a) Contribution towards the facilitation of the growth and development of the disability movement in Africa which has resulted to the establishment of a credible African voice of people with disability.
b) Capacity building included imparting skills in policy development work, developing sectoral competencies and improving governance and organisational management amongst DPOs which has contributed to improving the credibility of the sector.
c) Prioritised the use of evidence-based research not only to influence policies but also to provide factual information on the situation of people with disabilities and in disability programming processes that actively involve persons with disabilities which has further contributed to filling the gap in knowledge on the situation of people with disability. This has been done through the formation of strategic alliances with academic and research institutions.
d) Relations brokering – SADPD has succeeded in engaging governments in selected countries on issues of disability monitoring and implementation of the Decade. This has resulted in the development of National Disability Mainstreaming Strategies (NDMS) that are based on a common vision shared by DPOs/CSOs and governments in Rwanda, Tanzania, Senegal, and Namibia.
Some of our key achievements include:
• Using diplomacy and high-level advocacy to develop strategies that mainstream disability in development plans
• Recognition of DPOs by government as key actors in civil society
• DPOs able to conduct dialogue and lobby government in collaboration with like-minded organisations
• Mainstreaming of disability in HIV/AIDS
• Public and development organisations are undertaking more inclusive activities
• More attention being given to inclusive education by governments through input of resources and capacity building
• Increased support of DPOs by governments in Francophone countries to enable them to offer services and
social protection
Future Plans:
• Mainstreaming disability in development plans
• Using international relations and diplomacy to mobilise resources for disability programmes
• Facilitate Development Cooperation
