USAID Disability Policy Paper
This policy paper articulates the U.S. Agency for International Development’s (USAID) commitment to pursue advocacy for, outreach to, and inclusion of people with physical and cognitive disabilities, to the maximum extent feasible, in the design and implementation of USAID programming, and provides guidance for making that commitment operational. It is the product of a comprehensive consultative process between USAID and its partners, and responds to issues identified in that process. Note that this policy applies to the use of Agency program funds only and complements USAID’s personnel and staffing disability policies. The paper provides the basis from which a policy directive will be developed. Finally, this paper outlines the fundamental principles on which the USAID disability policy is based, including:
- need for a comprehensive and consistent approach to considering people with disabilities, being sure to include women and children, within USAID and in USAID assisted activities;
- outreach to and early consultation with persons with disabilities and the community of organizations concerned about them as part of ongoing participatory processes;
- intent to work as development partners with US and foreign PVOs and NGOs committed to persons with disabilities and to facilitate relationships among these entities; and
- encouragement of U.S. interagency collaboration and networking among donors and other diverse entities concerned about persons with disabilities with a view to increasing impact and sustaining these efforts.