Ms. Scader Louis is a woman with a disability and a disability rights advocate. She is the active Commissioner (and former Chair) of the Malawi Human Rights Commission and serves as Risk and Compliance Manager for World Vision Malawi. She is the co-founder of the Spinal Injuries Association of Malawi, Deputy Chairperson of the Federation of Disability Organizations in Malawi and Treasurer General of the Commonwealth Disabled Peoples Forum. Scader is also a committee member on the Policy and Programs Committee of the National Planning Commission, a 2023/24 Fellow at the Centre for Inclusive Policy, and a Consultant for Mobility International USA, focusing on Gender, Disability, Inclusion, and Access.

IVLP Impact Award Project: Empowering Persons with Disabilities Through Legal Awareness

This project bridges the gap between Malawi's new Persons with Disabilities Bill and practical advocacy efforts. By creating accessible legal resources (audio, braille, sign language videos) and collaborating with organizations of persons with disabilities, the project empowers persons with disabilities to understand and fight for their rights. This initiative aims to create a more inclusive Malawi where everyone can participate and thrive.

So far, Scader has completed the initial planning phase, identified subject matter experts and conducted a planning meeting to discuss and strategize the project’s implementation. The project organized an in-person meeting to determine key thematic areas for the easy read format, followed by a working session to translate these areas, and a virtual meeting to validate them with stakeholders. 

Scader is also collaborating with the U.S Embassy and the Ministry of Disability. She states that “the collaborative efforts involving subject matter experts and stakeholders have fostered a stronger sense of inclusion and participation, contributing to long-term positive impacts on accessibility and legal empowerment for the disability community." 

 

 

''Knowledge is power. By empowering persons with disabilities through accessible legal resources, we can break down barriers and create a more inclusive society where everyone can thrive.''- Scader Louis

IVLP Exchange Experience

Scader participated in the IVLP Project Human and Civil Rights for Marginalized Communities II, organized by the U.S. Department of State and Meridian International Center, in partnership with International House, Tulsa Global Alliance, World Affairs Council Seattle, and WorldBoston.

Scader’s exchange experience led to the development of her project: “My recent international exchange program highlighted the importance of accessibility and disability rights knowledge in empowering persons with disabilities to advocate for change. In the United States, the Americans with Disabilities Act has been a powerful tool used by disability rights advocates to influence change in so many aspects. This experience made me realize that awareness and accessible legal formats are crucial, especially in contexts like Malawi with higher illiteracy rates.”

“Through discussions in Charlotte and Washington, DC (including at the Department of State), I saw the powerful link between accessible legal resources and a more inclusive society. Understanding disability rights instruments in user-friendly formats empowers individuals and transforms lives for the better. This experience sparked my passion to focus on this specific area.” - Scader Louis

U.S. Communities Visited 

Washington, DC; Boston, MA; Charlotte, NC; Tulsa, OK; Seattle, WA

Country: Malawi

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