ADPA Core Programmes
ADPA works across six core programmes that drive systemic change, elevate lived experiences, and promote inclusive development and governance across Africa. Each programme contributes to our mission of advancing the rights of personswith disabilities—especially women and girls—throughtransformative advocacy, policy reform, and regionalsolidarity.
1. Inclusive Policy and Governance Programme
Goal: Promote inclusive policy-making and governance-systems that uphold the rights of persons with disabilities.
Key Actions:
• Advocate for inclusive policies at national, regional, and continental levels.
• Support inclusive budgeting processes and legal reform saligned with the CRPD and African disability frameworks.
• Provide technical assistance to establish Disability Desks within local governments.
• Engage with African Union institutions and human rights mechanisms to elevate disability rights on continental agendas.
2. Women and Girls with Disabilities Leadership & Empowerment Programme
Goal: Advance the rights, leadership, and economicempowerment of women and girls with disabilities.
Key Actions:
• Deliver leadership training, mentorship, and support for feminist movement-building.
• Advocate for sexual and reproductive health and rights(SRHR), gender-based violence (GBV) prevention, and intersectional justice.
• Promote economic inclusion through vocational training, access to finance, and microenterprise initiatives.
• Support feminist disability-led organisations and regionalnetworks.
3. Disability-Inclusive Livelihoods, Food Security, and Climate Resilience Programme
Goal: Ensure persons with disabilities benefit fromsustainable livelihoods and are included in climate and environmental governance.
Key Actions:
• Implement inclusive agriculture and livestock initiatives tailored to diverse disability needs.
• Advocate for disability-responsive climate policies and resilience strategies.
• Engage extractive industries to integrate Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) practices that include disabilitycommunities.
• Promote green jobs and adaptive skills development, especially for youth with disabilities.
4. Youth with Disabilities Civic Engagement and Innovation Programme
Goal: Empower youth with disabilities to engage in civic, digital, and political life.
Key Actions:
• Build capacity on civic participation, voting rights, and advocacy leadership.
• Support digital literacy, tech innovation, and entrepreneurship among youth with disabilities.
• Facilitate intergenerational dialogue and create platforms for youth-led advocacy.
• Launch digital advocacy campaigns to amplify youthvoices and social change.
5. Disability Rights, Research, and AccountabilityProgramme
Goal: Generate evidence and strengthen accountability for disability rights implementation across Africa.
Key Actions:
• Conduct participatory research and community-led case studies.
• Support disability data collection and analysis to informpolicy and practice.
• Produce shadow reports and engage UN and AU mechanisms to hold duty-bearers accountable.
• Develop practical toolkits, inclusive policy briefs, and planning guides for stakeholders.
6. Movement Building, Partnerships, and RegionalSolidarity Programme
Goal: Strengthen networks, partnerships, and regionalsolidarity for transformative disability advocacy.
Key Actions:
• Convene national and regional forums to connect OPDs, advocates, and allies.
• Strengthen coalitions and cross-sectoral alliances in areas like gender equality, climate justice, and humanitarian action.
• Provide technical support to grassroots OPDs and establish regional advocacy hubs.
• Foster South–South collaboration and peer learning across African countries.
