List of SAFOD Programmes

SA-DRDLC: Disability Research, Documentation and Learning.

SAFOD programme

Disability research in Southern Africa: the SA-DRDLC programme

Good advocacy needs good evidence. SA-DRDLC builds the knowledge base that SAFOD and its affiliates use to push for real, lasting change.

SAFOD officer interviewing a person for disability research in Botswana during the COVID-19 study.
IN THE PICTURE: A SAFOD officer conducting a one-on-one interview in Botswana. It was part of the disability research in Southern Africa for the Regional COVID-19 Inclusive Response Programme (2020–2022).

Disability research in Southern Africa is thin. Persons with disabilities are poorly counted in most data systems. National surveys often miss them. Policy decisions get made without evidence on their lives, needs or exclusion. SA-DRDLC commissions research, documents what works, and puts findings directly into SAFOD's advocacy.

SA-DRDLC is one of our programmes. It serves our national affiliates across the SADC region.

How our disability research is used

  • Commission and conduct studies.
  • Share findings across the network.
  • Inform advocacy and policy work.
  • Track programme results.

Disability Research in Southern Africa at a Glance

  • 10

    Countries covered in the regional COVID-19 study on the impact on persons with disabilities.

  • 62

    Participants reached at the COVID-19 research dissemination webinar in May 2022.

Notable disability research studies

  • Regional COVID-19 study. Covering ten countries, this study used interviews and focus group discussions to show how the pandemic worsened exclusion and violated the rights of persons with disabilities.
  • Human rights monitoring study. Conducted with the Centre for Human Rights at the University of Pretoria, it tracked the impact of COVID-19 emergency measures on persons with disabilities in seven countries.
  • Disability and disaster risk reduction. Baseline studies and mapping exercises in Zambia, Zimbabwe and Malawi, carried out under the CBM DiDRR project.
  • Regional meta-analysis. An analysis of inclusive social protection mechanisms for persons with disabilities in Southern Africa, drawing on national studies from Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
  • SAFOD Regional Guidelines (2025). Guidelines on inclusive social protection mechanisms for persons with disabilities in Southern Africa, developed with CBM and German Cooperation.
  • SAFOD M&E Framework (2021–2025). A monitoring and evaluation framework to track programme results across the organisation.

Research that gets used

Findings from SA-DRDLC feed directly into SAFOD's campaign for the SADC Disability Protocol, its work on inclusive social protection, and the evidence OPDs bring when they engage governments and donors. It does not sit on a shelf.

Related work to Disability Research in Southern Africa

Download our studies in SAFOD publications. See our projects and campaigns, explore a partnership, or contact SAFOD.

Without data, it is hard to make the case for change. Without documented lessons, the same mistakes get repeated. SA-DRDLC exists so that neither happens.

SA-IPLJ: Inclusive Policies, Legislation and Justice

We advocate for disability rights in national and regional legislative and policy frameworks, including the SADC Disability protocol.

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SA-DEEP: Disability Economic Empowerment and Entrepreneurship.

We promote skills training, entrepreneurship, and market access, with a focus on women and youth.

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