Voice of Disability Initiative - VDI

Voice of Disability Initiative - VDI VDI- Building a disability inclusive society where no one is left behind.

Still reflecting on a powerful moment for inclusive education in the FCT.On Thursday, March 12, Voice of Disability Init...
22/03/2026

Still reflecting on a powerful moment for inclusive education in the FCT.

On Thursday, March 12, Voice of Disability Initiative (VDI) successfully convened stakeholders at the Project Dissemination and Close-Out Event in Abuja, marking the conclusion of the 18-month project “Inspiring Grassroot Network For Transformative Education" which has Increased Access to Education for Adolescent Girls with Disabilities in Bayelsa State and the FCT.

The event brought together key actors across government, education, and the disability community to review progress, share lessons, and strengthen commitments toward inclusive learning for girls with disabilities.

From supporting school enrolment to mentorship, advocacy, and community engagement, this project has contributed to breaking barriers and creating pathways to opportunity.

As we close this phase, one message remains clear:
Inclusive education is not optional — it is essential.

Funded by Agence Française de Développement (AFD) through IGNITE Consortium / Urgent Action Fund (UAF).

Education is a right - not a privilege.In Bayelsa State, Voice of Disability Initiative (VDI) hosted the Project Dissemi...
11/03/2026

Education is a right - not a privilege.

In Bayelsa State, Voice of Disability Initiative (VDI) hosted the Project Dissemination and Close-Out Event for the project “Increasing Access to Education for Adolescent Girls with Disabilities.”

For the past 18 months, this project has worked to break barriers that prevent girls with disabilities from accessing quality education. From supporting school enrollment, to mentoring adolescent girls, to engaging parents, caregivers, and policymakers, the project has strengthened the movement for inclusive education.

The dissemination event provided an opportunity to share results, celebrate progress, and reinforce collective commitments toward creating inclusive learning environments for every child.

Our message remains clear:
Girls with disabilities deserve equal access to education, dignity, and opportunity.

This project was funded by Agence Française de Développement (AFD) through the IGNITE Consortium / Urgent Action Fund (UAF).

Together, we move closer to a world where every girl can learn without barriers.






Day Two was about moving from conversations to commitments.At the Sang Pour Sang Advocacy and Ecosystem Building Worksho...
26/02/2026

Day Two was about moving from conversations to commitments.

At the Sang Pour Sang Advocacy and Ecosystem Building Workshop, partners aligned on two bold national advocacy priorities for the next six months:
🔹 Institutionalising Menstrual Health and Dignity workplace policies within national labour frameworks—strengthening safe, inclusive, and disability-responsive workplaces.
🔹 Advancing zero tax rating across the menstrual value chain to drive affordability, accessibility, and quality menstrual products for all.

Discussions around strategic litigation stood out, opening new advocacy pathways VDI is keen to explore as we continue pushing for menstrual justice and dignity.



On Feb 22 - 24, 2026, Voice of Disability Initiative represented by our Executive Director and Programs Lead participat...
26/02/2026

On Feb 22 - 24, 2026, Voice of Disability Initiative represented by our Executive Director and Programs Lead participated in the Sang Pour Sang Advocacy and Ecosystem Building Workshop in Nigeria.

The convening brought together CSOs and Social Enterprises from FCT, Adamawa, and Benue States working across the Menstrual Health and Dignity landscape to share project progress, strengthen collaboration, and examine what’s working within the SpS ecosystem.

It was a rich space for learning, relearning, and unlearning, grounded in collective action for sustainable menstrual health outcomes.

In the same light, our team conducted monitoring and supportive supervision of our mentorship clubs in schools across Ba...
24/02/2026

In the same light, our team conducted monitoring and supportive supervision of our mentorship clubs in schools across Bayelsa State.

This activity assessed the progress and impact of mentorship initiatives for adolescent girls with disabilities under the IGNITE project, ensuring sustained peer support, life skills development, and inclusive environments.

On Thursday last week, supported by the IGNITE/UAF project, Voice of Disability Initiative (VDI) conducted a supportive ...
24/02/2026

On Thursday last week, supported by the IGNITE/UAF project, Voice of Disability Initiative (VDI) conducted a supportive home visit to a 13-year-old adolescent girl with hearing impairment in Bayelsa State.

Following family assessment, VDI pledged assistance for her re-enrollment at Bayelsa State School for Children with Special Needs, Opolo, pending the school's interview process to determine appropriate class placement.

Bridging gaps to inclusive education.

On Wednesday last week, with support fron the IGNITE/UAF project, Voice of Disability Initiative (VDI) conducted a suppo...
24/02/2026

On Wednesday last week, with support fron the IGNITE/UAF project, Voice of Disability Initiative (VDI) conducted a supportive home visit to an adolescent girl with physical disability (limb loss), enrolled at a community school in Obele, Bayelsa State.

VDI provided counseling to her caregiver addressing stigma; pledged payment of school fees for two academic sessions; and secured assurances from the School Proprietor for comprehensive support including protection from bullying, stigma, and discrimination.

This intervention advances educational inclusion for girls with disabilities.

In the same light, our team visited the Permanent Secretary, Bayelsa State Ministry of Women Affairs, with support from ...
24/02/2026

In the same light, our team visited the Permanent Secretary, Bayelsa State Ministry of Women Affairs, with support from the IGNITE/UAF project, to share IGNITE successes, and assessments of 160 adolescent girls with disabilities, life skills training, parent sensitization, and town hall backing.

VDI's ED, Barr. Catherine Edeh, shared her inspiring story of overcoming deafness through resilience, stressing that one special needs school isn't enough for rural girls.

Grateful for the warm reception and state leadership's ongoing support for persons with disabilities!

On Tuesday last week, with support from the Urgent Action Fund, Voice of Disability Initiative met the Permanent Secreta...
24/02/2026

On Tuesday last week, with support from the Urgent Action Fund, Voice of Disability Initiative met the Permanent Secretary, Bayelsa State Ministry of Education, to review the IGNITE progress in Bayelsa which has assessed 160 adolescent girls with disabilities, life skills training, parent sensitization, and town hall support.

The Perm Sec, Mr. Peter Simon expressed joy at the visit, calling it a learning moment with new insights on challenges like limited special needs schools in rural areas. He urged VDI to submit a formal proposal to the Commissioner for policy on more schools and pledged to follow up!

We remain grateful to our stakeholders for their continued support in Bayelsa State.

Last week, VDI team paid an advocacy visit to the Education Secretariat – Department of Special Needs in Abuja, where we...
12/02/2026

Last week, VDI team paid an advocacy visit to the Education Secretariat – Department of Special Needs in Abuja, where we met with the Director and key officials of the department.

The Department of Special Needs remains one of our critical stakeholders in the implementation of the IGNITE Project, and we appreciate their continued support and collaboration so far. The meeting provided an opportunity to strengthen partnerships, review progress, and reaffirm our shared commitment to inclusive education and disability-responsive programming.

We look forward to deepening this collaboration to ensure that women and girls with disabilities are not left behind in education and development initiatives.








On Wednesday, 4th February 2026, our Executive Director and Programs Officer represented VDI at the IGNITE Partner Refle...
06/02/2026

On Wednesday, 4th February 2026, our Executive Director and Programs Officer represented VDI at the IGNITE Partner Reflection Meeting held at Bolton White, Abuja.

The meeting brought together IGNITE partners in Nigeria to reflect on strengthening feminist movements beyond the project cycle. Conversations focused on scaling impact, sustaining feminist movements, responding to crises through rapid-response funding, and fostering peer learning and collaboration across civil society.

VDI remains committed to collective reflection, shared learning, and building strong, sustainable feminist movements.

Today, we welcomed the Marben Foundation Executive Director and another representative from her organization alongside t...
05/02/2026

Today, we welcomed the Marben Foundation Executive Director and another representative from her organization alongside team from Her Voice Foundation to Voice of Disability Initiative office in Abuja for a productive learning visit.

As IGNITE Project grantee partners, the session was highly interactive, with the CSOs engaging with VDI’s project implementation processes and learning how to integrate inclusive and disability-responsive approaches into their programmes.

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