(Lofa, Bong, Nimba – November 7, 2024) The National Commission on Disabilities (NCD), in partnership with the Associazione Italiana Amaci di Raoul Follereau (AIFO), the National Union of Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (NUOD), the Liberia Labor Congress (LLC), and Deep Tyaagi (DKT International), has launched the Triannual Supervisory Field Mission to Lofa, Bong and Nimba Counties.
Funded by the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA), the four-year, $4 million CAD-L project (2021-2025) seeks to enhance disability-inclusive development through a wide range of strategic activities.
This Supervisory Field Mission focused on data collection to assess the key outcomes in CAD-L’s critical areas: Start-Up Empowerment Grants, Social Dialogue, and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), aligning with the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development. The mission’s findings will inform ongoing efforts to promote empowerment, accessibility, and inclusion for persons with disabilities throughout Liberia.
Since 2021, the CAD-L project has provided over 33 Start-Up grants valued at $3,000 each, primarily benefiting farmers with disabilities engaged in ventures such as animal husbandry, rice production, oil palm and cotton farming, and honey-bee breeding. The mission will evaluate the impact and sustainability of these initiatives, examining coordination, production, sales, leadership structures, challenges, and achievements. Having completed assessments in Lofa and Nimba, the team is now focusing on Bong County.
A vital component of CAD-L is promoting Social Dialogue to support awareness of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the ARREST Agenda. Recent consultations exclusively with PWDs have underscored the importance of Disability Responsive Budgeting, inclusive employment opportunities, and accessible education, all of which are crucial for meaningful representation at district, county, and national levels.
As education remains a cornerstone of the ARREST Agenda, the mission is evaluating TVET institutions’ adaptations to support students with disabilities, including enrolment processes, classroom accessibility, and community support. Initial findings reveal positive progress, despite challenges in infrastructure and resource accessibility.
Reflecting on the mission’s early successes, Samuel S. Dean, Sr., Executive Director of the National Commission on Disabilities, said this mission is a testament to our collective commitment to creating a more inclusive Liberia for persons with disabilities.
“Through partnerships and impactful programs, we are transforming lives, enabling individuals to achieve independence and security. I am encouraged by the progress we’ve observed, and while challenges remain, we are determined to build on this strong foundation for lasting change,” he said.
Early findings from Lofa and Nimba indicate promising outcomes for the CAD-L project, with impactful advancements in disability awareness, vocational training, and inclusive dialogue. The NCD, alongside its dedicated partners, is optimistic about the continued progress of the CAD-L project in empowering persons with disabilities and promoting a more inclusive future in line with the ARREST Agenda.
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