Jean Francois Favory
Vice President of Voice of DPI (Mauritius)

Jean-Francois Favory became paraplegic at the age of 7 years old as a result of a medical error. Since then, and despite all obstacles, he has continued his primary and secondary studies and passed all examinations. He has been working for 18 years now, driving his own car independently. He started in a company, then as a self-employed, in graphic design and computer maintenance until he joined a call center. After being promoted to supervisory and management roles for another 3 years, he shifted to a bank, which he left after 7 years to devote himself to volunteer work in an NGO handling the administration and the sports club. He dedicates his time ensuring that all people with disabilities have the right to equal opportunity, to be economically self-sufficient, and to earn and save without jeopardizing access to the services and supports that allow them to live and work independently. Jean-Francois Favory intends to continue his work after the 2017 Mandela Washington Fellowship, and to fight for the well-being of children and adults with physical disabilities, to help them to become autonomous and to participate in all activities not merely as beneficiaries but also as potential and actual providers.