ADVANCING THE RIGHTS OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES IN AFRICA

ADF is a continental forum to unify and amplify the voice of persons with disabilities, their families and organizations in Africa at national, regional and international levels, and to strengthen the capacity of organizations of persons with disabilities in Africa to promote the rights and inclusion of persons with disabilities and their families.

WHAT WE DO

The disability movement in Africa, composed of OPDs at all levels, is increasingly spearheading the fight for recognition and respect of the rights of persons with disabilities.

Economic Empowerment

The major issue for persons with disabilities and their families, identified by a majority of survey respondents (63%) throughout Africa, is access to income through employment/self-employment. Living with a disability not only affects the individual concerned, it also increases the vulnerability of the entire family.

Accessibility

This lack of accessibility permeates all spheres of life and deprives people with disabilities from social, economic and political participation. Indeed, persons with disabilities have limited access not only to services but also lack access to the legal system.

Education Opportunities

In most African countries, only a small proportion of children with disabilities attend school, due to lack of disability awareness and teachers trained in inclusive education, inaccessible school classrooms and toilets, and the low value given to children (particularly girls) with disabilities.

Make a Difference Now!

In 2021, approximately 1.3 billion people globally or 16 per cent of the population have disability, of which 80 per cent live in developing countries, according to the latest data on disability published by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Transform lives today by donating to help African Disability Forum achieve its goals.

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OUR PROJECTS

We are Able!

We are able! is a programme that helps people with disabilities achieve a sustainable, fully-fledged place in their community, so that they have greater food security.
We Are Able! wants to enable people with disabilities to stand up for their own rights and thus gain access to basic services – even in times of crisis.

SPADRA

Strengthening Partnerships to Advance Disability Rights in Africa.

The project’s overall objective is to advance gender and disability rights in Africa through strengthening Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) capacity and cross-disability and mainstream partnerships at Pan African, sub regional and national levels.

We Can Work

The We Can Work is a new initiative that will enable young women and men with disabilities to access dignified and fulfilling work. ADF, Light For The World and the Mastercard Foundation have partnered to enable young people to access dignified and fulfilling work by 2030.

The objective of the initiative is to promote inclusive systems and mindset that enable 150,000 young women and men with disabilities to access and engage in dignified and fulfilling work and participate in society as respected economic actors in seven countries in Africa.

our vision

An inclusive Africa where all persons with disabilities and their families have their rights and voices respected and participate actively in the life of their communities and nations.

our Mission

Promote the rights and inclusion of persons with disabilities and their families in Africa through empowerment and participation, unifying and amplifying their voices, and strengthening their organizations and partnerships.

OUR Latest News

ADF’s Keynote Address on Advancing Access to Justice for Persons with Disabilities in Africa

On 15 May 2025, Shitaye Astawes, Director for Advocacy and...

Call for Applications: External Evaluation of the We Are Able! Project

Are you a qualified evaluator or evaluation team with a...

Your input will guide ADF’s youth leadership program – take the survey

The African Disability Forum (ADF) is designing a Youth Leadership...

ADVOCACY FOR ENDORSEMENT OF THE AMMAN-BERLIN DECLARATION ON GLOBAL DISABILITY INCLUSION

On 2–3 April 2025, the Global Disability Summit in Berlin...

ADF EVENTS

ADF are actively engaging African OPD’s all over Africa organizing education programs and assisting African OPD’s with strengthening their efforts on the ground while amplify the voice of persons with disabilities, their families and organizations in Africa at national, regional and international levels, and to strengthen the capacity of organizations of persons with disabilities in Africa to promote the rights and inclusion of persons with disabilities and their families.

Be the Change... Make a Difference Now!

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ADF PARTNERS

ADF works with a wide range of NGOs, CBOs, Donor organisations and international partners

Here are some of the most prominent partners that as joined hands with us in our endeavours to unify and amplify the voice of persons with disabilities, their families and organizations in Africa at national, regional and international levels, and to strengthen the capacity of organizations of persons with disabilities in Africa