Planning

A participatory planning process involving Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) results in their more meaningful and engaged participation in the implementation and evaluation phase. This in turn will ensure that the objectives and strategies are embedded in a non-discriminatory climate.

It is crucial to create an atmosphere of equal interaction based on listening and mutual acceptance of views while engaging with OPDs. In addition, it is vital to ensure effective communication with opportunities to speak, the freedom to express viewpoints, and the right to make mistakes. For this intensive preparation for planning the inclusive participatory process is important. Such preparations would include ensuring OPDs have all relevant information about the planned project and process at hand as early as possible and making the participatory process accessible and inclusive. This includes addressing reasonable accommodations where needed to ensure individuals can participate without discrimination.  A pre-consultation meeting (before the planning workshop) could be offered to the OPDs participants where necessary.

OPDs engaging in the planning phase can:

• provide guidance to monitor that the overall and specific objectives identify and overcome the gaps and barriers to disability inclusion;
• provide information on the risks and assumptions related to disability inclusion and suggest alternatives;
• help include results, indicators, and activities in the log frame that contribute to disability inclusion;
• ensure proposed project activities are suitable to effectively reach persons with disabilities in their diversity and to overcome barriers;
• identify participatory mechanisms for inclusive monitoring of the future project.