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USDC’s programme targets all disabled children irrespective of type of disability, gender,
religion or cultural background. In doing this we work in partnership with government
and other service providers, within the existing structures for sustainability purposes.
We are also involved in lobbying & advocating for for inclusive policies to ensure
that the needs of children with disabilities are mainstreamed in development plans and
budgets. We recognize the role of Parents and families of Children with disabilities and so
work to empower parents of disabled children so that they are able to participate actively
in the process of fulfilling rights for their children.
 Disability awareness
.Although a lot of work has been done by disability
organizations, including USDC, in sensitizing and
educating the public about disability, it disability in
Uganda reminds a big challenge as a result of
preventable causes, negative attitudes which
are in turn shaped by ignorance poverty, cultural
beliefs and customs. USDC therefore continually
carries out community education and sensitization
activities in all its districts of operations using both
print and broadcast media to mitigate the impact of
these negative elements.
 Medical rehabilitation
Medical rehabilitation is about the treatment or
management of the impairment. ,USDC has
constructed and equipped physiotherapy units,
orthopedic workshops for production of assistive
devices, children’s convalescence hostels ( medical
wards in hospitals) for post surgical management
purposes, mental health units and audio logy units,
to increase accessibility of professional services
to the children with disabilities.
Support for Special needs Education
 Inaccessibility for the Children with disabilities in
educational facilities varies by disability. For instance,
children with movement disorders require ramps,
widened corridors, and doorways, staircase
alternatives, and clean, adapted toilets facilities.
Children with hearing impairments require aids
and teachers familiar with sign language. Individuals
with visual impairments require instructional materials
like Braille machine (which are available on a limited
basis) and safe, easy to navigate physical structures
and compounds. Children with learning disabilities
require specialized learning aids and resources to assist them in understanding.
Teachers trained in Special Needs Education are needed to educate all CWDs, irrespective
of their disability. Under one project, Combating exclusion of CWDs in schools, u p to 5000
special needs teachers were trained in managing special needs of disabled children in 13
districts. We also distributed Braille equipment to schools with annexes for the blind and
train teachers to repair Braille machines. USDC also manages two vocational training
centers for youths with disabilities in Masaka and Ocoko (Arua) in partnership with the
local governments.
In the area of special education, USDC has supported construction of buildings in
Masindi Centre for the Physically Handicapped, Eruba primary school ( Arua), Ngeta
girls primary school (Lira), Jeeja and Kiryandongo primary schools in Masisndi district,
Waiga and Kisomere primary schools in Buliisa and a number of others.
USDC has equipped a number of resource units for special needs education, both built
by it and those built by others, with tools such as Braille kits, materials and Perkins
Braille equipment, sport balls, game kits, and child focused story books that enhanced
learning of CWDs and where different schools could access the units. Furniture and
other appropriate equipment.
 Policy advocacy and lobbying
We are aware that as USDC we are not able to
provide for all the needs of children with disabilities
in this country. All we aim to do is to fill strategic
gaps and create good practices that we can learn
from with government. An important element of our
work therefore involves constructively engaging
government to ensure appropriate provisions are
made for the fulfillment of rights of all disabled
children in the country.
This we do in partnership with a number of allies, which includes
disabled people, parents of disabled children and other organizations working in the
area of disability.
Capacity Building
Empowerment of Parents of Children with disabilities
Parents and family members are directly affected by the disability in a home. They
understand the way disabled children experience impairment and the negative
attitudes suffered as a result. Often they are the voices for disabled children
and act on their behalf as many children are unable to speak or act for themselves
as a result of impairment and being of a tender age.
Parent Support Groups (PSGs) are groups of
parents of children with disabilities who come together
to share their common experiences and problems.
These groups, which are mutual support or self help
groups, help us to identify CWDs at the grassroots level,
support the rehabilitation processes, mobilize fellow
parents for action,and participate in awareness raising
as well as monitor implementation of all child aid
programmes ot ensure that they mainstream the
concerns of Children with disabilities.
We are continuously building the capacity of these
groups by training parents so that they have the
necessary knowledge and skills about disability to help
their peers and to be able to lobby collectively for improved services for their children.
 ‘Bringing out the voice of the Child with
disabilities’ through Child Rights Clubs
Since 2001, USDC has been supporting the formation
of Child Rights Clubs (CRCs) in schools and communities.
Under the government’s Universal Primary Education (UPE)
policy, all children, including those with disabilities, have
the right to free primary school education.
With more disabled children in mainstream schools, we
have sought to support schools not only in the training of
teachers and the provision of special needs facilities and
equipment but also work to ensure the integration of children with different disabilities into all
aspects of school life.
Through the CRCs children are encouraged to come together whatever their abilities and
learn about disability awareness and their rights as children. They also engage in play and
artistic activities and is an opportunity for team building, fellowship, learning, sharing and
caring. These clubs help to build confidence in children and help them to appreciate one
another regardless of ability or disability.
 
Creating brighter futures for young people with disabilities in Uganda –
Vocational Training & Rehabilitation
The Uganda Society for Disabled Children (USDC) works to ensure that children and
young people living with a disability in Uganda are able to meet their full potential.
In 2000, USDC established two (2) vocational training and rehabilitation centres, the
Masaka Vocational Rehabilitation Centre (MVRC), in Masaka (southern central Uganda)
and Ocoko vocational rehabilitation center (OVRC) in Arua (West Nile region).
Since then, more than 1000 young people with disabilities have received training in
carpentry, tailoring, leather and metal works, screen-printing, metalwork or computer
studies.
Many of the students who come to the centres are orphaned or come from extremely
poor families. Due to the stigma associated with disability, most families in Uganda
are unable or unwilling to spend money on the education or health care of a disabled
child. MVRC and Ocoko therefore does not charge fees in order to ensure that the
most disadvantaged young people with disabilities are all able to access the training
and opportunities they need to lead a fuller more productive life.
MVRC operates under a partnership between Uganda Society for Disabled Children
(USDC) – with support from AbleChildAfrica, and Masaka District Local Government
(MDLG) and Ocoko is a government institution in Arua offering vocational training
for 90 youth with disabilities per year. USDC and Arua district signed a
memorundum of understanding commiting the district to meeting the staff salaries
and running costs.
OVRC and Masaka however, falll under the Ministry of Gender and Social
Development which is among the least resourced ministries in Uganda and this has
affected the performance of the centres over the years.
The centres provide vocational training and dormitory-style housing (on site) for
young people with a disability, from the age of 15yrs. Vocational courses last for
one year and are complemented with life skills, agricultural studies and a full pastoral
programme as well as basic sensitization on human rights, reproductive health
and HIV/Aids.
Local Government and other development Partners
USDC’s programme targets all disabled children irrespective of disability,
gender, religion or cultural background. In doing this we work in partnership with
government and other service providers (working within the existing structures for
sustainability purposes) and lobbying for inclusion of children with disabilities and
empower parents of disabled children so that they are able to participate actively in
the process of fulfilling rights for their children.
Strategic Key Focus Areas
Our Programme focuses on the following areas
The main thrust of USDC’s strategy, implemented with in 15 administrative
districts has therefore been to increase the integration of services to CWDs in
mainstream planning, budgeting and development processes at all levels in Uganda.
In implementing this strategy USDC works with different stakeholders to promote
access of opportunities, resources and services to enable CWDs live fuller lives.
Guiding principles
Mainstreaming disability as a cross cutting issue through lobbying and advocacy
will ensure that disability issues and concerns are integrated into development
processes at all levels. This therefore ensures that disability ceases to be the
domain of civil society organizations. This will go hand in hand with strengthening
partnerships, learning, participation and a professional approach by USDC staff.
What critical gaps does USDC address?
The strategic gaps that USDC is addressing are:
Institutional and Management Framework
USDC’s organizational structure has a Board of Trustees at the top most level, The Board
of Trustees also known as the USDC Council of Management is the body with overall
responsibility for the society. It is the body, which takes all policy decisions and supports
the management in implementation of the country programme.
There is a country programme office in Kampala, which is responsible for the overall
programme development and provision of financial, administrative and technical support
for programme implementation. The Kampala office is headed by an Executive Director
who is the overall Coordinator of the programme in Uganda.
There are 4 departments within the Kampala office, Finance and administration headed
by a senior Accountant, National level Programmes headed by a senior Programme officer
(M&E), Lobbying and Advocacy headed by a Programme officer and Fundraising managed
by a Programme officer but directly under the Executive Director.
The management team is made up of the Executive Director, the senior program officer
and the accountant and it supports the Council of Management to develop strategic plans
and ensure that the country programme develops in line with the strategic plan and that
organisational targets are met.
The implementation of the country strategy is based on a regionalization approach which
does not require USDC to have a direct presence in each and every district Therefore the
district offices are manned by the district Parent Support groups who are USDC’ main
implementation partners at that level. They are the pillars of the programme and oversee
all programme activities in the individual district and liaise with relevant government
departments, local authorities, referral institutions, organizations and representatives of
PWDs and other NGOs facilitated by the National level USDC Staff.
The parent support groups are supported by technical personnel in each district, known
as the Focal person. On quaterly basis, they are joined by representatives from the
technical arm of government i.e sector heads (Health dept, education dept, & community
dept) to review implementation and plans.
The Regional offices are manned by USDC Staff that support the district PSG’s to
coordinate the CBR programme at that level.
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