Disability-inclusive Social Protection Program Design Training Course

Introduction

Ensuring equitable access and effective support for Persons with Disabilities is a fundamental imperative in building truly universal and just social welfare systems. This essential training course is meticulously designed to equip policymakers, social protection practitioners, disability advocates, program managers, and development specialists with the specialized knowledge and practical skills required for Disability-Inclusive Social Protection Program Design, focusing on ensuring accessibility and tailored support. Participants will gain a robust understanding of disability rights frameworks, diverse needs of persons with disabilities, inclusive targeting, accessible delivery mechanisms, reasonable accommodation, and integrated service provision, enabling them to create programs that effectively reach and empower this often-marginalized population. Our comprehensive curriculum emphasizes hands-on application, best practices, and real-world case studies pertinent to the social development landscape in Nairobi, Kenya, and across the African continent, empowering you to foster inclusive societies.

This inclusive social safety net course is crucial for individuals and organizations in Kenya striving to fulfill international and national commitments to disability rights, reduce vulnerability, and enhance the participation of persons with disabilities in society and the economy. Mastering universal design for social programs, implementing disability-sensitive targeting, and understanding strategies for accessible cash transfers are indispensable for addressing barriers, promoting equal opportunities, and ensuring that social protection genuinely leaves no one behind. This program offers an unparalleled opportunity to elevate your expertise in disability inclusion in development and rights-based social protection, positioning your organization at the forefront of equitable social policy and driving significant human development outcomes across the region.

Target Audience

• Social Protection Policy Makers & Program Managers
• Disability Inclusion Specialists & Advocates
• Government Officials (Social Affairs, Gender, Disability Affairs)
• Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs)
• Humanitarian Aid Workers
• Researchers in Disability & Development
• Community Development Workers

Course Objectives

• Understand the diverse experiences and rights of persons with disabilities within a social model of disability.
• Learn about international and national disability rights frameworks relevant to social protection (e.g., CRPD, Persons with Disabilities Act of Kenya).
• Master principles for conducting disability-inclusive needs assessments and data collection.
• Develop proficiency in designing social protection programs that are accessible and tailored for persons with disabilities.
• Explore strategies for inclusive targeting and registration of persons with disabilities in social registries.
• Understand various accessible delivery mechanisms for social protection benefits.
• Learn about the concept of reasonable accommodation in social protection services.
• Identify barriers to access and participation for persons with disabilities in social protection.
• Develop effective multi-sectoral coordination for integrated support services.
• Understand the role of assistive technology and accessible information in social protection.
• Explore monitoring, evaluation, and accountability mechanisms for disability inclusion.
• Drive the implementation of social protection programs that are truly disability-inclusive.
• Position yourself as a champion for the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities.

Duration

5 Days

Course Content

Module 1. Understanding Disability and Rights Frameworks

• Social vs. medical models of disability: shifting paradigms
• Diverse types of disabilities and their implications for social protection
• The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and its core principles
• Kenya's Persons with Disabilities Act and national policies on disability
• Intersectionality: disability, gender, age, and other vulnerabilities

Module 2. Disability-Inclusive Needs Assessment and Data

• Challenges in collecting disaggregated data on persons with disabilities
• Using the Washington Group Questions for inclusive data collection
• Participatory approaches to needs assessment with persons with disabilities
• Identifying specific barriers and vulnerabilities within social protection systems
• Ethical considerations in data collection on disability

Module 3. Designing Accessible Social Protection Programs

• Principles of universal design applied to social protection
• Adapting program rules, eligibility criteria, and benefit levels for disability
• Considering extra costs associated with disability (e.g., care, transport, assistive devices)
• Designing disability-specific benefits vs. mainstreaming inclusion
• Incorporating reasonable accommodation throughout the program cycle

Module 4: Inclusive Targeting and Registration

• Overcoming barriers to registration for persons with disabilities
• Accessible registration formats and support for diverse needs
• Ensuring persons with disabilities are accurately identified in social registries
• Community-based targeting and validation with disability focus
• Preventing exclusion errors and promoting inclusion of unseen disabilities

Module 5. Accessible Delivery Mechanisms and Grievance Redress

• Adapting payment delivery methods for accessibility (e.g., home delivery, accessible ATMs, digital payments)
• Providing information in accessible formats (e.g., Braille, sign language, easy-to-read)
• Accessible physical infrastructure for service points
• Designing inclusive feedback and grievance redress mechanisms (GRMs)
• Role of intermediaries and support persons in access

Module 6: Integrated Support and Referral Pathways

• Linking social protection to essential services: health, rehabilitation, education, assistive technology
• Referral pathways to specialized disability services and support organizations
• Promoting livelihood opportunities and employment for persons with disabilities
• The role of CSOs and Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) in service provision
• Multi-sectoral collaboration for comprehensive support

Module 7: Monitoring, Evaluation, and Advocacy module

• Developing disability-sensitive indicators for monitoring social protection outcomes
• Participatory monitoring and evaluation involving persons with disabilities
• Using evidence to advocate for stronger disability-inclusive policies and funding
• Challenges and successes in implementing disability-inclusive social protection in Kenya
• Future directions and innovations in disability inclusion

Training Approach

This course will be delivered by our skilled trainers who have vast knowledge and experience as expert professionals in the fields. The course is taught in English and through a mix of theory, practical activities, group discussion and case studies. Course manuals and additional training materials will be provided to the participants upon completion of the training.

Tailor-Made Course

This course can also be tailor-made to meet organization requirement. For further inquiries, please contact us on: Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org  Tel: +254 702 249 449

Training Venue

The training will be held at our Skills for Africa Training Institute Training Centre.

We also offer training for a group at requested location all over the world. The course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, and buffet lunch.

Visa application, travel expenses, airport transfers, dinners, accommodation, insurance, and other personal expenses are catered by the participant

Certification

Participants will be issued with Skills for Africa Training Institute certificate upon completion of this course.

Airport Pickup and Accommodation

Airport pickup and accommodation is arranged upon request. For booking contact our Training Coordinator through Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org  Tel: +254 702 249 449

Terms of Payment: Unless otherwise agreed between the two parties’ payment of the course fee should be done 10 working days before commencement of the training.