Organization
African Disability Forum(ADF)
The continental membership body of Disabled Persons' Organisations across Africa, established in 2014, uniting and amplifying the voices of persons with disabilities at pan-African, regional, and international levels. ADF is governed by an elected Executive Council drawn from representative DPOs continent-wide.
About
The African Disability Forum (ADF) is the continental membership organisation of Disabled Persons' Organisations (DPOs) across Africa, formally established in 2014. An independent, democratic body, ADF is governed by a 9-member Executive Council elected from representative DPOs spanning all African sub-regions. Its secretariat is based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
What They Do
ADF secures the rights and full inclusion of persons with disabilities by building a stronger, more united African disability movement. Flagship programs include SPADRA (strengthening pan-African DPO representation and accountability), We Can Work (disability-inclusive employment across Africa), HELASIA (health access for persons with disabilities), and CSSO (civil society support operations). ADF engages the African Union, United Nations bodies, and international development partners on disability policy and CRPD implementation.
Who They Serve
ADF's direct members are national and sub-regional DPO federations spanning Southern, East, West, Central, and North Africa. Through these member bodies, ADF ultimately advocates for all persons with disabilities across the African continent — prioritising the principle that disabled people themselves lead decision-making on the issues that affect their lives.
Related Organizations
National Disability Rights Network(NDRN)
FeaturedWashington, DCNationalNDRN is the membership association for the federally mandated Protection & Advocacy (P&A) and Client Assistance Program (CAP) organisations in every US state and territory. P&A organisations provide free legal advocacy and representation to people with disabilities — with a combined budget of over $150 million, they are the largest provider of legal services to people with disabilities in the US.
Mixed LeadershipCross-DisabilityLegal AdvocacyDisability Rights Advocates(DRA)
Oakland, CANationalDRA is a national non-profit legal centre that enforces civil rights for people with all types of disabilities through impact litigation — targeting systemic barriers and setting precedents that benefit entire communities rather than individual clients.
Mixed LeadershipCross-DisabilityLegal AdvocacyAmerican Association of People with Disabilities(AAPD)
Washington, DCNationalAAPD is a national disability membership organisation focused on increasing the political and economic power of people with disabilities, with a particular emphasis on civic engagement, voting rights, and economic advancement.
Disabled-LedCross-DisabilityAdvocacy