Africa Disability Forum Launched

November 17-19, 2014 marked the successful official launch of Africa Disability Forum (ADF). ADF is a broad representative continental membership platform which brings together continental, sub-regional and national organisations of disabled people. The aim is to make sure decisions concerning disabled people in Africa are taken with and by disabled people and their families and their organizations advocating for their rights and inclusion in all aspects of development and society at Pan African, sub-regional and national levels.

The launch took place at the UN Conference Centre in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, with nearly 40 representatives of regional and national leaders of organisations of persons with disabilities (DPOs) in Africa. Inclusion Africa Board Member Fauzia Haji and Regional Coordinator Shikuku Obosi participated at the meeting.

The ADF constitution was amended to allow for a representation of family based organisations of people with intellectual disabilities at the Executive Council. Consequently, Inclusion Africa was nominated to the Interim Working Group pending the election of a formal Executive Council at the first ADF General Assembly, to be held in 2015.