Empowering OPDs to Lead Change
Creating inclusive futures starts by empowering those at the forefront of change. Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) play a critical role in advocating for the rights, needs, and aspirations of persons with disabilities. In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), this advocacy is especially important as OPDs work to overcome entrenched barriers and amplify access to life-changing Assistive Technology (AT).
As part of the Global Disability Innovation Hub’s UK aid-funded AT2030 programme, a regional initiative has been rolled out to deepen understanding of OPD needs and priorities in Kenya and Pakistan. In Kenya, this work is led by Kilimanjaro Blind Trust Africa (KBTA), and in Pakistan, by the Special Talent Exchange Program (STEP). These efforts fall under the “Include” cluster of AT2030, focusing on leadership and engagement to drive systemic change.
In Kenya, KBTA in partnership with the Global Disability Innovation Hub carried out a comprehensive needs assessment in Nairobi, Mombasa, and Kisumu to understand the real-world challenges OPDs face. This process included focus group discussions with 84 OPDs and a nationwide survey completed by 209 organisations.
What emerged was a candid picture of persistent barriers: limited access to assistive technologies and digital tools, insufficient engagement in policymaking, and a lack of stable funding sources. OPDs also cited gaps in leadership, governance, and opportunities for collaboration—especially with private sector actors. The disparity between urban and rural OPDs was also stark, with rural-based OPDs in Kisumu often having less access to resources than their counterparts in Nairobi and Mombasa.
Crucially, OPD leaders expressed a clear need for tailored training to enhance digital literacy, advocacy skills, and organisational management. Many also called for platforms to support knowledge exchange, collaboration, and peer learning.
In response to the findings, KBTA and GDI Hub designed a set of capacity-building workshops focused on addressing the identified gaps. These included:
- Training on mobile-based AT and digital tools
- Grant writing and resource mobilisation
- Storytelling for advocacy
- Using generative AI for improved information access
- Strengthening leadership, governance, and operational capacity
In addition, ten OPD representatives were interviewed to capture their lived experiences, share motivations for their advocacy work, and reflect on the impact of these interventions.
This initiative lays the foundation for meaningful, sustained improvements in how OPDs operate and advocate by investing in leadership, technical training, and collaboration frameworks. Through this approach, KBTA and the GDI Hub are equipping OPDs to scale their impact, better serve their communities, and strengthen their ability to deliver on their missions. At the same time, the project enhances OPDs’ influence within broader policy and development ecosystems, amplifying their role in shaping more inclusive and accessible societies.
Watch stories from OPD representatives across Kenya and hear their voices firsthand: