Alliance & OPD Strengthening

Building OPD leadership and collective power

IDA is an alliance of global and regional networks of organisations of persons with disabilities. Our strength comes from our members: their leadership, legitimacy, lived experience and connection to movements across the world.

OPDs are the foundation of disability rights change. They help persons with disabilities know and claim their rights, generate practical solutions, influence laws and policies, and hold systems accountable. When OPDs are resourced and trusted to lead, disability inclusion becomes stronger, more legitimate and more lasting.

Group of six diverse adults posing at an event with two men seated, one in wheelchair, holding cups.

IDA supports OPD-led organisational strengthening through peer learning, mentoring and practical partnerships. This includes support for governance, strategy, leadership, safeguarding, resource mobilisation, organisational systems, and the leadership of women, youth and under-represented groups.

Our approach is movement-centred, accessible and built around member priorities. We invest in strong organisations, stronger collaboration and long-term movement power.

Success means OPDs are leading change locally, nationally, regionally and globally - and IDA members are stronger individually and more powerful together.

There are two men speaking. One of them is a wheelchair user; the second one is a person with psychosocial disabilities, and he is pointing to some drawings in a panel.

@ Rosemary Hodkiewicz

Advocacy for us is also about creating solutions for all. OPDs are more than group of advocates. We are building societies for everyone.

Julius Ntobuah

Executive Director, Global Network of Refugees with Disabilities

Now is the time for action, connecting us and learning from each other. We can build long-lasting solutions for all.

Leslie Anguiano

International Movement of Youth with Disabilities (IMYD)