The Able Child Africa Network are proud to present the results from our first consortium-wide project: Amplifying the Voices of Children with Disabilities.

Children with disabilities are rarely asked directly about their thoughts, feelings, and desires. In Africa, surveys that capture their voices firsthand are scarce, making their perspectives largely unheard in research and decision-making.

As part of the Network’s creation, a growth strategy was developed to guide its evolution from formation to realisation, with a strong emphasis on being member led. A key component of this strategy is to “contribute to coordinated systems of data collection to identify gaps and prove models of success.”

Additionally, the Network’s Theory of Change aims to “raise the voices of children and young people with disabilities.” This survey was a crucial first step in achieving that goal by directly gathering insights from children with disabilities, ensuring their voices are represented in available data.

This initiative marked the first consortium-wide project involving all Network members, building on previous surveys conducted with caregivers and teachers. However, unlike past efforts, such as those by UNICEF and Save the Children, which relied heavily on desktop research, this project directly
engaged children, capturing their perspectives firsthand.

Spanning seven countries and including children with diverse disabilities from both urban and rural settings, the survey provided a rich, authentic dataset. These insights are essential for shaping policies and guiding funding decisions to better support children with disabilities across East and Southern Africa.

This report:

• presents the findings of a survey conducted to understand the priorities and experiences of children with disabilities in East and Southern Africa regarding their human rights
• aims to provide valuable insights into the challenges and barriers these children face
• sheds light on the needs and aspirations these children have for a better world.

By ensuring their voices are heard, the report seeks to inform policy and programme development to better support the realisation of the rights of children with disabilities across the continent.  

If you would like to contact us about anything in this survey, please email info@ablechildnetwork.org