Empowering OPD Leaders: Building Sustainable Impact Through Digital Skills & Advocacy
- zeina958
- Mar 20
- 3 min read
At Kilimanjaro Blind Trust Africa (KBTA), we are commited to foster inclusion, accessibility, and sustainable impact for Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) to drive lasting change. We believe that providing access to digital tools, strategic advocacy, and inclusive technology can break down barriers, amplify voices, and open doors to new opportunities.
Following a comprehensive needs assessment with OPD leaders, we identified critical recurring challenges; resource mobilization struggles, limited digital accessibility, and a need for stronger advocacy strategies.
In partnership with the Global Disability Innovation Hub (GDI Hub), we responded with intensive two-day training sessions in Kisumu, Nairobi, and Mombasa, bringing together 20 OPD representatives per region to co-create solutions and build sustainable impact.
From Challenges to Solutions: A Transformative Learning Journey
These sessions were more than just training; they were a collaborative effort to address the challenges and design practical, action-driven solutions. During our December 2024 needs assessment, OPD leaders highlighted gaps in funding, digital literacy, and accessibility.We listened, we understood, and we took action.
In response, we curated hands-on, high-impact sessions designed to equip OPD leaders with the tools, skills, and strategies needed to drive sustainable change.
What We Covered: Skills to Drive Inclusion & Impact
✅ Digital Skills – Unlocking Accessibility & Efficiency
Participants explored how smartphone accessibility tools including screen readers, Live transcribe, magnifiers, and talkback functions can enhance efficiency, improve communication, and promote inclusivity for persons with disabilities.
Through hands-on demonstrations, they discovered how these built-in features can help them navigate digital platforms, advocate more effectively, and foster independence. The realization that accessibility tools were already at their fingertips was a transformative moment, sparking excitement and confidence in integrating technology into daily advocacy efforts.
✅ Proposal Writing
Securing funding and strategic support access to funding remains a critical challenge for OPDs. To address this, we engaged seasoned experts to guide participants through crafting compelling proposals that attract funding and strategic partnerships.
Through interactive exercises, OPD leaders learned how to structure persuasive proposals, align with donor priorities, and communicate impact-driven narratives. By the end of the sessions, they felt more confident in their ability to secure resources and drive change.
✅ Networking & Storytelling
Through storytelling sessions and networking exercises, OPD leaders discovered how to humanize their advocacy efforts, engage stakeholders, and build meaningful partnerships. Beyond storytelling, the sessions also focused on networking strategies; helping participants understand how to position themselves in key advocacy spaces, strengthen donor relations, and collaborate with like-minded organizations to scale their impact.
✅ Leveraging AI – Harnessing Technology for Inclusive Development
One of the most exciting sessions explored AI-driven innovations that promote inclusive development and accessibility.
A key highlight was ChatGPT, where participants experimented with AI, prompting it in local dialects and witnessing how it can assist in content creation, communication, and advocacy storytelling.
For many, this was their first encounter with AI, and they were amazed at how technology can bridge accessibility gaps, enhance digital literacy, and support advocacy work.
Key Learnings: Unlocking the Power of Digital Accessibility & AI in Advocacy
The sessions highlighted the transformative potential of digital accessibility and AI in advocacy. This exposure not only sparked excitement for the OPD leaders but also reinforced the importance of leveraging technology to drive inclusion, amplify voices, and strengthen advocacy efforts.
The impact of this initiative extends far beyond the training rooms. The knowledge, strategies, and networks built during these sessions will continue to empower OPD leaders to innovate, advocate, and create meaningful change. When OPDs thrive, communities thrive.
A digitally empowered, well-connected, and strategically positioned OPD ecosystem will accelerate disability inclusion across education, employment, and public services.
This initiative is part of the #AT2030programme, funded by #UKAid, through the Global Disability Innovation Hub (GDI Hub). Together, we are scaling sustainable Assistive Technology (AT) ecosystems and ensuring that #NoOneIsLeftBehind in the journey toward equitable access and inclusion
It was a meaningful engagement, though I wasn't invited, but it was a good one