GB-GOV-1-300397 Programme for Evidence to Inform Disability Action

PENDA complements FCDO's inclusion strategy to address fundamental gaps in the inclusion of people with disabilities in mainstream development. PENDA is working with the FCDO funded Disability Inclusive Development programme, led by Sightsavers, to evaluate which of their inclusion interventions have the greatest impact on the lives of people with disabilities. The programme is generating knowledge on what works in Disability Inclusive Development (DID) explicitly in relation to education, health, livelihoods and reduced stigma. This includes conducting Randomised Control Trials (RCTs) or impact evaluations in LMICs. The programme is also focused on engaging new and existing researchers in the field, by commissioning out a further series of impact evaluations on the subject. The programme is working on improved research capacity on DID through 1) Collaboration and support with Southern academic partners, 2) Training Southern Academics through a PhD scheme, in particular researchers with disabilities, 3) Training people with disabilities to be participants in data collection and analysis, 4) Building the reputation of Southern partners in DID research. The programme is developing and validating tools to help assess what does and doesn't work in DID. This includes quantitative indicators and qualitative approaches, which are being included in trials for testing.