Highlights from Inclusive Futures’ panel discussion at the African Disability Forum Conference, the premiere of our new video and the road to the Global Disability Summit.

Inclusive Futures recently hosted a panel event at the African Disability Forum conference in Nairobi. The event gave a platform to leaders in the global disability rights movement and highlighted some of the lessons we’ve learned collectively from working in partnership with around 100 organisations of people with disabilities (OPDs) to co-design and deliver programmes in education, health care, livelihoods and tackling negative stereotyping, stigma and discrimination.

The panel session started with a screening of our new video ‘Inclusion is…’. It was moderated by programme director, Johannes Trimmel and featured contributions from Sally Nduta (United Disabled Persons of Kenya), Lucy Mulombii (Kakamega Disability Caucus), José Viera (International Disability Alliance, IDA) and Dom Haslam (Sightsavers).

Sally Nduta is CEO of United Disabled Persons of Kenya (UDPK). She discussed the importance of building meaningful partnerships and the progress of the disability movement in Kenya.

“I believe in nothing for us without us,” she said. “The Inclusive Futures programme has been instrumental in shifting the mindset of both government officials and the general public towards disability inclusion.

“We’re seeing a growing recognition that people with disabilities are valuable contributors to society.”

Lucy Mulombii is a grassroots disability rights activist from rural Kenya. She reflected on the importance of building collaborative partnerships across the disability movement and ensuring the voices of women with disabilities are heard.

“I believe that… alone we can do little, and together we can do much,” she said.

“As a grassroots woman with a physical disability, I’ve experienced first-hand the barriers faced by people with disabilities in Kenya. Inclusive Futures has given me a platform to advocate for change and empower others to do the same.”

José Viera is interim executive director of IDA and was previously the organisation’s director of advocacy. He spoke about the importance of programmes like Inclusive Futures showing that the principles outlined in the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) are achievable.

“IDA’s involvement in Inclusive Futures has been a game-changer,” he said. “We’ve been able to move beyond advocacy and into the realm of practical implementation, demonstrating that the CRPD is not just a piece of paper but a blueprint for a more inclusive future.”

Dom Haslam is deputy CEO of Sightsavers. He reflected on the journey the Inclusive Futures consortium has taken and the importance of genuine partnerships.

“Partnership is a choice, and Inclusive Futures has shown us that that choice comes with a lot of positive outcomes,” he explained.

“Inclusive Futures has shown us that partnerships are essential for achieving meaningful change. By working together with OPDs, governments, and other stakeholders, we’ve been able to create a more inclusive and equitable world.”