IDA is a strategic partner of the Disability Inclusive Development programme, a consortium project led by Sightsavers and funded by DFID.

The DFID Disability Inclusive Development (DID) Programme is designed to contribute to the long-term improved well-being and inclusion of all people with disabilities in low-and-middle-income countries. DID will carry out a series of small-scale interventions around increased access to health care and education, improved livelihoods and reduced stigma and discrimination, using new development approaches such as adaptive management and community-based consultation to deliver better quality of life for persons with disabilities and accelerate the realisation of their human rights. The programme will create a solid evidence base around what delivers positive results for persons with disabilities to scale up, as well as ensure this data and evidence is disseminated and informs the global community and governments.

DID will run for six years and complement DFID’s current disability inclusion programming including UK Aid Connect. The programme officially started on 17th July 2018 and the first 6 months (up to the 17 January 2019) is the design phase. During design phase, the projects in each country, and at a global level, will be developed. It is expected that the implementation phase of the programme started in February 2019 and will run for 5 ½ years until the end of July 2024.

The oveall programme budget is £29.25m over 6 years. The programme is funded through a DFID commercial contract.

The DID programme is being implemented in 6 countries:

  1. Bangladesh
  2. Kenya
  3. Nigeria
  4. Tanzania
  5. Jordan/Lebanon
  6. Nepal

The DID Consortium is led by Sightsavers and partners are:

  1. Action on Disability and Development (ADD)
  2. BBC Media Action (BBCMA)
  3. BRAC
  4. Humanity and Inclusion (HI)
  5. International Disability Alliance
  6. Institute of Development Studies (IDS)
  7. Leonard Cheshire
  8. Light for the World (LFTW)
  9. Sense international
  10. Social Development Direct (SDD)

IDA is part of the Executive Group of the DID consortium, thereby playing a strategic role in the governance of the project to monitor and advise on CRPD compliance and meaningful engagement of DPOs, including underrepresented groups. During the first year of the project, IDA will focus on establishing the tools, mechanisms and coordination required for this at different levels including national, regional, global levels, and through DID functions such as the research and help-desk.