A survey to understand and amplify the experiences and priorities of children with disabilities in relation to their human rights.
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. 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. This survey aimed to provide valuable insights into the challenges and barriers these children face and their needs and aspirations for a better world. By highlighting their voices, the report seeks to inform policy and programme development to better support the realisation of the rights of children with disabilities across the continent.
The preparation of this survey and initial data analysis was led by Dennis Moogi. Following this, Maya Sethi conducted further analysis and wrote the final report, incorporating Dennis’s contributions while expanding on the analysis to further align with the objectives of the Able Child Africa Network. The children and young people with disabilities who came forward to share their human rights experiences and priorities made this research possible.
We are enormously grateful to these contributors for their generosity of time and their willingness to speak openly about their experiences. We are also indebted to the following Able Child Africa Network members in Africa: Action Network for the Disabled (ANDY), The Action Foundation (TAF), Parents of Disabled Children Association of Malawi (PODCAM), Federation of Disability Organisations in Malawi (FEDOMA), Uwezo Youth Empowerment (UWEZO), Child Support Tanzania (CST), Uganda Society for Disabled Children (USDC), Zambia Association of Parents for Children with Disabilities (ZAPCD), and Zimbabwe Parents of Handicapped Children Association (ZPHCA).
Partner organisations and the Network leads made this possible by assessing and mobilising the respondents and supporting them to make decisions about participating and facilitating their involvement. Finally, big thanks go to the children, parents and teachers who welcomed the data collectors into their homes and schools to conduct the survey.
This survey, and report, was funded through the partnership with Able Child.
Published by
© Able Child Africa Network, March 2025
Permission is required to reproduce any part of this publication. Permission will be freely granted to educational or non-profit organisations.
To request permission or for any other information on this publication, please contact:
info@ablechildnetwork.org
Suggested citation
Able Child Africa Network, Amplifying the Voices of Children with Disabilities (2025)
Included: Using data to understand and amplify the experiences and priorities of children with disabilities in relation to their human rights, Able Child Africa Network, 2025.
Photography credits
Brian Inganga (Kenya), Enoch Kavindele Jr. (Zambia), Malumbo Simwaka (Malawi), Max Bwire (Uganda), Serrah Galos (Rwanda) and Thoko Chikondi (Malawi).
Design credits
Michèle Renée Creative
