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The African Disability Protocol

The African Disability Protocol (ADP) is a human rights treaty that addresses discrimination affecting people with disabilities living in African countries.

Watch the campaign video (1 minute)

The African Disability Protocol (ADP) is a legal framework that protects the rights of 80 million people with disabilities living in African nations.

The ADP is the first African human rights treaty that addresses specific forms of discrimination affecting people with disabilities on the continent, such as harmful practices, beliefs and superstitions.

In 2022, Sightsavers launched the #RatifyTheADP campaign and worked with partners including the African Union, Africa Disability Alliance and African Disability Forum, as well as campaigners across 13 countries, to call on African governments to pass the legislation.

The treaty has now been ratified across the African Union, which is a huge step for disability rights across the continent. Our campaign is now calling on countries that have ratified it to update their national disability laws in line with the treaty, and calling on other countries that have not yet ratified to take the step.

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Read the treaty

We’ve created shorter, accessible versions of the African Disability Protocol for supporters and campaigners to use in their advocacy work.

Read the ADP

How we’re taking action to ratify the ADP

Regional campaigning

We work with regional partners, organisations of people with disabilities and governments to ratify the treaty and implement inclusive legislation.

Country campaigns

The Ratify ADP Tanzania campaign is working with partners in the country to enshrine disability rights in local law.
About our campaign in Tanzania

Information and resources

Read expert blogs from campaigners and keep up to date with event news, analysis and commentary.
Explore the ADP in depth

Many people with disabilities are not aware of the rights the ADP protects and what they mean in their everyday life.
Leonard, Equal Zimbabwe chair
A photo of Leonard, a member of the Equal Zimbabwe steering committee at the launch event.

Support this campaign

With your help, we can make history in Africa.
To learn how you can get behind our campaign to ratify the ADP, email us:

text hereEdwinah Orowe

Sightsavers ADP Lead
[email protected]

Be part of the Equal World global community

Join our campaign Facebook group