Institutional Development Program

Changing what it means to be blind and/or visually impaired in Africa.

The Institutional Development Program (IDP) works to expand the capacity of organizations of and for the blind in Africa to advocate for opportunities for improved policies and equal participation for people who are blind and visually impaired. For individuals, the IDP builds personal confidence and enables people who are blind to seek a life of independence, productivity, and self-determination. For organizations, the IDP strengthens the operational capacity of agencies providing and/or advocating for services to people who are blind or partially sighted through training, technical support, consultancy, and mentoring to partner organizations.

SAVE THE DATE! Announcing the 5th IDP Africa Forum, Access Africa July 3-8, 2011. This is the only international conference on blindness services in Africa. Learn more.

The Need for the IDP

In Africa, more than 20 million people who are blind and partially sighted are in need of services. Organizations of people who are blind are developed as entities to advocate for opportunities for citizenship and equal participation for people who are blind and partially sighted. Every member country of the African Union has an organization of people who are blind in need of capacity building and service models. Women, girls, and children and youth with visual disabilities are among the most underprivileged people in Africa. 

IDP’s Values

The philosophy of the IDP is grounded in a belief in the empowerment of the individual. The program works to empower people who are blind and partially sighted to participate fully in their communities by strengthening the capacity of organizations of and for the blind.

We do this by:

• Developing leadership skills at national and community levels
• Building democratic systems that are operated and managed transparently by participating organizations
• Strengthening the capacity of partner organizations to provide a range of services for blind people
• Facilitating access to services
• Building individual and group capacity to advocate for their rights as members of society in general and their home community in particular

Development and Structure of the IDP

The IDP was founded in 1991 by Sight Savers International and the Hilton/Perkins Program to support the work of the World Blind Union (WBU) and the African Union of the Blind (AFUB). The IDP is managed by an international team led by Perkins International, supported by a senior manager from Sight Savers International, and a team of consultants and trainers, all of whom are Africans. The IDP is led by and recruits trainers who are blind and partially sighted.  

Download our IDP Brochure as a PDF document.

Access Africa: The 5th IDP Africa Forum

Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration
July 3-8, 2011

The IDP is the central coordinating body of the African Forum, the only continent-wide conference on blindness. The event is a significant opportunity for intra-African networking among organizations, professionals, families, and people who are blind and visually impaired. 

Access Africa, the 5th Africa Forum, is a call to share the continent, its culture and its environment. The Africa Forum will break down barriers, create limitless opportunities and share information on avenues for an inclusive society to build upon the declaration and signing of the Charter on Persons with Disabilities.

Full access requires access to information through accessible reading materials, access to the environment through safer streets, access to employment though job training and advocacy, access to recreation, access to quality healthcare, and much more. 

Access Africa will focus on using the power of technology to advance equality and rights of persons who are blind and partially sighted. Teaming up with TechShare, the forum will offer demonstrations and presentations on assistive technology providing greater independence to individuals who are blind or visually impaired.

Come and join with over 350 delegates, including parents, persons who are blind and partially sighted, representatives from Organizations of and for the Blind, Universities and Government Ministries, International Partners, Vendors, and sponsors of assistive technology.

For more information e-mail: africaforum2011@gmail.com

Coming in May 2010: A call for papers and details of registration, including the ability to register online.

Perkins International - Sight Savers International - The World Blind Union - Norwegian Association of the Blind and Partially Sighted