Participation of people with disabilities and OPDs
A central principle of the disability rights movement has been 'nothing about us without us', or more recently, 'nothing without us'. This means that no policy or program should be designed, implemented, or evaluated without the active engagement and involvement of people with disabilities. Inclusive development practice recognises the contribution that people with disabilities can make as key stakeholders, when provided opportunities to be involved in decision-making. Article 3 and Article 4.3 of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) highlight that people with disabilities must play a central and active role in ensuring that their human rights are translated into concrete measures to effectively improve their lives.
One way of doing this, is by engaging Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs). OPDs, also known as DPOs, are organisations made up of people with disabilities, which exist to represent the interests of their members to progress disability rights and inclusion in society. The CRPD recognises the role of OPDs and requires governments to consult with them in the development of legislation and policies to implement the CRPD. Some OPDs represent people of all disability types, while others may focus on a particular disability type, sectoral issue, or represent geographical areas such as local, provincial, national, regional or international.
Resources in this section provide evidence, research, and guidelines relating to the participation and inclusion of people with disabilities and OPDs in development and humanitarian programs.
CBM Australia (2025) Supporting the Pacific Disability Forum to Engage in and Influence Development Processes: Impacts of Outcome 2 of the DFAT-CBM IAG Partnership
This case study documents the value and impact of support CBM IAG has provided to Pacific Disability Forum (PDF) through the DFAT-CBM IAG Partnership, from 2018-25.
UNPRPD (2024) Guidance Note on Meaningful Participation of Marginalized and Underrepresented Persons with Disabilities
This resource serves as a comprehensive roadmap for how programs can outreach to and engage with OPDs representing marginalized and underrepresented persons with disabilities ensuring accessible and inclusive engagement processes and decision-making mechanisms.
CBM-Nossal (2024) Disability Equity and Rights Essay: Meaningful rights-based engagement with Organisations of People with Disabilities
This ‘Disability equity and rights: Challenges, opportunities, and ways forward for inclusive development’ publication was prepared under the DFAT – CBM Inclusion Advisory Group Disability Inclusion Technical Partnership, an Australian aid initiative implemented by CBM Inclusion Advisory Group and the Nossal Institute for Global Health at the University of Melbourne.
Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (2016) Report on the rights of persons with disabilities to participate in decision-making
This report by the Special Rapporteur on the rights of persons with disabilities calls for necessity of strong participation mechanisms to facilitate better policies and services, and more effective governance for people with disabilities.
International Disability Alliance (2022) Not just ticking the disability box? Meaningful OPD participation and the risk of tokenism
This report presents findings from the second IDA Global Survey on the Participation of Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs). The key findings from the Survey reveal that increased participation of OPDs has not resulted in meaningful participation.
Inclusion International and Down Syndrome International (2022) Listen Include Respect: How-to guides on including people with intellectual disabilities
The guidelines formed by Inclusion International and Down Syndrome International explain how organisations can make their work more inclusive.
UNCRPD Committee (2018) General Comment on Participation of persons with disabilities through their representative organisations in the implementation and monitoring of the Convention
This legal guidance, issued as General Comment No. 7, upholds the right of all persons with disabilities to participate and be involved in all issues relating to them.
United Nations Disability Inclusion Strategy (2021) Consulting Persons with Disabilities: Guidelines
These Guidelines provide practical guidance on how to consult people with disabilities and their representative organisations (OPDs) in all disability-specific and general decision-making processes across the UN’s work.
CBM Global (2023) Strengthening the voice of Organizations of Persons with Psychosocial Disabilities
This resource seeks to document and share CBM Global's learnings about OPD strengthening for people with psychosocial disabilities and mental health conditions.
UNPRPD (2024) Guidance Note on Effective and Meaningful Participation of Persons with Disabilities through their representative organizations in UNPRPD Joint programming
This resource provides practical guidance on how to identify and engage Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs), including understanding the diversity and structure of the disability movement.
Humanitarian Advisory Group (2023) Giving Rise to Rights: Barriers & Enablers to Participation of Persons with Disability in PNG
This study explores the barriers and enablers related to disability inclusion in Papua New Guinea (PNG).
