Social Protection For Persons With Disabilities Training Course

Introduction

Ensuring that Social Protection systems truly leave no one behind requires dedicated efforts to design and implement programs that are explicitly inclusive of and responsive to the needs of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs). This essential training course is meticulously designed to equip policymakers, program managers, disability advocates, and development practitioners with the specialized knowledge and practical skills required to overcome barriers and ensure equitable access and support for PwDs within social protection frameworks. Participants will gain a robust understanding of rights-based approaches, disability-inclusive design principles, accessible delivery mechanisms, and targeted interventions, enabling them to create programs that truly empower individuals with disabilities and their households. Our comprehensive curriculum emphasizes hands-on application, best practices, and real-world case studies pertinent to the dynamic social development landscape in Nairobi, Kenya, and across the African continent, empowering you to champion disability inclusion.

This disability-inclusive social protection course is crucial for individuals and organizations in Kenya and across Africa striving to uphold human rights, reduce poverty, and promote the full participation of persons with disabilities in society. Mastering disability-sensitive program design, implementing accessible social assistance mechanisms, and understanding strategies for empowering PwDs through social protection are indispensable for addressing unique vulnerabilities, fostering economic independence, and challenging existing discrimination. This program offers an unparalleled opportunity to elevate your expertise in inclusive social protection policies and rights-based disability programming, positioning your organization at the forefront of equitable development and driving significant social justice outcomes across the region.

Target Audience

• Social Protection Policy Makers
• Disability Inclusion Specialists
• Program Managers (Government, NGOs, DPOs - Disabled Persons' Organizations)
• Community Development Workers
• Human Rights Advocates
• Researchers in Disability & Social Policy
• Public Service Delivery Personnel

Course Objectives

• Understand the rights-based approach to disability and its implications for social protection.
• Learn the global and national frameworks for disability inclusion in social protection.
• Master principles for identifying and assessing the diverse needs of Persons with Disabilities.
• Develop proficiency in designing social protection programs that are truly disability-inclusive.
• Explore accessible registration, targeting, and payment mechanisms for PwDs.
• Understand strategies for linking social protection to disability-specific services (e.g., rehabilitation, assistive devices).
• Learn about employment and livelihood support within social protection for PwDs.
• Identify barriers to access and participation for PwDs in social protection programs.
• Develop effective communication and outreach strategies to reach PwDs and their caregivers.
• Understand the importance of data collection, disaggregation, and monitoring for disability inclusion.
• Explore the role of Disabled Persons' Organizations (DPOs) in program design and advocacy.
• Drive the implementation of social protection programs that promote the full inclusion and empowerment of PwDs.
• Position yourself as a champion for disability rights and equitable social protection.

Duration

5 Days

Course Content

Module 1: Understanding Disability and Rights-Based Approaches

• Defining disability: medical vs. social models of disability
• Human rights framework for persons with disabilities (UN CRPD, national legislation in Kenya)
• Intersectionality: how disability intersects with gender, age, poverty, etc.
• Prevalence of disability and its link to poverty and exclusion
• Overview of social protection instruments and their current reach among PwDs

Module 2: Barriers to Accessing Social Protection for PwDs

• Physical and communication barriers to accessing social protection services
• Attitudinal barriers and stigma against PwDs
• Informational barriers and lack of awareness about programs
• Operational barriers in registration, targeting, and payment processes
• Identifying systemic barriers and their impact on PwDs' participation

Module 3: Inclusive Design Principles for Social Protection

• Universal design principles applied to social protection programs
• Designing disability-sensitive eligibility criteria and targeting mechanisms
• Adapting program rules and conditions to accommodate diverse disabilities
• Ensuring flexibility and choice in benefit delivery
• Examples of good practice in inclusive program design

Module 4: Accessible Service Delivery and Communication

• Making registration processes physically and digitally accessible
• Providing information in accessible formats (Braille, sign language, easy-to-read)
• Training frontline staff on disability awareness and inclusive communication
• Leveraging technology for accessible outreach and service delivery
• Addressing communication barriers for persons with sensory impairments

Module 5: Linking Social Protection to Disability-Specific Services

• Importance of linking cash transfers to essential services for PwDs
• Referral mechanisms to rehabilitation, assistive devices, and healthcare
• Access to education, vocational training, and employment support
• Community-based rehabilitation (CBR) and its interface with social protection
• Case studies of integrated service delivery for PwDs

Module 6: Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning for Disability Inclusion

• Collecting disability-disaggregated data in social protection programs
• Using the Washington Group Short Set of Questions for disability identification
• Developing disability-sensitive indicators for outcomes and impacts
• Incorporating the voices of PwDs in M&E processes
• Learning from data to continuously improve inclusion

Module 7: Advocacy, Policy & Future Directions for Disability Inclusion

• Role of Disabled Persons' Organizations (DPOs) in advocacy and program design
• Strengthening legal and policy frameworks for disability-inclusive social protection
• Budgeting for disability inclusion: estimating costs and allocating resources
• Global trends and innovations in disability-inclusive social protection
• Developing a national roadmap for universal social protection for PwDs

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.