Engaging with DPOs to implement disability inclusive WASH programming: Learning from the Australian Aid-funded Civil Society WASH fund
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Disabled People’s Organisations (DPOs) have successfully engaged in five water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) projects being implemented by World Vision Australia and WaterAid through the Australian Aid-funded Civil Society WASH Fund. Working in very different contexts, each project was able to engage with local DPOs to support disability inclusion within WASH programming, across the program cycle. The roles that the DPOs played varied according to interest, capacity, geographical proximity and scope of the program. Engagement between DPOs and civil society organisations (CSOs) has not only strengthened project outcomes, but has brought benefits for all partners for achieving disability inclusion, and for broader capacity building and networking.
Creating a new ‘business as usual’: Reflections and lessons from the Australian Aid program on engaging with Disabled People’s Organisations in development programming and humanitarian action
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Many donors and international development agencies are familiar with funding DPOs; however engaging DPOs to help design, implement, monitor and evaluate programs and portfolios of programs, especially within mainstream development programs, is less common. This paper provides some perspectives from the Australian Aid program and Australian development sector more broadly.
The paper seeks to answer the following questions:
• What has DFAT done to encourage and enable DPO engagement in development programs, which could be replicated by other donors and funders?
• What roles are DPOs fulfilling in order to help make programs more disability inclusive?
• What issues should program managers and implementers consider and address to maximise effective and meaningful DPO engagement in programs?
The paper addresses the three questions sequentially. It is supported by case studies that illustrate the roles DPOs can undertake in programs, as well as more detailed lessons arising from these.
Creating a new ‘business as usual’: Reflections and lessons from the Australian Aid program on engaging with Disabled People’s Organisations in development programming and humanitarian action
PDF
Many donors and international development agencies are familiar with funding DPOs; however engaging DPOs to help design, implement, monitor and evaluate programs and portfolios of programs, especially within mainstream development programs, is less common. This paper provides some perspectives from the Australian Aid program and Australian development sector more broadly.
The paper seeks to answer the following questions:
• What has DFAT done to encourage and enable DPO engagement in development programs, which could be replicated by other donors and funders?
• What roles are DPOs fulfilling in order to help make programs more disability inclusive?
• What issues should program managers and implementers consider and address to maximise effective and meaningful DPO engagement in programs?
The paper addresses the three questions sequentially. It is supported by case studies that illustrate the roles DPOs can undertake in programs, as well as more detailed lessons arising from these.
DPO engagement within DFAT disability inclusive development capacity development
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A range of disabled people’s organisations (DPOs) have been involved in short-term disability inclusive development capacity development visits to Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) Posts, as co-facilitators, speakers and advisors. Involving DPOs in disability inclusion trainings and meetings: supports the ‘nothing about us without us’ principle; upholds DFAT’s own strategy principles; ensures that training and advice is contextually relevant; and contributes to establishing and strengthening relationships between DPOs, DFAT, governments and implementing partners. DPO involvement in visits also helps to build DPO capacity and create momentum for DFAT and partners to identify opportunities to support DPOs or involve them in their programs.
Engaging a DPO to assist with providing disability advisory services to a health program
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DFAT recruited a disability advisor to support implementing partners develop and implement disability inclusion strategies within the health program in Timor-Leste. By stipulating that these services must be provided in partnership with a national DPO, DFAT was able to ensure DPOs were strongly engaged, but also supported, in providing advisory services. Through this engagement, the DPO developed new relationships with government and non-government partners and increased its capacity to provide advice on disability inclusive health.
Partnering with Disabled People’s Organisations to improve disability inclusive skills development and economic empowerment in Vanuatu
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After successfully working together to deliver awareness raising activities regarding disability inclusive skills development opportunities in communities across Vanuatu, the Vanuatu Skills Partnership and Vanuatu Disability Promotion and Advocacy Association (VDPA) established a formal relationship. Through this partnership, the Vanuatu Skills Partnership and Disabled People’s Organisation (DPO) support
each other towards shared goals, by providing relevant technical advice and bi-directional capacity development support. Recognising the
limited funding opportunities available to Pacific DPOs, Vanuatu Skills Partnership also funds an appropriate proportion of VDPA’s institutional
costs. This joint work has resulted in increasing demand amongst people with disabilities for disability inclusive skills development, and
improved supply of disability inclusive post-school education and training. The Vanuatu Skills Partnership is a joint investment between the Governments of Australia a
Australia Indonesia Partnership for Justice: A case study on engagement with DPOs
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The Australia Indonesia Partnership for Justice has involved disability inclusion as a key strategy. This has been progressed through a range of approaches, including the participation of DPOs in organisational capacity building together with other CSOs, and core funding to organisations to strengthen their approaches. Outcomes, lessons and recommendations have been identified. Mainstream participation of key people with disability as both agents of change and beneficiaries of change was identified as a key enabler of success.
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Partnering with Disabled People’s Organisations to improve disability inclusive skills development and economic empowerment in Vanuatu
PDF
After successfully working together to deliver awareness raising activities regarding disability inclusive skills development opportunities in communities across Vanuatu, the Vanuatu Skills Partnership and Vanuatu Disability Promotion and Advocacy Association (VDPA) established a formal relationship. Through this partnership, the Vanuatu Skills Partnership and Disabled People’s Organisation (DPO) support
each other towards shared goals, by providing relevant technical advice and bi-directional capacity development support. Recognising the
limited funding opportunities available to Pacific DPOs, Vanuatu Skills Partnership also funds an appropriate proportion of VDPA’s institutional
costs. This joint work has resulted in increasing demand amongst people with disabilities for disability inclusive skills development, and
improved supply of disability inclusive post-school education and training. The Vanuatu Skills Partnership is a joint investment between the Governments of Australia a
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Engaging a DPO to assist with providing disability advisory services to a health program
PDF
DFAT recruited a disability advisor to support implementing partners develop and implement disability inclusion strategies within the health program in Timor-Leste. By stipulating that these services must be provided in partnership with a national DPO, DFAT was able to ensure DPOs were strongly engaged, but also supported, in providing advisory services. Through this engagement, the DPO developed new relationships with government and non-government partners and increased its capacity to provide advice on disability inclusive health.
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DPO engagement within DFAT disability inclusive development capacity development
PDF
A range of disabled people’s organisations (DPOs) have been involved in short-term disability inclusive development capacity development visits to Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) Posts, as co-facilitators, speakers and advisors. Involving DPOs in disability inclusion trainings and meetings: supports the ‘nothing about us without us’ principle; upholds DFAT’s own strategy principles; ensures that training and advice is contextually relevant; and contributes to establishing and strengthening relationships between DPOs, DFAT, governments and implementing partners. DPO involvement in visits also helps to build DPO capacity and create momentum for DFAT and partners to identify opportunities to support DPOs or involve them in their programs.
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Australia Indonesia Partnership for Justice: A case study on engagement with DPOs
PDF
The Australia Indonesia Partnership for Justice has involved disability inclusion as a key strategy. This has been progressed through a range of approaches, including the participation of DPOs in organisational capacity building together with other CSOs, and core funding to organisations to strengthen their approaches. Outcomes, lessons and recommendations have been identified. Mainstream participation of key people with disability as both agents of change and beneficiaries of change was identified as a key enabler of success.