Inclusion Advisory Group:
Partnering to put inclusion into practice
We partner with the disability movement to influence organisations, institutions and systems to realise the rights of persons with disabilities. We believe that tailored input, communicated effectively, with the right people at the table can help make inclusion a reality.
Why?
People with disabilities routinely face barriers to their full inclusion and participation in their communities.
Rights are enshrined in the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and the 2030 Agenda commits to ‘leaving no one behind’.
There are commitments to inclusion in many laws, policies and strategies, however these rights are often not enjoyed in reality.
how we work
“Prior to CBM’s engagement, our role was more seen by donors as that of an implementing organisation only, now we are also being seen as playing a consulting role.”
– Indonesian DPO representative
- The Inclusion Advisory Group is a global network of advisors, representatives and associates, working together in decentralised, local teams.
- We bring development and humanitarian policy and programming expertise provided in collaboration with the Disability Movement, who bring representation of their members, expertise and lived experience.
- We offer localised advice and relationships backed by global evidence and learning, networks, and sector understanding.
- We offer a tried and tested approach, with quality assurance mechanisms, bringing credibility, experience and track record to clients.
- Through one contract and partnership manager, clients can access multi-skilled teams of CBM advisors, the Disability Movement, associate advisors, and research partners.
- We work with a diverse range of clients enabling us to bring insights and evidence from global to community level work.
- Our advice draws on and complements CBM Global’s advocacy and programmatic work, giving us a well rounded perspective.
- This enables us to provide advice at scale, including across multiple countries.
Our advice to others is informed and amplified through CBM’s global program presence and advocacy.
CBM Global's vehicles
for change
See our three program levers in action during COVID-19
our approach
- We harness humanitarian and development programming to progress the agendas of the Disability Movement.
- We provide rights based advice aligned with the CRPD.
- We work in multi-perspective teams, made up of Disability Movement partners, CBM advisors, associate advisors/organisations.
- We seek to strengthen the capacity of others.
- We seek a broader, intersectional approach to inclusion.
- We tailor our advice to a range of audiences for maximum effect.
See our statement of approach for working with the Disability Movement
“[Inclusion Advisory Group] Balances being responsive to capacity building requests without developing dependence.”
– Inclusion Advisory Group Client
our services
“DFAT’s partnership with CBM Australia is an essential enabler for accessing quality disability inclusive technical assistance and capacity building support.”
– excerpt from evaluation of implementation of DFAT’s Development for All strategy
See a snapshot of our impact
We provide the following services
Capacity development
For example: In the Rohingya camps in Bangladesh, together with our local partner CDD, we have been providing technical support to humanitarian organizations, including IOM. In 2019 we developed a five day on site capacity building module which gave IOM staff practical experience in conducting inclusive focus group discussions and accessibility assessments. We provided on the job technical support followed later in the year by a training of trainers module on inclusive humanitarian action. At the end of each training participants developed action plans on how to make their interventions more inclusive.
Technical support
For example: We’ve had ongoing technical engagement with DFAT since 2008. This includes managing and implementing a helpdesk function for the department which allows any of its staff to log requests for support, enabling technical assistance and links to Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) to be built in early and at all stages of programming. Between 2008-2020 we have delivered over 500 technical tasks, including advising on policies, strategies, designs, ME&L frameworks and other documents, including identifying opportunities and strategies for Disability Movement engagement within this. The helpdesk complements our broader capacity development with DFAT co-delivered by OPDs. Pacific Disability Forum provides advisory oversight to the DFAT-CBM partnership.
Joint programming
For example: We work within INGO consortia and the disability movement in the Pacific to implement a regional project under the Australian Humanitarian Partnership Disaster READY program. Through this, we have supported the Pacific Disability Forum (PDF) and its member OPDs to determine what their own vision of disability inclusive preparedness for disaster response should look like, which resulted in the development of the Disability Inclusive Preparedness for Response Strategy for the Pacific which guides the engagement of PDF and its members in all DRR programming. To help achieve this vision, we have formed what we call our “Triangle Team” (Inclusion Advisory Group, PDF and national OPDs) through which we complement each other and strengthen one another’s capacity. Together we influence the activities of the consortia members led by Plan, World Vision and Oxfam.
Supporting the Disability Movement
For example: We have partnered with the Pacific Disability Forum (PDF) since 2009, guided by a MOU which sets out a shared vision and 5 joint objectives, including for example a focus to grow skills and influence in the DRR and Humanitarian sectors. One element involves us using our staff and technical resources upon request to support PDF as they implement their strategy through joint strategic thinking, harnessing our networks to support PDF’s agenda, supporting capacity development of PDF members, and supporting the development and finalisation of resources, like PDF’s regional SDG report. Our motto for the work to provide support that is ‘on tap, not on top’. We collaborate closely with our partner Centre for Inclusive Policy in our work with PDF (and other initiatives).
Research and evidence
For example: In 2015, we partnered with the OPD Ra’es Hadomi Oan (RHTO) to provide disability advisory services to the Australian Aid Health Program. With support from our partner the Nossal Institute for Global Health, we conducted research into access to maternal and newborn health services for women with disabilities in Timor-Leste (2015). The findings provided a compelling case for stronger investment into inclusive health in Timor and shaped future health system strengthening programming. RHTO told us the process strengthened: their research skills and networks within the health system and provided them an effective advocacy tool.
Supporting inclusion strategy development
For example: In 2019, Inclusion Advisory Group advisors from CBM UK and CBM Australia worked together to undertake a review of disability inclusion in Tearfund UK’s and Tear Netherlands’ programming and advocacy, with a focus on highlighting best practice as well as opportunities, including strengthening engagement with OPDs. This work was commissioned to inform the development of an organisational action plan on Diversity and Inclusion and to provide practical adaptations to organisational systems and processes.
