The African Disability Forum is the continental membership organization of Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) in Africa. ADF currently has members from 44 African countries (National Federations of Organization of Persons with Disabilities), 9 continental OPDs and 4 sub-regional OPDs. ADF is committed to unifying and amplifying the voice of persons with disabilities, their […]

African Disability Forum (ADF) recognizes the paramount significance and importance of the African Union’s (AU) adoption of the Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (CEVAWG) in February 2025 and congratulates all involved parties. Once ratified by African states, CEVAWG will play a crucial role in protecting the human rights of women and girls, […]

In strengthening and amplifying the voices of young women and men with disabilities, 2024 saw African Disability Forum with its members from 7 African countries pilot the youth led advocacy intervention of the We Can Work Programme. ADF is a strategic partner in a consortium led by Light for the World in partnership with Mastercard […]

#IDPD2024: Empowering Disability Leadership for Global Inclusion and Sustainability The African Disability Forum extends its solidarity to all persons with disabilities globally as we commemorate the 2024 UN International Day for Persons with Disabilities (IDPD). Under the theme, “Amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future,” we emphasize the critical […]

As one of the final activities under the Civil Society Strengthening Program, in partnership with Save the Children International, a three-day Disability-Inclusive Child Rights Training of Trainers was successfully held in Nairobi, Kenya, from 28-30 November 2024. The training brought together dedicated participants from across the East Africa region, all passionate about turning knowledge into […]

We are thrilled to announce the successful completion of ADF’s Disability-Inclusive Child Rights Training of Trainers held in Johannesburg, South Africa from 23 – 25 September 2024. Under the Civil Society Strengthening Program, implemented in partnership with Save the Children International, this three-day training brought together passionate participants from the Southern Africa Federation of the […]

The African Disability Conference, which began on September 2, 2024, in Nairobi, marked a historic milestone as Africa’s first OPD-led event. This was followed by the African Regional Pre-Summit on September 5. Hosted by the African Disability Forum (ADF) in collaboration with the International Disability Alliance (IDA), Sightsavers International, and other partners, the conference brought […]

Today, eight disability organisations representing both regional and global interests, sent a formal letter to members of the Paris Agreement criticising the exclusion of the disability movement from UN climate negotiations, mostly due to unnecessary bureaucracy. The organisations explain that the UN is stalling in the creation of an official constituency of persons with disabilities, […]

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY MEETING OF THE AFRICAN DISABILITY FORUM HELD ON 1 SEPTEMBER 2024 IN NAIROBI, KENYA The African Disability Forum concludes its General Assembly in Kenya with the election of a new Board/Executive Council. The African Disability Forum (ADF), the leading umbrella organization representing organizations of persons with disabilities across Africa, successfully concluded its […]

From September 2-5, 2024, the African Disability Forum (ADF) in collaboration with the International Disability Alliance (IDA) and Sightsavers International is hosting a first-of-its-kind regional conference titled “Persons with Disabilities in a Post-Pandemic World: Redefining the Inclusive Development & Humanitarian Agenda in Africa” in Nairobi, Kenya. This Summit marks a significant milestone in the collective […]

This week the African Disability Forum through its Strengthening Partnerships to Advance Disability Rights in Africa (SPADRA) program held a capacity strengthening workshop in Nairobi, Kenya for experts from Disabled Women in Africa (DIWA) and Inclusion Africa (IA) Alumni from Bridge-CRPD-SDGs and Young African Women with Disabilities. The workshop’s focus is to understand and unpack […]

Under the Stakeholder Group of Persons with Disabilities, a Thematic Group on Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Action (TG-DRRCA) has been established to support the engagement of persons with disabilities, their representative organizations and other relevant stakeholders to contribute to the monitoring of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction within the 2030 Agenda framework, […]

The Nairobi Summer School on Climate Justice (NSSCJ) is an initiative pioneered by the Pan African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA) and is currently co-coordinated with Chuka University based in the small town of Chuka that is located 189km away from Nairobi, Kenya. The school is designed to provide a timely opportunity for long-standing scholar-activists, community-based […]

The African Disability Forum (ADF) is pleased to announce the good news about ratifications of the African Disability Protocol. The Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Africa (also known as African Disability Protocol) was adopted by the African Union Heads of States on […]

We are very excited to share with you the launch of the first course Disability Inclusive Cash and Voucher Assistance Learning Course, which has been developed by CBM Global, African Disability Forum, and the CALP Network. Until now, there’s been a crucial gap in training material addressing disability inclusion within CVA, overlooking the specific needs, […]

About the Young African Women with Disabilities Leadership Program The Young African Women with Disabilities Leadership Program is a regional, hybrid capacity-building initiative to empower young African women with disabilities. The Program runs over eight months of contact and virtual spaces and includes women with all types of disabilities and intersecting identities, fostering self-confidence and […]

ADVERTISEMENT The African Disability Forum is the continental membership organization of Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) in Africa. ADF currently has members from 44 African countries (National Federations of Organization of Persons with Disabilities), 9 continental OPDs and 4 sub-regional OPDs. ADF is a strategic partner for Light for the World in the We Can Work […]

ADVERTISEMENT The African Disability Forum (https://africandisabilityforum.org) is the continental membership organization of Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) in Africa. ADF currently has members from 44 African countries (National Umbrella Organization of Persons with Disabilities), 9 continental OPDs and 4 sub-regional OPDs. In July 2023, Save the Children International (SCI) and the African Disability Forum (ADF) signed […]

ADF is organizing a virtual side event at this year’s COSP17 under the theme “Fostering Disability Inclusion: Through Cooperation and Partnership”.  Date: 12th of June 2024 Time: 4:00pm to 5:15pm Nairobi time (9:00 to 10:15am New York time).  REGISTER HERE: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_7yQ0xkEUQuiAG00cIKtc2Q Save the date!!!!!!

ADVERTISEMENT The African Disability Forum (https://africandisabilityforum.org) is the continental membership organization of Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) in Africa. ADF currently has members from 44 African countries (National Umbrella Organization of Persons with Disabilities), 9 continental OPDs and 4 sub-regional OPDs. In July 2023, Save the Children International (SCI) and the African Disability Forum (ADF) signed […]

AFRICAN CONFERENCE ON DISABILITY “Persons with Disabilities in a Post-pandemic World: Redefining Inclusive Development & Humanitarian Agenda in Africa” 🗓️ When: September 1-5, 2024📍 Where: Nairobi, Kenya In a rapidly changing world, inclusivity is paramount. This ground-breaking conference willfeature: Together, let’s pave the way for a more inclusive Africa.

REQUEST FOR PROJECT PROPOSAL DEVELOPMENT The African Disability Forum (ADF) (https://africandisabilityforum.org) is the continental membership organization of Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) in Africa. ADF currently has members from 44 African countries (National Umbrella Organization of Persons with Disabilities), 9 continental OPDs and 4 sub-regional OPDs. In August 2023, International Disability Alliance (IDA) and The Swedish […]

Offre d’emploi POSTE : AGENT (E) DE PROJET  Le Forum africain des personnes handicapées (African Disability Forum) est une organisation continentale africaine regroupant des organisations de personnes handicapées (OPH) en Afrique dont la vision est de construire une Afrique inclusive où toutes les personnes handicapées et leurs familles voient leurs droits et leurs voix respectés […]

The African Disability Forum (ADF) is a continental membership organization of Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) in Africa whose vision is to see 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 as outlined in […]

Do you want to be a leader in your field and join an inspiring network of changemakers? The Australia Awards Scholarships are long-term development scholarships funded by the Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The Master’s level scholarships are offered to eligible middle to senior-level professionals from the public, private and civil society […]

POSTE : CHARGÉ DE PROJETLe Forum africain des personnes handicapées (African Disability Forum) est une organisation continentale africaine regroupant des organisations de personnes handicapées (OPH) en Afrique dont la vision est de construire une Afrique inclusive où toutes les personnes handicapées et leurs familles voient leurs droits et leurs voix respectés et participent activement à […]

In collaboration with the US Department of State and the University of Massachusetts Boston’s Institute for Community Inclusion (ICI), the African Disability Forum (ADF) is thrilled to unveil the invitation for applications for our ground-breaking Spring 2025 Professional Fellows Program on Inclusive Civic Engagement. This transformative 5-week Fellowship, hosted in the United States, offers an […]

In a significant stride towards empowering children with disabilities across Africa, Save the Children International (SCI) embarked on a pivotal visit to the African Disability Forum (ADF) headquarters in Addis Ababa on February 28, 2024. The meeting served as a platform for both organizations to delve into a comprehensive discussion, shedding light on their respective […]

Call for expression of interest in development of a generic curriculum for an advocacy skills training for the We Can Work Programme ADF is a strategic partner for Light for the World in the We Can Work (WCW) program, which is a signature program to improve access to dignified and fulfilling work for young women […]

South Sudan Union of Persons with Disabilities (SSUPD), in collaboration with the Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare, with support from NAD, organized one day stakeholders meeting in an effort to strengthen collaboration and harmonization among stakeholders, The quarterly partners meetings brought together the 4 OPDs, 3 UN Agencies, 12 INGOs, 9 NNGOs, 3 […]

University of Massachusetts Boston Institute for Community Inclusion Partners with the International Disability Alliance and the African Disability Forum on International Fellowship Program BOSTON, MA – The Institute for Community Inclusion (ICI) at the University of Massachusetts (UMass) Boston, in collaboration with the International Disability Alliance (IDA) and the African Disability Forum (ADF), has been […]

The African Disability Forum is the continental membership organization of Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) in Africa. ADF currently has members from 44 African countries (National Umbrella Organization of Persons with Disabilities), 9 continental OPDs and 4 sub-regional OPDs. In August 2023, International Disability Alliance (IDA) and The Swedish International Development Cooperation (Sida) signed an agreement […]

In a significant step towards promoting inclusivity and safeguarding the rights of children and children with disabilities in Africa, a three-day Validation Workshop on the Development of Child Rights Training Material  recently concluded. Held in Addis Ababa from 13 to15 December 2023, the workshop aimed to evaluate and refine the training material in line  with the UN […]

The African Disability Forum (ADF) is a continental membership organization of Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) in Africa whose vision is to see 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 as outlined in the United […]

The Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Africa, also known as the African Disability Rights Protocol, was adopted by the African Union Heads of States during the thirtieth ordinary session of the AU Assembly held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on 29th January 2018.

NUDIPU with support from African Disability Forum- ADF conducted a validation workshop in Kampala Uganda on 12 May 2023. The workshop was on the policy and programme analysis report on land rights and food security for persons with disabilities with the aim of; • Conducting a comprehensive analysis of the existing national, regional, and international […]

  Representatives from seven different Organisations of Persons with Disabilities from seven different countries gathered in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from October 10-12, 2022 to share their experiences and knowledge, discuss the gaps, and prepare the ground for further collaboration, in order to advance the inclusion of persons with disabilities in education, across the African Continent. […]

The Cotonou Declaration is validated by the participants of the BRIDGE CRPD-SDG of Cotonou. Please find the PDF-friendly version below: ENGLISH: Cotonou Declaration ENG FRENCH: VF_Déclaration de Cotonou

The International Disability Alliance (IDA) will be organizing a set of events in Nairobi, Kenya from the 11th of October until the 22th of October 2022, Kenya Festival. We are looking for a fully wheelchair-accessible hotel in the city, in close vicinity to the international airport, emergency medical services, pharmacies, bank, main road, etc. For the purposes of the […]

Deadline to apply: 15 August 2022 Eligible countries: Cambodia, Mozambique, Rwanda, Sudan and Zimbabwe  Location: The Swedish phase will be held in Stockholm, Sweden if travel is possible. The two regional phases, one week per phase, will be held in the East/Southern Africa or Asian Region. If travel is restricted for any reason, courses will be […]

Pan African Network for Persons with Psychosocial Disabilities (PANPPD) is hosting a “Making our voices heard in Africa” webinar series. The first webinar series is being hosted on August 4, 2022 at 12noon (Pretoria Time). To register for the webinar, please use the link https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0ufuisrDIoHdfRCh38g8vlJURXVBgB14XA. The next webinar will be held in September 2022. To […]

The International Disability Alliance (IDA) will be organizing a set of events in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from the 25th of July until the 4th of August 2022. We are looking for a fully wheelchair accessible hotel in the city, in close vicinity to the international airport, emergency medical services, pharmacies, bank, main road, etc. For the purposes of […]

The Pan African Network of Persons with Psychosocial Disabilities (PANPPD) launches the second round of microgrant program — Inclusive ‘Built Back Better’: Mental Health Responses to COVID-19 Phase II. It aims to continue the support to national/local advocacy campaigns from PANPPD members from across Africa to raise awareness on the social and economic challenges precipitated […]

At the African Disability Forum (ADF), we celebrate all the courageous women who have carved out a niche for themselves and are working hard to achieve their dreams, especially women with disabilities. We recognize the exceptional barriers working women with disabilities face and understand the additional challenges of disability discrimination in workplaces and lack of […]

The Executive Council of the African Disability Forum (ADF) comprises of nine members from nine countries and is elected by the General Assembly to regularly meet every year. The Council had a three-day in-person meeting, organized by the ADF Secretariat, at the Ole Serene Hotel in Nairobi, Kenya from November 25-27. The main purpose of […]

Sightsavers has posted an informative video on their YouTube channel about the African Disability Protocol (ADP). Click here to access the ADP video. To know more about Sightsavers campaign on the ADP, click here.

The African Disability Forum (ADF), an umbrella organization of federations of persons with disabilities in Africa, along with Humanity & Inclusion (HI) and Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) conducted a four-day regional workshop on the ratification of the African Union Disability Protocol (ADP) in Nairobi, Kenya from August 30 until September 2. The workshop, […]

October 10 was World Mental Health Day. The Pan African Network for Persons with Psychosocial Disabilities (PANPPD), with support from the International Disability Alliance, Humanity Inclusion, African Disability Forum, Open Society Foundations, and its 21 affiliates across Africa, commemorated the World Mental Health Day 2021 on Tuesday, October 12, with the theme “Mental Health in […]

A five-day regional meeting was organized by the We are Able! Programme Knowledge Management Working Group in Nairobi, Kenya from October 4-8. The We are Able!  programme, funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs as part of the Power of Voices Partnerships for Strengthening Civil Society, is being implemented by a consortium consisting of […]

The International Disability Alliance and the African Disability Forum invite you to a webinarto discuss the 2nd IDA Global Survey on OPDs Participation , and the Global Disability Summit. Date and time: 20th October 2021, at 3 pm CET Register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYscO-tqDovH9xzAl5xAI_T_YkYktC-WeHp  The IDA Global Survey on OPD Participation is a unique tool to assess the quality, depth, scope and relevance of OPD participation in […]

By IDA (First published on the IDA website on September 2, 2021) The International Disability Alliance (IDA) welcomes the first report on rights of persons with disabilities in armed conflict by the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Gerard Quinn. This report provides guidance on how to safeguard the rights of persons with disabilities in the context […]

The International Disability Alliance and International Paralympic Committee are leading the #WeThe15 campaign together with international partners. The campaign commenced on August 19, 2021 and will go on until September 5, 2021.  This 10-year campaign aims to be the biggest ever human rights movement to end discrimination against persons with disabilities and transform the lives […]

(This article, compiled by Elizabeth Ombati, OPD EO Kenya and Rejaul Karim Siddique, OPD EO Bangladesh, was first published on the International Disability Alliance (IDA) website.) It is highly likely that we have encountered, in communications where persons with disabilities are concerned, or in general discourse on disability, common threads that portray the experience of […]

The Guidelines on Indicator 5: Consulting Persons with Disabilities were developed by the Disability Team in the Executive Office of the Secretary-General in collaboration with members of the United Nations Disability Inclusion Strategy (UNDIS) focal point network, the International Disability Alliance and other civil society organizations. These Guidelines are available in multiple accessible formats on […]

Framing a Discussion Paper for the Global Disability Summit 2022 The International Disability Alliance (IDA) and the Government of Norway will host the second Global Disability Summit on 15 – 17 February 2022 (GDS22). The Global Disability Summit 2022 provides a unique global opportunity to generate commitments to advance inclusion of persons with disabilities. Participation of organisations of […]

Down Syndrome South Africa seeks priority access to COVID-19 vaccines for individuals with Down syndrome   Down Syndrome South Africa (DSSA), calls on the national Department of Health to immediately proritise vaccines for individuals with Down syndrome 18 and above, including all those in residential facilities and not just by age co-horts, their primary caregivers […]

This IDA Global Survey is an accountability tool to monitor that “nothing is done about us without us”. IDA will use the results to hold decision-makers accountable in line with Articles 4.3 and 32 of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. This is a chance to voice your opinion about your engagement with governments […]

  In 2015, the International Disability Alliance (IDA) and the International Disability & Development Consortium (IDDC), developed the Bridge CRPD-SDGs Training Initiative to support leaders and resource persons of organizations of people with disabilities and allies to advocate for inclusion and realization of all human rights for all persons with disabilities in resource-constrained environments, and facing challenging governance and […]

Bridge CRPD-SDGs Kenya Module 1 kicks off with participants from Ethiopia, Kenya, South Sudan and Uganda By ADFBridge CRPD-SDGs, a unique inclusive capacity development training initiative between the International Disability Alliance (IDA) and the International Disability and Development Consortium (IDDC), commenced in Nairobi, Kenya on June 24, 2021 with 35 participants, including a few from […]

IDA’s Youth with Disabilities Flagship Youth with disabilities and the intersectionalities of age is one of the focus areas of the work of the International Disability Alliance (IDA). Since 2010, IDA has always included youth with disabilities in our workshops and the CRPD Committee review processes. In 2015, with the launch of the Bridge CRPD-SDGs Training […]

On the 30 March 2021, during the first edition of the Generation Equality Forum, Mexico chapter, the International Disability Alliance (IDA) held a Special Session with the aim to raise priorities of women with disabilities, reflecting on access to decent and safe work and employment, disability inclusive social protection and the impact of COVID-19 and […]

    In 2021, UNICEF and the Government of Norway established a Partnership for disability inclusive programming at the global, regional and country level, focusing on the Eastern and Southern Africa region. The Disability Inclusive Programming Framework for the Eastern and South Africa region is to implement inclusive social protection programming in Zambia, Zimbabwe, Kenya, […]

This baseline report sheds light on the perceptions of Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) in Africa concerning their inclusion in development programs and policies. It presents results and draws conclusions from the first IDA Global Survey on OPD participation in development programs and policies, the first-ever global survey led by OPDs on their participation […]

Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) are an important mechanism within the United Nations process for follow-up and review of Africa’s progress in achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development as set out in the 2015 Declaration (UN 2015). This country-led approach, as introduced in the Agenda 2030, is central to the implementation of the agenda, the […]

Pan African Network of Persons with Psychosocial Disabilities (PANPPD) is inviting applications from Nigeria, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Uganda, Zambia, Togo and Ghana to submit requests for proposals for microgrants. The goal is to raise awareness on the social and economic challenges precipitated by the Covid-19 pandemic for persons with psychosocial disabilities and to advocate for responses […]

The Centre for Disability Law and Policy (CDLP)  are delighted to announce that registration is now open for the 12th International Disability Law Summer School 2021!  This year, summer school will take place entirely online, on the topic of  Article 30 – Access to Culture, Recreation, Leisure and Sport for People with Disabilities.  The impact of […]

The African Disability Forum (ADF), the World Blind Union (WBU) and the entire International Disability Alliance (IDA) congratulate Esther Kyozira on her appointment as the new CEO of the National Union of Disabled Persons of Uganda (NUDIPU). In 2018, as the Programme Director of NUDIPU, she implemented the Bridge CRPD-SDGs Initiative in Uganda. Her other career milestones include serving, in Uganda, as Programme Officer for Disability Rights […]

IDA’s innovative approach to facilitate meaningful engagement of persons with disabilities in development programmes

Regional Workshop in West Africa on Disability Inclusive Social Protection Response to COVID-19 Crisis: a new path towards inclusion

In-depth Workshop for Ugandan DPOs Treaty Body Reporting, SDGs and Global Disability Summit 2022

Disability Inclusive Social Protection: In-Depth Workshop for Uganda DPOs

The European project Bridging the Gap, the ILO/UNICEF/UNPRPD Inclusive Social Protection Project, the International Disability Alliance (IDA) and the African Disability Forum (ADF) held on March 30-31 the Policy Dialogue Conference “Social protection in Africa: a new path towards the inclusion of persons with disabilities” to trigger and reinforce the policy dialogue on inclusive social protection in Africa based on interesting practices across the continent. The Conference was structured in […]

Policy Dialogue Conference When: 30-31 March 2021  To register for 30 March 2021, please click here. To register for 31 March 2021, please click here.  The Conference aims to trigger and reinforce the policy dialogue on inclusive social protection in Africa based on interesting practices across the continent to enhance coordination, cooperation and commitment for inclusion in line with the provisions of the UN CRPD and the principles of […]

Over the past two years, the European Commission has been developing its new policy to fund international development activities.

From 22 to 25 February 2021, the Ghana Federation of Disability Organizations (GFD), African Disability Forum (ADF), Disabled Peoples Organisations (DPOD) and the International Disability Alliance (IDA) are holding the Workshop on CRPD and SDGs reporting processes and GDS Commitments review.  From the lessons learned from the VNR review, the GDS commitments as well as under the impact of the COVID […]

From 22 to 25 February 2021, the African Disability Forum (ADF), National Union of Disabled Persons of Uganda (NUDIPU), Down Syndrome International (DSi) and the International Disability Alliance (IDA) are hosting a workshop in Uganda to bring together representatives of organizations of persons with disabilities who have been involved in CRPD and SDGs related processes, including […]

On November 4th and 5th, 2020, the West Africa Federation of Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (WAFOD), the African Disability Forum (ADF) and the International Disability Alliance (IDA) are holding the Regional Workshop in West Africa countries on Disability Inclusive Social Protection Response to COVID-19 Crisis: a new path towards inclusion. This workshop is held […]

Panel Session at Business and Human Rights Forum 2019, 27 November

In collaboration with the Fédération National des Associations Personnes Handicapées du Senegal, the OHCHR – West Africa Regional Office, and Sightsavers, on June 1st and 2nd 2018, IDA held a 2 days’ workshop on the CRPD review process. This workshop was developed in the lead up to the process of review of Senegal by the […]

In collaboration with the Fédération National de Personnes Handicapées du Niger, on May 28, 29 and 30 2018, IDA held a 3 days’ workshop on the CRPD review process. This workshop was developed in the lead up to the process of review of Niger by the United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with […]

On the International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2017, the Permanent Missions of the Republic of Korea, Bulgaria, Mexico, Brazil, New Zealand, Finland, Argentine Republic and Israel joined forces with a number of UN agencies, civil society organizations and the International Disability Alliance, to host a panel discussion and art exhibition at the Palais des Nations. […]

Addressing cross-cutting challenges of national implementation