement inclusive WaSH. Cambodia’s Community of Practice page features some really catchy video resources: watch them here.

So this International Day of People with Disabilities, have a browse, share your ideas, watch a video and learn something new about how to reach and include people with disabilities in water, sanitation and hygiene, as we work towards achieving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals for the future we want.