ZAPD

Ipalo Foundation has successfully concluded a two-week Basic Sign Language Training Program in Kalulushi, held as part of the Sign Language Awareness Month celebrations observed in September. Made possible through the 2023 CDF Empowerment Program, the training brought together 35 participants, including teachers, nurses, physiotherapists, counselors, and community members, all eager to build stronger connections with the deaf community. “We commend Ipalo Foundation for organizing this important training,” said Anthony Mwansa, ZAPD Copperbelt Provincial Coordinator. “Promoting inclusion and accessibility for persons with disabilities remains central to Government’s inclusive development agenda.” Participants also formed a WhatsApp group, “Friends of Ipalo,” to keep sharing sign language materials and continue championing inclusion. ZAPD celebrates this milestone toward a more inclusive Kalulushi, where everyone’s voice is seen and heard!

The National Disability Council of Namibia (NDCN) is currently in Zambia on a collaborative learning visit hosted by the Zambia Agency for Persons with Disabilities (ZAPD). This engagement marks a key step toward strengthening regional partnerships aimed at improving the welfare of Persons with Disabilities across the African continent. The NDCN team is on the ground learning from Zambia’s experience in developing and implementing the Disability Information Management System (DIMS) — a digital platform that centralizes data to improve service delivery and coordination in the disability sector. As part of this mission, NDCN is also engaging with the University of Zambia’s Centre for ICT (UNZA–CICT) to discuss the technical processes behind the successful rollout of DIMS.  Through this collaboration, NDCN wishes to learn how to:  Establish a centralized and secure database for Persons with Disabilities in Namibia.  Streamline the registration process and the issuance of disability cards.  Design a user-friendly platform for accessing essential services and benefits.  Foster stronger coordination among stakeholders in the disability sector. This partnership is a shining example of how African nations can share knowledge, technology, and best practices to ensure no one is left behind. #AfricaDisabilityInclusion #RegionalPartnership

In Solwezi, women with disabilities are showing remarkable resilience and innovation as they form cooperatives to improve their livelihoods and uplift their communities. For the past 20 years, the Holland Disabled Association has been a beacon of hope. With financial support from partners such as the Catholic Church, Government, and others, the Association took a bold step, building a lodge and rental shops. Today, the Association not only provides accommodation for travelers passing through the new Copperbelt but also generates income through shop rentals. What’s unique is their inclusive policy: every tenant renting a shop is required to employ at least one person with a disability in line with their skills. Through this initiative, 21 people, the majority being women and single mothers with disabilities, have found employment. This has reduced vulnerability, empowered families, and strengthened the community’s social fabric. On the outskirts of Solwezi, another inspiring story unfolds. The Kamatete Bethesda Club, with a membership of 20, was born from a ZAPD “Pass-on Project” where members received chickens. Building on that idea, the group later formed a cooperative, secured CDF funding, and ventured into piggery. Proceeds from the project go towards repaying the loan, while members occasionally receive a pig to own and raise themselves. This model is not only improving livelihoods but also promoting sustainability and reducing poverty. In another part of the mining town, the Nketekelani (Trust Me) Cooperative is filled with women with diverse disabilities who are eager to use their skills. While they currently rely on Social Cash Transfer support, they remain hopeful that with access to more funding and market linkages, they too will establish thriving enterprises. What these cooperatives now require is technical assistance and stronger market connections to grow and sustain their initiatives. These powerful stories came to light when a team from ZAPD and the ILO visited the clubs in their mission to document and showcase the advocacy work of women-led disability organizations in the province, and witness firsthand the impact being made. Together, these women are proving that disability is not inability. With the right support, they are building livelihoods, creating jobs, and showing us all the true meaning of resilience and empowerment. #WomenEmpowerment #DisabilityInclusion #Livelihoods #LeaveNoOneBehind

Permanent Secretary Col. Grandson Wishikoti Katambi and District Commissioner Mulofwa Tradeson have chosen to operate from ground floor offices, a bold move to break barriers and ensure persons with disabilities can easily access their offices. Their daily interactions and strong pledge show a true passion for inclusivity, proving that no one should be left behind, regardless of ability. This commitment was highlighted when the ILO and ZAPD teams paid a courtesy call during their mission to document and showcase the advocacy work of women-led disability organizations in the province. Kudos to the Northwestern Provincial Administration for showing that true leadership is not about the office you sit in, but about the lives you touch.

For many persons with disabilities, barriers to healthcare remain deeply entrenched, from inaccessible buildings to discriminatory attitudes. A new Disability Inclusive Service Site Assessment Tool, currently being validated in Kabwe, is set to change that. Developed under the leadership of the Ministry of Health, with support from Marie Stopes Zambia and in collaboration with stakeholders such as the ZAPD, the tool is designed to help health facilities identify and address the gaps that hinder equitable service provision. The tool goes beyond basic checklists. It provides a comprehensive framework to assess whether health services are accessible, respectful, and responsive to the diverse needs of persons with disabilities. It covers areas such as infrastructure, client flow, communication, counselling, and health promotion, ensuring that inclusion is built into every stage of service delivery. Speaking during the official opening of the validation workshop, Mr. Frankson Musukwa, Director General of ZAPD, emphasized the urgency and value of the tool. “This tool is not just a checklist,” he said. “It is a mechanism to hold ourselves accountable to the principles of accessibility, dignity, and equity. It reflects a broader vision: a health system where persons with disabilities are not an afterthought, but a priority.” Mr. Musukwa commended the Ministry of Health and Marie Stopes Zambia for their visionary leadership in spearheading the development of the tool. He noted that the initiative is a powerful affirmation of Zambia’s commitment to leaving no one behind in the journey toward universal health coverage. Also speaking at the event, Marie Stopes Zambia Operations Director Inonge Wina reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to ensuring disability inclusion across all its operations. “Disability should not be treated as a standalone project but as an integral part of routine programming,” she said. Ms. Wina added that Marie Stopes has taken steps to ensure disability is embedded in both budgeting and program design and expressed optimism about the tool’s growing attention at government level. Meanwhile, Director of the Nursing Unit Daphen Shamambo called on participants to take the tool beyond the validation meeting and become ambassadors of change in their respective spaces. “Let’s go out there and champion inclusion using this tool,” she said, urging health professionals to take the lead in fostering inclusive environments. Ms. Shamambo also appealed to Marie Stopes Zambia to consider securing funding for training health workers in basic sign language to help bridge communication barriers. In closing, Mr. Musukwa reaffirmed ZAPD’s commitment to supporting implementation, capacity building, and ongoing monitoring of the tool. “Together, we can build a health system, and indeed a country, that is inclusive, just, and responsive to the needs of all its people.”

Mansa, Luapula Province – The Government has reaffirmed its commitment to disability inclusion and economic empowerment following a high-level engagement with the Zambia Agency for Persons with Disabilities (ZAPD). The meeting, held earlier today, saw a ZAPD delegation pay a courtesy call on Luapula Province Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Prudence Chinama Kangwa, as part of the Agency’s ongoing 10-day working visit to the province. The delegation, led by ZAPD Director General Frankson Musukwa, is in Luapula to assess a herd of 112 cattle managed by the Agency at its Chipili District farm. The visit also aims to explore sustainable marketing options for selected livestock as part of a broader strategy to strengthen disability-focused programs through productive asset management. In his remarks, Mr. Musukwa expressed gratitude to President Hakainde Hichilema for championing disability rights through inclusive leadership. “As the first deaf person to serve as Director General, I am a testament to the potential of persons with disabilities to contribute meaningfully to national development,” he said. “It is time we fully actualize our participation in decision-making structures across all provinces and constituencies.” Permanent Secretary Kangwa assured the delegation of Government’s continued support, emphasizing that Luapula Province remains committed to facilitating ZAPD’s operations in line with national policy. “We are guided by the President’s vision of inclusion, equity, and opportunity for all,” she said. “Persons with disabilities are not less capable—they are differently abled. With the right support and environment, they can play a significant role in building a prosperous Zambia.” While acknowledging ZAPD’s intention to sell some of the livestock, Mrs. Kangwa encouraged the Agency to prioritize herd expansion over disposal, noting Luapula’s potential as an emerging agricultural hub. In response, Mr. Musukwa clarified that only surplus bulls are earmarked for sale, in line with expert advice aimed at preventing inbreeding and maintaining herd health. Mr. Lavu Jere, Acting Principal Stock Verifier at the Ministry of Finance and National Planning and a member of the ZAPD Disposal Committee, reaffirmed this approach. He stated that a technical team has been constituted to conduct a thorough assessment and recommend the most appropriate disposal strategy based on sound livestock management practices. The visit underscores the Government’s broader commitment to integrating persons with disabilities into mainstream economic activities and promoting inclusive development across all regions.