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Projects & Products > Water and Sanitation > Wat-San Project

Water-Sanitation Project

This water and sanitation project for people with disabilities was planned as a direct result of a study carried out by the University of Loughborough’s (WEDC) in 2003 in Cambodia. The report highlighted that people with disabilities are severely neglected when water and sanitation projects are implemented. A relatively large percentage of Cambodia’s population has some form disability (amputees from landmines, car/motorbike accidents, polio). The disabled are often unable to access water and sanitation facilities that are predominantly designed for able-bodied people.

IMGA0410 DTW Challenge
The aim of this project was to assist people with disabilities to have access to appropriately modified water and sanitation facilities such as wells, ponds, rainwater collection systems, point-of-use water storage/filter facilities, bathing facilities and latrines.
With the participation and cooperation of disabled people, DTW helped to develop, manufacture and test appropriate designs and assistive devices. These included water-carrying equipment for wheelchairs, bathing chairs, water scoops for amputees, commode-type chairs for latrines and modified water pumps. A feedback mechanism was put in place to permit input from users and their caregivers to insure continued improvements.

The principal implementers of the project were the disabled people themselves. By giving them the opportunity to initiate such community development initiatives, the project promoted disabled people's participation in community life and helped to erode the social marginalisation many of them face.

Status

This project has been completed. All of its objectives were met. In fact, the project helped many more people than we had originally targeted and can be viewed as a complete success. We would like to thank the Big Lottery Fund of the UK for its support throughout the project.