This event will focus on the voices and experiences of two young activists with disabilities: one from South Africa and one from Northern Ireland. Chaeli and Aurelia will share their views on the theme of educational inclusion, aspirations, expectations and rights for young people with disabilities.

Chaeli Mycroft is a South African ability activist with cerebral palsy who won the International Children’s Peace Prize in 2011. In 2004 Chaeli (aged 9) co-founded The Chaeli Campaign in Cape Town to raise funds for her motorized wheelchair. It is now a social justice organisation that focuses on inclusion, disability rights advocacy & support.

In 2012, at the World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates in Chicago, she was awarded the Peace Summit Medal for Social Activism on behalf of all Nobel Peace Laureates. She was also awarded the 2013 World of Children Award (Youth category) and 2018 Obama Foundation African Leader. She is the first female quadriplegic to summit Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, the highest free-standing mountain in the world.

 

Aurelia is a 12-year-old secondary school pupil who has become known for speaking out to ensure inclusive children’s rights-based practices within the education system in Northern Ireland.  Aurelia is a wheelchair user with cerebral palsy who became a client of CLC when she was unable to go to second level education for the first 4 months of term due to failure of public authorities to plan for necessary facilities, staff and equipment.  Aurelia thought about the children with disabilities who came before her in mainstream schools and those who are would come after her and she decided to speak out publicly, saying “I want the government to know my name”. 

Aurelia allowed CLC to tell her story to the Education Committee at the Northern Ireland Assembly.  She went to Parliament Buildings and spoke directly with members of the Education Committee about the impact of exclusion upon her and the need for real inclusion in mainstream schools.  The Education Minister came to meet her when he heard about her visit.  Aurelia went on to be interviewed by the BBC and spoke of her experience and the need for positive change.  Aurelia has shown by her positive example how children can lead as strong advocates for the realization of full inclusion, breaking down barriers to equality of opportunity through the exercise of children’s rights. 

 

If you have any queries contact Prof Bronagh Byrne b.byrne@qub.ac.uk