Our new Strategy for Disability Justice.
We are excited to launch our new strategy! This is an overview of our approach for the next 10 years.
We’ve named our strategy Mtiririko, which is a Swahili word meaning ‘flow’, because at the centre of it is the desire to see resources flow directly to disability justice activists and movements.
Mtiririko: Flow.
ADD is on a journey away from the traditional model of international development and towards an inclusive solidarity that heals injustice.
We have named our strategy mtiririko which means ‘flow’ in Swahili because we want to see resources flow to disability justice movements as result of the work that we all do.
By focusing our strategic framework on the concept of flow we remind ourselves that this work is not about ADD itself. Instead, it is about using our position and networks to increase the flow of resources and opportunities to those who have the vision, agency and right to lead change – disability justice activists and organisations.
People need to trust persons with disability. We are working in a coherent way to change the attitude of government and society. We just need continued support to strengthen our movement. That is how change will happen. People make a lot of assumptions about me, but to them I say, try me, listen to what I have to say.
Elkhansa, Disability Justice Activist, Sudan.
Our Vision is for a world in which ableism no longer exists, and in which disabled people can access their full rights and experience justice.
Our Mission is to resource disability justice activists and organisations, nurture lived-experience leadership, and influence fairness in funding so that disability justice movements thrive.
Launching our strategy.
On 19 March 2024 we held a webinar to launch Mtiririko. At the event, hosted by our ambassador Anne Wafula Strike, our co-CEOs Fredrick Ouko and Mary Ann Clements shared an overview of the key points in our new approach, and we had a panel discussion with disability justice activists Zenny from Tanzania, and Vireak from Cambodia, as well as Callum, a representative from one of our funders, People’s Postcode Lottery.
If you missed the webinar, you can view a recording here:
Our Strategic Priorities.
At the heart of our strategy are five strategic priorities:
1. Resource Activism.
We will resource disability justice activism through participatory grant-making
2. Nourish Movements.
We will encourage collective solidarity and strength within and between disability justice movements.
3. Nurture Leaders.
We will invest in Disability Justice Leadership through our Global Disability Leadership Academy.
4. Influence Change.
We will partner and collaborate to increase the flow of resources to disability justice activists.
5. Transform ADD.
We will model the change we want to see in the world within our own organisation.
How we think change happens.
We believe that when we invest in movements, activists can strengthen their agency, power, and collaborative action to drive change and create a more inclusive world for all.
Our Philosophy
Our approach is defined according to these values:
Lived-experience Leadership
Intersectionality
Justice
Learning, Trust and Care
Back to our Roots.
ADD was originally created in 1985 as a supporter and funder to disabled people and their organisations. ADD’s approach disrupted traditional ways of working and focused on the social model of disability.
In this strategy, we are getting back to our roots as a disrupter in the sector, supporting the movement for disability justice.
We want to see resources flow directly to disability justice activists, so that movements can thrive.
Through this change we hope to inspire and influence others away from current failing models of international development and towards a solidarity that aims to heal injustice through the reparative flow of resources, opportunities and support.
This means not just working for justice but also ensuring we do our best to not perpetuate existing injustice in everything we do.
find out more
participatory grant-making
Learn about how we have piloted participatory grant-making in Sudan and Tanzania.
disability leadership academy
Find out more about our work to support lived-experience leadership.
shifting power
Find out how we are transforming to being led by disability justice activists.