ADD's history
ADD was set up in 1985 by Chris Underhill, who had been inspired by the work of the disability movement in Zimbabwe, where organised self advocacy by disabled people’s organisations was having an impact on attitudes and policy.
In the mid 1980’s other international organisations had identified disabled people among the poorest. However disabled people’s needs were all too often viewed from a medical perspective, related only to their impairment. Consequently interventions were usually limited to specialist services, often provided by medical professionals with little involvement by disabled people themselves.
In fact the priorities for most poor disabled people were no different from their non disabled neighbours e.g. food and clean water, shelter, health care, schooling for their children and the means to make a livelihood. Non government organisations, were supporting “integrated” development work which focused on the holistic needs of poor people, and gender issues were beginning to be raised, but disabled people were generally excluded from their grass roots development work.
Clearly there was a need for an organisation which would target disabled people in poverty and help build the capacity of disabled people’s organisations to demand equal opportunities. Consequently ADD was established as a development agency working with disabled people’s organisations in developing countries, and positioned itself alongside other international agencies working towards the reduction of poverty through self-help initiatives.
Although ADD was not established as an organisation of disabled people itself, it recognised that the understanding of negative attitudes, oppression and discrimination experienced by disabled people themselves was vital to the organisation if it was to work effectively. In choosing staff and trustees an affirmative action policy was promoted and a target set that at least 50% of staff and trustees should be disabled people.
Since 1985 ADD has gone from strength to strength. Following on from Chris Underhill, Barbara Frost (Chief Executive 1996 - 2005) played a significant role in ADD's achievements. During this period ADD supported disabled people to lobby and campaign for inclusion in all areas of life (education, work, health services, voting and transport etc). For example, ADD supported disabled people to access the vote, perhaps for the first time, and to take part in election monitoring in Ghana, Bangladesh, Zambia and Cambodia..... and ensured visually impaired people could vote independently in the national elections in Ghana (2004).
Isaac Kute took over the role of Chief Executive in January 2006 and stepped down in December 2007.
Jabulani Ncube is currently Acting Chief Executive.