Guidelines for Consulting with Children and Young People with Disabilities

It is crucial to consult with children and young people with disabilities as they are the experts of their own situation. However often it is not recognised that children and young people with disabilities can contribute to decision making processes and they are left out.

A programme’s effectiveness and inclusivity increases when children and young people with disabilities meaningfully contribute to all stages of programme planning. If their perspectives are not sought, they may be unintentionally excluded.

This document provides a guidance on the importance of consulting with children with disabilities. It provides practical suggestions for consulting with children and young people with disabilities in a variety of situations. It aims to equip individuals working on child rights with the knowledge and skills necessary to communicate with children with a variety of disabilities.

These guidelines set out tips and suggestions for the entire consultation process including: planning for the consultation, general considerations for consulting with children with disabilities, specific tips for communicating with children with different types of impairments, and some case study examples.