Training course on Disability-Inclusive Social Protection Systems

Training Course on Disability-Inclusive Social Protection Systems

Introduction

Disability-Inclusive Social Protection Systems are essential for realizing the human rights of persons with disabilities, reducing their disproportionately high rates of poverty and exclusion, and ensuring their full and effective participation in society. Globally, persons with disabilities often face multiple barriers to accessing education, employment, healthcare, and other essential services, leaving them highly vulnerable to shocks and chronic poverty. Moving beyond ad-hoc or separate disability benefits, this specialized field focuses on systematically mainstreaming disability inclusion into the design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of all social protection policies and programs, ensuring that systems are accessible, equitable, and responsive to the diverse needs of persons with disabilities and their families. It recognizes that genuine social justice and sustainable development cannot be achieved without addressing the systemic exclusion faced by this significant population group.

Training Course on Disability-Inclusive Social Protection Systems is meticulously designed to equip with the advanced theoretical insights and intensive practical tools necessary to excel in Disability-Inclusive Social Protection Systems. We will delve into the foundational concepts of disability from a human rights perspective, master the intricacies of identifying and reaching persons with disabilities through social protection, and explore cutting-edge approaches to accessible program design, inclusive data collection, and multi-stakeholder partnerships. A significant focus will be placed on understanding the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), fostering cross-sectoral collaboration, ensuring adaptive and shock-responsive approaches, and navigating the practical challenges of implementing inclusive initiatives in diverse contexts. By integrating interdisciplinary perspectives, analyzing real-world complex case studies, and engaging in hands-on design and simulation exercises, attendees will develop the strategic acumen to confidently champion and implement disability-inclusive social protection, fostering unparalleled equity, accessibility, and empowerment.

Course Objectives

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to: 

1. Analyze the fundamental concepts of disability from a human rights perspective and its intersection with poverty and vulnerability.
2. Comprehend the strategic importance and potential of social protection in promoting the rights and inclusion of persons with disabilities.
3. Master methodologies for identifying and collecting data on persons with disabilities for social protection purposes.
4. Develop expertise in designing disability-inclusive social protection programs (e.g., cash transfers, public works, social services).
5. Formulate strategies for ensuring physical, informational, and communication accessibility of social protection systems.
6. Understand the critical role of inclusive delivery mechanisms and payment modalities.
7. Implement robust approaches to linking social protection with disability-specific services and support.
8. Explore key policy, legal, and institutional frameworks for disability-inclusive social protection (e.g., CRPD).
9. Apply methodologies for ensuring disability inclusion in shock-responsive social protection (SRSP).
10. Develop strategies for fostering multi-stakeholder coordination and partnerships with Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs).
11. Analyze the challenges and opportunities of implementing disability-inclusive social protection in diverse contexts.
12. Design a preliminary disability-inclusive social protection program for a specific context.
13. Examine global best practices and lessons learned from successful disability-inclusive social protection initiatives.

Target Audience

This course is essential for professionals committed to disability inclusion in social protection:

1. Social Protection Policymakers & Program Managers: Designing and implementing social safety nets.
2. Disability Rights Advocates & Specialists: Working to ensure the rights of persons with disabilities.
3. Humanitarian Aid Workers: Delivering assistance in emergencies with an inclusion lens.
4. Development Practitioners: From NGOs and international organizations focused on poverty and inclusion.
5. Government Officials: From ministries of social welfare, disability affairs, health, and planning.
6. M&E Specialists: Designing and implementing inclusive monitoring and evaluation.
7. Researchers & Policy Analysts: Studying disability inclusion in social protection.
8. Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs): Seeking to strengthen their advocacy and engagement.

Course Duration: 10 Days

Course Modules

Module 1: Understanding Disability from a Human Rights Perspective

• Define disability: exploring the medical, charity, and social models of disability.
• Deep dive into the social model: focusing on barriers in society rather than individual impairment.
• Discuss the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and its core principles.
• Analyze the intersectionality of disability with gender, age, poverty, and other vulnerabilities.
• Overview of global statistics and prevalence of disability.

Module 2: The Imperative for Disability-Inclusive Social Protection

• Explain why persons with disabilities are disproportionately affected by poverty and exclusion.
• Discuss how social protection can address financial insecurity, promote access to services, and reduce barriers.
• Analyze the evidence base on the positive impacts of inclusive social protection on the lives of persons with disabilities.
• Explore the economic and social benefits of investing in disability inclusion.
• Introduce the concept of "Nothing About Us Without Us" in social protection design.

Module 3: Identifying and Collecting Data on Persons with Disabilities

• Methodologies for identifying persons with disabilities for social protection programs (e.g., Washington Group Questions).
• Discuss the importance of disaggregated data on disability types, severity, and age.
• Challenges in data collection in diverse contexts, including informal settlements and remote areas.
• Strategies for ensuring ethical data collection, privacy, and informed consent.
• Leveraging social registries and national databases for disability data.

Module 4: Designing Disability-Inclusive Social Protection Programs

• Principles of Universal Design for social protection programs.
• Adapting eligibility criteria to ensure inclusion of persons with disabilities.
• Designing appropriate benefit levels and modalities (cash, in-kind, services) for diverse disability needs.
• Exploring specific disability-related benefits (e.g., disability grants, care allowances).
• Integrating disability inclusion across all social protection instruments (cash transfers, public works, social services).

Module 5: Ensuring Accessibility of Social Protection Systems

• Physical Accessibility: Ensuring accessible payment points, offices, and infrastructure.
• Informational Accessibility: Providing information in accessible formats (Braille, large print, sign language, easy-to-read).
• Communication Accessibility: Ensuring sign language interpreters, accessible websites, and communication support.
• Attitudinal Accessibility: Training staff to be disability-aware and inclusive.
• Practical exercise: identifying accessibility barriers in a social protection delivery chain.

Module 6: Inclusive Delivery Mechanisms and Payment Modalities

• Discuss various payment modalities (mobile money, bank transfers, direct cash) and their accessibility for persons with disabilities.
• Strategies for adapting payment processes to accommodate diverse needs (e.g., home delivery, proxy payments).
• Partnering with accessible financial service providers (FSPs) and ensuring digital inclusion.
• Addressing barriers related to identification documents and legal capacity for persons with disabilities.
• Case studies of inclusive payment systems.

Module 7: Linking Social Protection with Disability-Specific Services

• The importance of connecting social protection beneficiaries with disability-specific services.
• Strategies for establishing effective referral pathways to health, rehabilitation, assistive technology, and education services.
• Discuss the role of social protection in supporting independent living and community-based rehabilitation.
• Exploring linkages with employment services and vocational training for persons with disabilities.
• Ensuring coordination between social protection and disability service providers.

Module 8: Disability Inclusion in Shock-Responsive Social Protection (SRSP)

• Analyzing the heightened vulnerabilities of persons with disabilities in humanitarian crises.
• Designing shock-responsive social protection (SRSP) that is inherently disability-inclusive.
• Discuss rapid needs assessments and targeting for persons with disabilities in emergencies.
• Strategies for ensuring accessible emergency cash transfers and humanitarian aid.
• Case studies of disability-inclusive SRSP in diverse crisis settings.

Module 9: Policy, Legal, and Institutional Frameworks

• Deep dive into the CRPD and its implications for national social protection policies.
• Reviewing national disability laws and policies and their alignment with social protection.
• Advocating for policy reforms that promote disability inclusion in social protection legislation.
• Strengthening institutional mandates and capacities for disability-inclusive social protection.
• Developing national strategies and action plans for disability inclusion in social protection.

Module 10: Multi-Stakeholder Coordination and Partnerships

• Fostering effective coordination between social protection actors, disability organizations, and other relevant sectors.
• Discuss the critical role of Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) in all stages of program design and implementation.
• Building strong partnerships with civil society, UN agencies, and academic institutions.
• Strategies for ensuring meaningful participation of persons with disabilities in coordination mechanisms.
• Lessons learned from multi-stakeholder collaboration for disability inclusion.

Module 11: Participation, Empowerment, and Accountability

• The importance of ensuring the meaningful participation of persons with disabilities in social protection programs.
• Strategies for empowering persons with disabilities to advocate for their rights and needs.
• Discuss accountability to affected populations (AAP) mechanisms for disability-inclusive programs.
• Establishing accessible feedback and grievance redress mechanisms.
• Promoting the leadership of persons with disabilities in social protection decision-making.

Module 12: Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning, and Future Directions

• Designing robust M&E frameworks for disability-inclusive social protection programs.
• Developing disability-specific indicators and collecting disaggregated data to track outcomes.
• Using participatory M&E approaches that engage persons with disabilities.
• Analyzing data to assess the impact of social protection on the well-being and inclusion of persons with disabilities.
• Exploring emerging trends and innovations: assistive technology, digital accessibility, universal social protection.

 

Training Methodology

• Interactive Workshops: Facilitated discussions, group exercises, and problem-solving activities.
• Case Studies: Real-world examples to illustrate successful community-based surveillance practices.
• Role-Playing and Simulations: Practice engaging communities in surveillance activities.
• Expert Presentations: Insights from experienced public health professionals and community leaders.
• Group Projects: Collaborative development of community surveillance plans.
• Action Planning: Development of personalized action plans for implementing community-based surveillance.
• Digital Tools and Resources: Utilization of online platforms for collaboration and learning.
• Peer-to-Peer Learning: Sharing experiences and insights on community engagement.
• Post-Training Support: Access to online forums, mentorship, and continued learning resources.

 

Register as a group from 3 participants for a Discount

Send us an email: info@datastatresearch.org or call +254724527104

Certification

Upon successful completion of this training, participants will be issu