Our Partnerships
Partnering with Organizations of Persons with Disabilities: Leadership at the Centre
Collaboration with Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) is at the heart of our approach. OPDs are the legitimate leaders of disability inclusion in their countries, and our partnerships are grounded in the principles of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). By centering OPD voices and lived experiences, we ensure that our strategies reflect what matters most to the communities we serve.
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Our Partners
Mastercard Foundation
The Mastercard Foundation partners with visionary organizations to enable young people in Africa and Indigenous youth in Canada to access dignified and fulfilling work. Through the Young Africa Works strategy, the Foundation aims to enable 30 million young people—particularly young women—to secure meaningful employment or entrepreneurial opportunities by 2030.
The Young Africa Works strategy focuses on strengthening education and training systems, expanding access to finance, and supporting labour markets that connect young people to work and entrepreneurship opportunities. The strategy is implemented through country-led approaches that respond to local economic priorities and opportunities, and through institutions prepared to serve all young people equitably. This includes young people with disabilities, who continue to face systemic barriers in education, skills development, entrepreneurship, and employment.
The Mastercard Foundation understands that inclusive growth requires purposeful action, and it has made disability inclusion a central focus across its programs. The aim is not to create separate initiatives, but rather to develop inclusive programs. The We Can Work program supports this commitment by enhancing disability-inclusion ecosystems and assisting partners to ensure that young people with disabilities have the opportunity to fully engage in education, employment, and entrepreneurship pathways.
Light For The World
Light for the World is an international NGO that sparks lasting change on disability rights and eye health.
The organisation believes in a world where people with disabilities and people with eye conditions fully exercise their rights to health, education, work — and protection in emergencies.
At the heart of its mission is a dedication to advancing disability inclusion and ensuring that people with disabilities and eye conditions can participate fully and equally in society.
Light for the World’s programme and advocacy work positions individuals and communities as the drivers of change, and partnerships, including with Organisations of Persons with Disabilities, ensure sustainable, scalable impact.
African Disability Forum (ADF)
African Disability Forum (ADF) is the continental membership organization of Disabled Persons’ Organizations (DPOs) in Africa. Formally established in 2014, ADF seeks to strengthen and unify the representative voices of Africans with disabilities, their families and organizations.
The African continent is immense with great regional diversity, making it impossible for one organization to directly and fully reflect and represent such diversity, thus ADF includes and builds upon existing organizations, networks, capacities and successes.
ADF does not replace any existing continental or sub-regional organization but invites all to be ADF members. We strive to be inclusive and to engage and reflect the views of all existing pan-African, sub-regional and national federations of DPOs.
ADF is an independent, democratic organization, where representative DPOs are the members and decision-makers. ADF pays special attention to the involvement of women and youth with disabilities in all its structures and activities. ADF works in partnership with all organizations that share the ADF objectives and promote the rights and inclusion of persons with disabilities in Africa.
ADF is a full member of the International Disability Alliance (IDA).
National Umbrella Organizations of Persons with Disabilities
Ghana Federation of Disability Organisations (GFD)
GFD, established in 1987, advocates for an inclusive society where persons with disabilities can participate fully and equally. With branches across all regions and more than 200 districts, GFD unites eight member organizations representing diverse disability groups.
National Union of Disability Organizations in Rwanda (NUDOR)
Created in 2010, NUDOR promotes the rights of persons with disabilities and advances their full participation in national development. Its mission is to ensure that disability inclusion is reflected in policies, programs, and everyday life across Rwanda.
National Union of Disabled Persons of Uganda (NUDIPU)
Formed in 1987, NUDIPU advocates for the rights and inclusion of persons with disabilities in Uganda. Guided by the principles “Nothing for Us Without Us” and “Disability Is Not Inability,” NUDIPU unites people with all types of disabilities to drive change and influence development processes.
Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities – Nigeria (JONAPWD)
Established in 1992, JONAPWD promotes the rights and development of Nigerians with disabilities and serves as a bridge between national OPDs and the international community. The organization represents six disability groups and operates nationwide through its state chapters.
United Disabled Persons of Kenya (UDPK)
UDPK, founded in 1989, brings together more than 200 Disabled Persons’ Organizations across Kenya. It advocates for the rights, participation, and inclusion of persons with disabilities in social, economic, and political spheres.
Federation of Ethiopian Associations of Persons with Disabilities (FEAPD)
Established in 1989, FEAPD serves as the umbrella body for 38 disability associations in Ethiopia. It promotes the representation, capacity, and participation of persons with disabilities at national, regional, and global levels.
Fédération Sénégalaise des Associations de Personnes Handicapées (The Senegalese Federation of Associations of Persons with Disabilities)
FSAPH is Senegal’s national umbrella body for Organizations of Persons with Disabilities. It unites member associations to advocate for the rights and inclusion of persons with disabilities and operates through a structured national and regional governance system, including 14 regional federations. Its work is guided by the vision of disability as a driver of sustainable development and grounded in the values of solidarity, citizenship, and inclusion.
Federation of Ethiopian Associations of Persons with Disabilities (FEAPD)
Established in 1989, FEAPD serves as the umbrella body for 38 disability associations in Ethiopia. It promotes the representation, capacity, and participation of persons with disabilities at national, regional, and global levels.
Fédération Sénégalaise
des Associations de Personnes Handicapées (FSAPH)
FSAPH is Senegal’s national umbrella body for Organizations of Persons with Disabilities. It unites member associations to advocate for the rights and inclusion of persons with disabilities and operates through a structured national and regional governance system, including 14 regional federations. Its work is guided by the vision of disability as a driver of sustainable development and grounded in the values of solidarity, citizenship, and inclusion.
Joint National Association of Persons With Disabilities, JONAPWD - Nigeria
Established in 1992, JONAPWD promotes the rights and development of Nigerians with disabilities and serves as a bridge between national OPDs and the international community. The organization represents six disability groups and operates nationwide through its state chapters.
United Disabled Persons of Kenya (UDPK).
UDPK, founded in 1989, brings together more than 200 Disabled Persons’ Organizations across Kenya. It advocates for the rights, participation, and inclusion of persons with disabilities in social, economic, and political spheres.
The National Union of Disability Organizations in Rwanda (NUDOR)
Created in 2010, NUDOR promotes the rights of persons with disabilities and advances their full participation in national development. Its mission is to ensure that disability inclusion is reflected in policies, programs, and everyday life across Rwanda.
Ghana Federation of Disability Organisations (GFD)
GFD, established in 1987, advocates for an inclusive society where persons with disabilities can participate fully and equally. With branches across all regions and more than 200 districts, GFD unites eight member organizations representing diverse disability groups.
The National Union of Disabled Persons of Uganda (NUDIPU) is an indigenous umbrella NGO of Persons with Disabilities
Formed in 1987, NUDIPU advocates for the rights and inclusion of persons with disabilities in Uganda. Guided by the principles “Nothing for Us Without Us” and “Disability Is Not Inability,” NUDIPU unites people with all types of disabilities to drive change and influence development processes.
How We Work With Partners
Our partnerships strengthen the disability inclusion ecosystem and unlock opportunities for young people with disabilities. We focus on ecosystem strengthening, learning and sharing, and building trust and transparency