The participation of the disabled in decision-making

‘The unstable path: towards the meaningful participation of disabled people’s organisations’. Under this title, the Bridging the Gap project held a webinar to share the results of its study on the participation of disabled people’s organisations (DPO) in decision-making.  The study also analysed the role of international cooperation in this process. 

The author of the publication, Alexandre Cote, led the webinar and presented the research methodology, results and recommendations, encouraging discussion among a wide audience. Development cooperation professionals, members of DPOs and national institutions from Bridging the Gap II partner countries (Burkina Faso, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Paraguay and Sudan) all participated in the webinar.  

In a context in which States do not always take disabled people into account when making decisions, international cooperation is essential to strengthen the capacity of DPOs.   

For this reason, the Bridging the Gap project, led by FIIAPP and funded by the European Union, has carried out a study as part of its knowledge management strategy to evaluate the “significant participation” of DPOs in decision-making by governments. 

The study also addresses the extent to which governments create a suitable environment for DPO participation and looks at the different types of relationships between the Government and DPOs on their way to achieving meaningful participation.