News & Insights - African Disability Forum

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Infographic titled “Rights in Action: Theory of Change.” It shows people with disabilities in Africa working together for equality and inclusion. The goal is to strengthen organizations of persons with disabilities in Zimbabwe and Nigeria so they can advocate for their rights. The graphic highlights training, stronger governance, advocacy skills, joint campaigns, and policy change. Key results include decision-makers trained, laws developed, disability organizations empowered, and joint advocacy actions.

February 19, 2026

ADF Participates in Rights in Action Annual Learning and Sharing Event in Zimbabwe

group of eight panelists and speakers pose on a stage in front of a large screen reading “Scaling Disability-Responsive Solutions for a Resilient Future.” The backdrop includes logos of the Global Disability Fund, the International Disability Alliance, and the Australian Government. Some participants are seated, including wheelchair users, while others stand, all wearing conference badges.|||

January 29, 2026

Disability-Inclusive Climate Change Advocacy: 2025 Engagement Overview and Achievements

Marie Louise Abomo, Commissioner at the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights speaking during the ACHPR side event|||

January 13, 2026

African Disability Forum at the 85th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights

December 22, 2025

Vacancy Advertisement: Advocacy Manager

A poster from the African Disability Forum (ADF) for the International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2025. The theme reads “Fostering Disability-Inclusive Societies for Advancing Social Progress.” The date “Wednesday, 3rd December 2025” is displayed. Below, there is an illustration of three people: one person using a wheelchair, another pushing the wheelchair, and a stylized accessibility icon with a heart. The text at the bottom highlights ADF’s message about celebrating the leadership and contributions of persons with disabilities and the importance of inclusive societies. The poster ends with the phrase “Happy IDPD!”

December 3, 2025

Statement on the occasion of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, December 3, 2025

November 28, 2025

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Poster says: VACANCY announcement Visit our website for more info africandisabilityforum.org

November 28, 2025

Vacancy Advertisement: Capacity Development Director

November 27, 2025

CONSULTANCY ADVERTISEMENT: Organizational Structure and Policies Review and Development

|Two men standing in front of a banner at the African Commission on Human & Peoples' Rights event, holding documents.|

October 23, 2025

African Disability Forum (ADF) Granted Observer Status by the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights

September 30, 2025

Consultancy Advertisement: Development of Communications Guidelines and Mentorship for the SPADRA Media Focal Points

||||Panel of speakers at the We Are Able closing event in Uganda

September 29, 2025

We Are Able! Programme Celebrates Close-Out Ceremony in Kampala, Uganda

September 26, 2025

We Are Able! Programme Holds Close-Out Ceremony in Juba, South Sudan

Shitaye Astawes, wearing a light blue jacket, speaks into a microphone while seated in a large conference hall with other participants in the background.

September 15, 2025

13th Conference on Climate Change and Development in Africa (CCDA-XIII)

Young leaders with disabilities and facilitators gather joyfully during the Youth Leadership Programme contact workshop in Addis Ababa, smiling, raising hands, and celebrating their shared leadership journey

September 11, 2025

ADF YOUTH LEADERSHIP PROGRAM CONTACT WORKSHOP

This poster is an announcement for a hybrid side event at the Second African Climate Summit. The event, titled "Leave No One Behind: The Intersect between Climate, Disability and Gender," will take place on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, from 12:00 to 13:00 PM East African Time. The poster instructs people to register at AFRICANDISABILITYFORUM.ORG. The event is organized by the African Disability Forum (ADF), in partnership with Development Transformations and the Pan African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA).

September 3, 2025

ACS2 Side Event Webinar – Leave No One Behind: The Intersect between Climate, Disability and Gender

Group photo - ADF Executive Committee Treasurer, Mr. Ayassou Germain, with other participants after the CSO wrap-up meeting|ADF Program Director, Mrs. Bethelehem Zewde, delivering a presentation|ADF Executive Committee Treasurer, Mr. Ayassou Germain delivering a presentation||

August 29, 2025

TICAD9: The voice of persons with disabilities in Africa heard

interpretation poster

Call for Expression of Interest for Professional interpretation (English-French) services

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COSP18: A Crucial Moment for Africa’s Disability Movement

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Shitaye Astawes, speaks into a microphone while reading from a laptop. She is seated in front of a wooden panel and cream wall. The image includes a heading at the top in bold white text on a brown background that reads: “ADF'S KEYNOTE ADDRESS ON ADVANCING ACCESS TO JUSTICE FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES IN AFRICA.”||

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

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

A graphic with a dark blue background and a white rounded rectangle in the center. At the top is a blue bell icon. The bold text reads: "ADF is designing a Youth Leadership Program for We Can Work Program." Below it, in italics, it says: "Fill out the survey today." At the bottom is the URL: "africandisabilityforum.org". On the left side, there is an illustration of a clipboard with three checkmarks.

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

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

STATEMENT OF THE AFRICAN DISABILITY FORUM FOLLOWING THE GLOBAL DISABILITY SUMMIT 2025

A large, diverse group of people attending a conference in a spacious industrial-style hall with high ceilings and exposed beams. Attendees are seated in rows, with some using wheelchairs. A panel of speakers sits at the front, and multiple large screens hang overhead. The atmosphere is professional and inclusive.

THE AFRICAN DISABILITY FORUM AND THE CIVIL SOCIETY FORUM DECLARATION 2025

A diverse group of eight people, including youth delegates with disabilities and representatives from ADF, MasterCard Foundation, and Light for the World, pose in front of a banner for the Global Disability Summit 2025 in Berlin. Some wear white t-shirts with 'We Can Work' branding, while others wear professional or casual attire. A few participants have albinism, and some wear assistive devices like headsets or glasses. They are smiling and standing closely together.|

Amplifying Youth Voices at #GDS2025

A Zoom webinar screenshot shows a slide presentation with an inspirational quote referencing Martin Luther King Jr.'s 'I have a dream' speech. The slide expresses a vision for equality, stating, 'All people will hold hands and be treated equally, and no one will be judged by their disability.' Below the text is a photo of a group of people with Down syndrome wearing matching white t-shirts and standing together in front of a banner that reads 'Down Syndrome South Africa.' The slide also thanks the audience for listening to a person with Down syndrome. The Zoom interface displays multiple participants, including interpreters, a speaker named Sheri Brynard, and a raised hand from a participant.

Celebrating World Down Syndrome Day – March 2025

Webinar poster for World Down Syndrome Day featuring the topic: 'Empowering Africa – Strengthening Support Systems for a Brighter Future.' The top section includes logos of the Africa Down Syndrome Network, African Disability Forum, and World Down Syndrome Day. Below the topic banner, there are photos of six speakers and their titles: Ancella Ramjas (Moderator), Mr. Idris Maiga Alzouma (Chairperson, African Disability Forum), Mr. Auberon Jeleel Adoom (Inclusion Africa and African Disability Forum), Mr. Ali Jookhun (Chairperson, Africa Down Syndrome Network), Sheri Brynard (National Self-Advocate of Down Syndrome South Africa and DSi Ambassador), and Nathan Rowe (Programme Director, Down Syndrome International). The bottom of the poster displays event details: Date – March 27, 2025; Time – 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM (EAT); Venue – Online (Zoom). A green ribbon symbol is included on the right side. The footer states: 'Sign Language Interpretation & Closed Captioning will be available.

Webinar on Empowering Africa – Strengthening Support Systems for a Brighter Future

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February 25, 2025

Consultancy Advertisement: TRANSLATE YOUTH ADVOCACY WORKBOOK INTO EASY READ

A graphic announcement from the African Union about the adoption of the Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls. The background features a large conference hall filled with delegates. The foreground contains a purple text box with bold yellow and white text stating 'African Union Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls – ADOPTED'. The message describes the convention as a comprehensive continental instrument to prevent and eliminate violence against women and girls. Social media icons and the AU website (au.int) are visible at the bottom.

February 21, 2025

ADF Welcomes the African Union’s Historic Adoption of the Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls

Youth-Led Advocacy TOT participants and ADF staff at the ADF Head Office in Addis Ethiopia|Participants from Ghana Nigeria Rwanda Kenya Ethiopia Uganda and Senegal pose for a photo at the end of the one week workshop

December 4, 2024

Youth Led Advocacy: Amplifying the voices of youth with disabilities for economic inclusion

A graphic poster showing different people with disabilities outdoors. The heading read: international day of persons with disabilities. Underneath it reads: Empowering Disability Leadership for Global Inclusion and Sustainability

December 3, 2024

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

Participant and trainers standing together holding a banner that reads: Disability Inclusive Child Rights Advocacy Training of Trainers Workshop

December 2, 2024

Disability-Inclusive Child Rights Training of Trainers Concludes Successfully!

September 26, 2024

Completion of Disability-Inclusive Child Rights Training of Trainers

|An MoU has being signed between the ADF and African Disability Alliance to advance advocacy for the ratification and implementation of the African Disability Protocol.||A panellist checking his notes|A woman with a mic speaks while an sign language interpreter interprets what she says next to her|Kennedy Kalunga, Permanent Secretary, Cabinet Office, Special Duties, Zambia|ADF Chair, Idriss Maiga|Photograph of attendants of the conference facing a panel of speakers.||The camera is focused on one man at the conference listening to the panellists with language translation headphones on his head|||A big group of attendees standing together posing for a picture.||Mercy Wanjau, Secretary to the Cabinet of the Republic of Kenya standing with Kennedy Kaluga

September 18, 2024

Insights and Highlights from the African Disability Conference and Pre-Summit

Heading that reads: Global disability movement demands seat at the “COP table”, underneath a picture shows a banner hanging that reads: Climate Justice

September 10, 2024

GLOBAL DISABILITY MOVEMENT DEMANDS SEAT AT THE “COP TABLE”

|A large group of people sit in a conference room, attentively listening and taking notes. Some have laptops open. Posters and presentation slides are visible on the walls.|ADF Chair Idriss Maiga in a wheelchair participates in a conference session, surrounded by other attendees seated at tables covered with documents and laptops. Everyone appears engaged in the discussion.

September 2, 2024

PRESS RELEASE: African Disability Forum General Assembly – 1 Sept 2024, Nairobi

September 2, 2024

Africa’s First Regional OPD-led Conference: Shaping Disability Inclusion in a Post-Pandemic World

Strengthening Partnerships to Advance Disability Rights in Africa (SPADRA): Gender and Disability Inclusive Advocacy Capacity Building Workshop, 18-19 July 2024, Nairobi, Kenya

Call for Membership Stakeholder Group of Persons with Disabilities a Thematic Group on Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Action (TG-DRRCA)

Thematic Group on Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Action (TG-DRRCA)

The 4th Cohort of the Nairobi Summer School on Climate Justice commenced this week at Chuka University

15 countries that have ratified the African Disability Protocol: Angola, Burundi, Cameroon, Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Mali, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Niger, Rwanda, South Africa, Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, Uganda

PRESS RELEASE: Ratifications of the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Africa

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Disability Inclusive Cash and Voucher Assistance E-Learning Course

Heading that says Two Alumni Success Stories from the ADF Women’s Leadership Programme. An image below shows a woman facing a big screen as she is teaching. The screen says "Disability and intersecting identities"||||

Two Alumni Success Stories from the ADF Women’s Leadership Programme

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COSP17 virtual side event on 12 June 2024 – Fostering Disability Inclusion: Through Cooperation and Partnership

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THE AFRICAN DISABILITY FORUM PROUDLY ANNOUNCES:

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ANNONCE DE VACANCE DE POSTE : AGENT (E) DE PROJET

Poster says: VACANCY announcement Visit our website for more info africandisabilityforum.org

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Make a difference with an Australia awards scholarship. Apply today for your opportunity to gain a world class education and become a leader for development. Scholarships for Masters studies in Australia are offered to eligible African candidates for postgraduates studies. Applications are open from 1 February 2024 to 30 April 2024. Apply and get more information at www.australiaawardsafrica.org The GEDSI SUPPORT HUB on the website has more information about our support for women and people with a disability.

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ANNONCE DE VACANCE DE POSTE : CHARGE DE PROJET

The social media graphic showcases a photograph in the center featuring six East African individuals—three men and three women—seated in a row with legs crossed in front of the White House lawn. Above the photo, the text reads: “A five-week Fellowship training experience in the US for emerging African leaders in disability-inclusive civic engagements.” To the right of the photo, the text states: “Learn about our Professional Fellows Program on Inclusive Civic Engagement in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and; Ethiopia, www.PFPinclusion.org. Apply by May 15, 2024.” Below the photo, a banner includes, from left to right, the flag of the United States, and the logos of the US Department of State, the University of Massachusetts Boston (UMass Boston), the Institute for Community Inclusion (ICI), the African Disability Forum (ADF), and the International Disability Alliance (IDA).

Applications Now Open for the 2025 Professional Fellows Program on Inclusive Civic Engagement

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Save the Children International Joins Forces with African Disability Forum to Empower Children with Disabilities

February 23, 2024

Consultancy advertisement: request for devlopment of a Curriculum

February 21, 2024

One day Quarterly stakeholder meeting on 12th Feb 2024 in Juba –South Sudan

Poster says: Press release: international fellowship programme

January 12, 2024

Press release: international fellowship programme

December 19, 2023

Consultancy Advertisement: REQUEST FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A BASELINE SURVEY

December 19, 2023

Child Rights Training Material Validation workshop successfully completed! 13-15 Dec 2023

Poster says: VACANCY announcement Visit our website for more info africandisabilityforum.org

December 18, 2023

Vacancy Advertisement: Communications Officer

November 6, 2023

African Disability Protocol (ADP) PRESS RELEASE

August 19, 2023

NUDIPU Validation Workshop – 12 May 2023, Kampala,Uganda

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November 16, 2022

Manifesto on Inclusive Education

September 22, 2022

Cotonou Declaration

September 22, 2022

Call for Workshops in October, 2022

August 15, 2022

Inviting Applications: Advanced International Training Programme on Social Protection for Sustainable Development

PANPPD to host a webinar on August 4

Call For Application for the Hotel for Bridge CRPD-SDGs Sub Saharan Africa, Module 2 training, from July 26th of July to the 04th of August 2022

PANPPD launches second round of Microgrant Program — Inclusive ‘Built Back Better’: Mental Health Responses to COVID-19 Phase II

International Women's Day

Greetings from ADF: International Women’s Day

December 13, 2021

ADF’s Executive Council Meeting held in Kenya

Sightsavers Video on ADP

November 20, 2021

Sightsavers video on the African Disability Protocol

ADF ADP Workshop

November 17, 2021

ADF’s Regional Workshop on the Ratification of the African Union Disability Protocol held in Nairobi, Kenya from Aug 30-Sept 2

October 15, 2021

PANPPD with Zimbabwe OCD Trust organizes Mental Health Day Webinar

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October 13, 2021

Five-day regional meeting organized by WaA! Programme Knowledge Management Working Group held in Nairobi, Kenya from Oct 4-8

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October 5, 2021

Save the date! ADF webinar (ENG/FR) on Global Survey and GDS – 20 October 2021, 3pm CET

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September 3, 2021

IDA welcomes first report on rights of persons with disabilities in armed conflict by the Special Rapporteur

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August 28, 2021

#WeThe15 aims to transform the lives of 1.2 billion persons with disabilities

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August 28, 2021

Language as a barrier to the participation and inclusion of persons with disabilities

August 12, 2021

Guidelines on Indicator 5: Consulting Persons with Disabilities

August 10, 2021

Framing a Discussion Paper for the Global Disability Summit 2022

August 10, 2021

Down Syndrome South Africa seeks priority access to COVID-19 vaccines for individuals with Down syndrome

IDA Global Survey on OPD Participation

Call for Applications: Bridge CRPD-SDGs Ethiopian cycle – Module 1 (August 5-12, 2021)

Bridge CRPD-SDGs Kenya Module 1 kicks off with participants from Ethiopia, Kenya, South Sudan and Uganda

IDA’s Youth with Disabilities Flagship

The costs of exclusion: Economic justice for women and girls with disabilities

UNICEF is accelerating programming for children and young persons with disabilities in the Eastern and Southern Africa region

Monitoring Participation of OPDs in Development Programmes and Policies

Analysis – Disability Inclusion in the 2020 VNR Reports of African Countries

PANPPD is inviting applications to submit requests for proposals for microgrants

Register now for the 12th International Disability Law Summer School 2021!

Congratulations to Esther Kyozira

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

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

2 women are looking at each other smiling

Bridging the Gap, the ILO/UNICEF/UNPRPD Inclusive Social Protection Programme, IDA, and ADF call for action on equal access to social protection programs in Africa

A woman is watching 2 other women holding hands|Social protection in Africa: a new path towards inclusion of persons with disabilities; a woman is talking through a mic in a conference|Policy dialogue conference is sponsored and organised by ADF, Bridging the Gap, UNPRPD, IDA, ILO, UNICEF, Inclusive Futures UKAID, European Union|Social Protection in Africa: a new path towards inclusion of persons with disabilities; a woman is staring at 2 other women holding hands and looking at each other

Social protection in Africa: a new path towards inclusion of persons with disabilities

A boy and a girl both in wheelchairs looking on the right and smiling||Survey Image

Survey on funding by the European Union in the World

February 22, 2021

Ghana Workshop on CRPD and SDGs reporting processes and GDS Commitments review

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February 22, 2021

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

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November 5, 2020

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

November 27, 2019

Inclusion can’t wait: The business case for the inclusion of persons with disabilities

Workshop on the CRPD Committee’s Review Process in Dakar, Senegal

Workshop on the CRPD Committee’s Review Process in Niamey, Niger

December 6, 2017

IDA representative participates to the event on commemoration of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities

October 30, 2017

ADF participates in 3rd meeting of the Partners for Review Network

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