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2. Programming: How to include a disability perspective

The Programming phase of the PCM answers the question: « What are the development priorities and what is the EC's strategy for assistance? »

This section briefly presents:

1. What the programming phase is about
2. The purpose of including a disability perspective at this phase
3. The expected results of including a disability perspective
4. The difficulties often encountered and the keys to success
5. The possible cost implications of including a disability perspective
   • Case studies
   • Practical tools

• What is the programming phase about?

This section refers to the EC's PCM Guidelines for Aid Delivery Methods (2004), available at http://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/reports/pcm_guidelines_2004_en.pdf.

"During the Programming phase, the situation at national and sector level is analysed to identify problems, constraints and opportunities which development cooperation could address. This involves a review of socio-economic indicators, and of national and donor priorities. The purpose of the programming phase is to identify the main objectives and sector priorities for development co-operation, and thus to provide a relevant and feasible programming framework within which programmes and projects can be identified and prepared. For each of these priorities, strategies that take account of the lessons of past experience are formulated". (EC: PCM guidelines, p. 26)

What is the programming phase about?

Expected output	PCM guidelines ref. (2004)	EC supporting documents	Information requirements
Country Strategy Paper	Part 1 - Chapter 4.2. Programming - page 25 to 27 Part 2 - Chapter 5. The logical framework approach	For guidance 10th EDF - Programming orientations National and Regional Programming Programming guides for strategy papers (per sector) For elaboration Annex 1A - Country Strategy paper - Part 1, CSP Annex 1A - Country Strategy paper - Part 2, NIP	Identification of key stakeholders Identification of priority problems and opportunities Identification of global and specific objectives and results Identification of EC Strategy

National Indicative Programme Regional Strategy Paper Not related to PCM
• What is the purpose of including a disability perspective at this phase?

Including a disability perspective is relevant for all projects related to improvement of living conditions and poverty alleviation (see: 'Is disability inclusion relevant to your field of work?'). Including a disability perspective during the programming phase will ensure that the situation analysis will be more comprehensive, improving the possibilities for creating a programme framework that addresses poverty alleviation in an inclusive manner.

• Expected results of including a disability perspective in the programming phase

There is an increased chance that the programme orientations will address issues of concern to people living in poverty and in particular persons with disabilities.

• Difficulties often encountered and keys to success

Here is a list of the difficulties you may face in including a disability perspective at this stage, and suggestions on how to overcome these difficulties

1. Identification and consultation with stakeholders in the disability sector

This action requires that you:

• Have an overview of the stakeholders in the disability sector
• Have an understanding of what the role is of the various stakeholders
• Include stakeholders from the disability sector in civil society dialogue on an equal basis with other actors
2. Use the tool 'who are the stakeholders for disability inclusion' to get an overview of the main stakeholders.
3. Use the tool 'how to find a DPO on the web' to actually locate representative organisations of persons with disabilities (DPOs)
4. Set out a clear framework for involving persons with disabilities. For example, persons with disabilities from the target group should be included in local planning and review processes, whereas a disability activist might attend an annual program review, but may not be involved in day-to-day decision-making (source: VSO 2006)
5. Rather than creating separate 'add-on' events for persons with disabilities, ensure their participation in the regular management and consultation processes like other stakeholders (source: VSO 2006). Use the tool 'Accessible meetings or events' for planning a meeting in a way that will allow full participation of persons with disabilities.

Disability is often considered as "invisible" due to the frequent absence of disability disaggregated data. It is crucial that you do not interpret absence of data with absence of persons with disabilities.

• Find available data: Liaise with national disability stakeholders: DPOs, disability service providers, ministries for health, social welfare and education, the statistics division. Liaise with the UN and International organisations. (see: 'Where to find data on disability')
• If data are absent, consult with the key disability stakeholders to initiate research and data collection.
• If the CSP and the NIP contain a plan to support of the National Statistics department, include a disability dimension. This will ensure that the National Statistics system integrates disability data that will be available in the future. Consult beforehand with the stakeholders for disability inclusion on the best approach in terms of including the disability dimension in National Statistics.

Many actors in the development process are unaware of the need to include a disability perspective in poverty alleviation strategies.

• Explore whether the country has signed the UNCRPD. This will reinforce its responsibility to include a disability perspective, for an up to date list of signatories see http://www.un.org/disabilities/countries.asp?navid=12&pid=166
• Share the information contained in part one of this manual. The information is simple and explains the importance of including a disability perspective.
• Promote the participation of persons with disabilities in meetings. This can easily be organised whenever civil society consultation takes place (see 'Accessible meetings or events').

The possible cost implications of including a disability perspective in the programming phase

• To call stakeholders from the disability sector for a meeting and ensure their participation in an accessible manner (see 'Accessible meetings or events'):
  • Participation costs of participants- the same as for other actors
  • Organisation of the meeting in a physically accessible environment; this only impacts on the choice of the venue and should not involve extra cost. You can consult with invitees with disabilities to ask for advice on accessible venues for meetings if you are unaware of any. (see: 'accessibility guidelines and checklists on-line')
  • Consult with invitees with disabilities about which support services may be required or other provisions that should be made.
• To conduct a disability analysis, if necessary.
• If it has been decided to provide support for including a disability dimension in National statistics, some costs need to be included in the budget such as training of the relevant staff (from decision makers to interviewers) on disability; consultations with stakeholder for disability inclusion, etc.
  • Case studies
  • Practical tools

This manual is part of the project "Disability mainstreaming in Development Cooperation", supported by DG Employment and Social Affairs of the European Commission. The contents of this manual are the sole responsibility of CBM.

Leaflet two : A practical guide

1. Introduction
2. Programming: How to include a disability perspective
3. Programming Practical Tools for including a disability perspective
4. Case studies for the programming phase
5. Identification and Formulation How to include a disability perspective
6. Identification and Formulation Practical tools for including a disability perspective
7. Case Studies for the Identification and Formulation Phase
8. Implementation and Monitoring How to include a disability perspective
9. Implementation and Monitoring Practical Tools for including a disability perspective
10. Case studies for the Implemenentation and Monitoring phases
11. Evaluation How to include a disability perspective
12. Evaluation Practical Tools for including a disability perspective
13. Case studies for the evaluation phase