The mission of the Secretariat of the African Decade of Persons with Disabilities (SADPD) is to empower governments, Decade Steering Committees (DSCs), Disabled Persons’ Organisations (DPOs) and development organizations to work in partnership to include disability and persons with disabilities into policies and programs in all sectors of society in Africa. The Secretariat will focus on the establishment and strengthening of Decade Steering Committees in at least twenty countries by 2009. Strong DSCs are structures that enable local DPOs, government officials, the media, development organizations and donors to work together to ensure that disability and persons with disabilities are integrated into mainstream policies and programmes. The DSCs allow us to work in a comprehensive and consensual manner with major stakeholders. This partnership is of great importance in facilitating the implementation of the Continental Plan of Action for the African Decade. We build capacity in the DSCs in the areas of inclusive development, programme design and management, advocacy and lobbying, resource mobilization, leadership, as well as in monitoring and evaluation of programmes.

Another important priority for the Secretariat is to assist the most vulnerable disability groups, such as persons with mental disabilities, persons who are deaf-blind and those with albinism, to build strong continental DPOs. They need assistance to set up organisational frameworks and to build capacity. This is a long term commitment as such processes take considerable time, and cannot be rushed.

The Secretariat will also emphasise leadership development. This is required at many different levels and in almost all DPOs. Particular emphasis should be given to the development of women and youth leaders within the disability movement, as they are currently under-represented. Women with disabilities, as well as youth and children with disabilities, are more disadvantaged than other groups. Hence, we have designed programmes that can address and improve this situation.

Persons with disabilities may suffer from HIV & AIDS. There is a lot of ignorance and stigma in this regard. SADPD is actively involved in raising awareness – among disabled persons as well as among the population at large – to change this situation. This is part of our broader communications and awareness-raising programme.

Furthermore, SADPD undertakes research on various disability matters, to inform policy. This is generally done together with research institutions and universities.

One of the most important functions of SADPD is to coordinate efforts and resources that are put into disability programmes in Africa. By working jointly with other development organisations, such as Handicap International, ILO, UNESCO, UNDESA and CBM, the Secretariat will use its resources in an effective and efficient manner, limit duplication and enhance the spread of best practices.