Building an Inclusive Development Community Project

Implementing Partners: Mobility International USA (MIUSA)

DPO Partners: Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF), Mental Disability Rights International (MDRI), World Institute on Disability (WID), US International Council on Disability (USICD) and local DPOs.

Funding Period: September 2008 - April 2010

Funding Amount: $1,000,000

The project works to increase the participation of people with disabilities, including women and girls, in US-based international development programs as participants, agents, administrators, and consultants. The project focuses on strengthening USAID mission responses and the capacity of local disabled person organizations to reduce the barriers that people with disabilities may encounter in participating in civic, social, employment, and other activities.

MIUSA is building on its past activities by expanding to up to four new countries. MIUSA and its partners work with the field staff of US-based development organizations to provide training and strategic planning sessions to facilitate the inclusion of people with disabilities. In addition, MIUSA develops and implements training on inclusive development with indigenous implementing organizations, representatives of local DPOs, and representatives of governmental and nongovernmental programs that are providing services to people with disabilities. The program also hosts an online resource center for inclusive development.