SA-DRDLC: Disability Research, Documentation and Learning
Good advocacy needs good evidence. SA-DRDLC builds the knowledge base that SAFOD and its affiliates need to push for real, lasting change.
Persons with disabilities are poorly counted in most data systems across Southern Africa. 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.
Commission and conduct studies.
Share findings across the network.
Inform advocacy and policy work.
Track programme results.
Countries covered in the regional COVID-19 study on the impact on persons with disabilities.
Participants reached at the COVID-19 research dissemination webinar in May 2022.
- 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, tracking 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.
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.