Meaningful Engagement of OPDs: Inclusive processes for reaching under-represented groups of persons with disabilities in programming
New-York, 14 June 2023. In the framework of the 16th session of the Conference of States Parties to the UNCRPD, the OPD Partnership Task Group of the International Disability and Development Consortium has organised a side-event devoted to the Meaningful Engagement of organisations of persons with disabilities (OPDs) and the inclusive processes for reaching under-represented groups of persons with disabilities in programming.
While there has been a significant improvement in the inclusion of OPDs in both disability-specific and mainstream programming in recent years, this increase in meaningful engagement has not benefited the disability movement equally. Underrepresented groups, including OPDs representing people with intellectual disabilities, people with psychosocial disabilities, and people with deafblindness, still continue to be excluded from both access to official development assistance (ODA) and from programming partnerships. Building on concrete examples of inclusive practices implemented by IDDC members, the side-event provided actionable recommendations on inclusive practices for meaningful engagement of people with disabilities, and in particular people with intellectual disabilities, people with psychosocial disabilities, people with deafblindness, and other underrepresented groups. Promoting their meaningful engagement is not only a matter of social justice but also a prerequisite for achieving inclusive and sustainable development.
The International Disability Alliance (IDA), represented by Jose Maria Viera, opened the side-event by highlighting the pressing need to prioritise meaningful participation for persons with disabilities. People with disabilities are disproportionately affected by crises as policies and actions often overlook their needs and perspectives. Meaningful participation, coupled with accessibility, is essential for the inclusion of people with disabilities. Reflecting on how to ensure meaningful engagement, Jose put forth several recommendations. First and foremost, investment and outreach should be targeted at reaching the furthest behind and ensuring their safety and participation in ways that they desire. Second, collaboration between organisations are key: OPDs bring the lived experiences and perspectives, while NGOs contribute valuable experience and knowledge from working on different agendas. Finally, it is crucial to adopt an intersectionality approach, considering various aspects such as gender, indigenous background, age, and others, while striving for greater participation of underrepresented groups.
Esma Gumberize, Member of the IDDC OPD Steering Group and Board member at the Georgian network of women with disabilities, shared her experience as an OPD representative involved in developing IDDC’s Guidance Note on OPD Engagement. She shared that good practices include regular meetings, respecting agendas and timings, providing materials in accessible formats, using plain language, providing interpretation and captioning, and ensuring that all information is verbalised for those with sensory disabilities. Paid participation is crucial to avoid patronizing attitudes and value the contributions of underrepresented groups. In addition, Esma underlined that accountability is vital, ensuring that OPDs contribution is not just heard but actually listened to.
Chow Tak Hung and Chan Tsun Kit from Chosen Power / People first Hong Kong shared their experiences in creating the Listen, Include, Respect International Guidelines for Inclusive Participation. They emphasized the importance of easy-to-understand agendas, reminders to support self-advocates and their supporters, icebreaker activities, clear presentation of discussion themes, dedicated time for self-advocates to express their ideas and questions, summarising conclusions, and providing notes for future meetings. Paying self-advocates and supporters for their participation and keeping meeting durations to a reasonable limit of 1.5 hours enhances their engagement. Online meetings can also increase accessibility and support participation.
Rose Umutesi from the Pan African Network of People with Psychosocial Disabilities highlighted aspects of their inclusive partnership with Humanity & Inclusion (HI). Through skills development, capacity building, networking, and consultation, HI ensures the meaningful inclusion of OPDs as equal partners. She encourages organisations to learn from this model by investing in training and self-advocacy, fostering networks, and involving OPDs in decision-making processes.
KB Adhikari from the National Federation of Deaf in Nepal shed light on the importance of meaningful participation for the deaf community, particularly those who are deafblind. Collaborative efforts with Sense International and the DID Inclusive Future Programme have led to positive changes in Nepal, such as the inclusion of deafblindness data in the national census and the provision of home-based education and therapy services. Clear definitions, identification processes, and awareness of the requirements for meaningful participation are essential for underrepresented groups to engage.
Mary Ataaba, a leader representing women with disabilities in Turkana county in Kenya, emphasized how CBM Global Disability Inclusion ensures the full inclusion of women with disabilities and OPDs in their programming. Open and inclusive partnerships with organizations led by underrepresented groups facilitate the sharing of ideas and experiences. Supporting representative organizations by providing budgetary support, capacity building, and access to information and communication strengthens their participation.
Daniel Rubin, Secretary General of Smile Disability Generation in Tanzania, highlighted ADD International’s efforts to ensure the meaningful inclusion of indigenous youth with disabilities. ADD International supports young leaders through mentoring, skills development, and participatory grant making: people with disabilities from the global South will have more say on how the money is used and have the power to decide which organisation project or area should receive funding. In addition, they encourage collective action, movement building, and collaboration among organizational leaders in the Asia region. Daniel encouraged organisations to model to follow ADD International’s example by having a space where OPDs advocate for their own issues, placing people with disability at the centre of decision-making processes rather than deciding for them and having mentors/role models within the organisation.
Olivia Ah-Noah from the UK Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO) concluded the session explaining how FCDO’s Disability Inclusive Development (DID) program emphasizes meaningful engagement with OPDs. The program ensures OPDs’ active involvement in project design, governance, implementation, learning, and dissemination. They engage underrepresented groups, such as girls and women with disabilities, psychosocial disabilities, intellectual disabilities, Deafblind persons, autistic persons, Indigenous persons, and refugees. OPDs are involved in decision-making, assessment, design, implementation, monitoring, and linking projects with local authority services. They recently published internal guidance on engaging organizations of persons with disabilities, highlighting the importance of meaningful engagement and an intersectional perspective. The document provides practical advice on hosting accessible meetings and emphasizes the involvement of historically underrepresented groups.