Mapping Disability Service Providers to Strengthen Inclusion in The Gambia

The Gambia Federation of the Disabled (GFD) and its partners are preparing to map disability-inclusive service providers under a European Union-funded initiative aimed at identifying available services, exposing potential gaps in access and strengthening support for persons with disabilities across targeted areas of The Gambia. The exercise is expected to generate evidence to guide service coordination, policy development and advocacy, with the ultimate goal of ensuring that persons with disabilities can access essential healthcare, rehabilitation, education, assistive technology and other support services.

The Gambia Federation of the Disabled (GFD), in partnership with Catholic Relief Services (CRS), the National Organisation for the Disabled and Orphans (NODO), and Special Olympics The Gambia, is preparing to map disability-inclusive service providers to improve access to essential services and strengthen disability rights advocacy. The exercise forms part of the European Union-funded Disability Inclusive Pathways Project (DIPP). According to an invitation issued by Sainey Camara, Acting Executive Director of GFD and DIPP Project Manager, a planning meeting is scheduled for 26 October 2026 at the Kanifing Municipal Library on Jimpex Road, with data collection planned for 28 October to 2 November 2026. The mapping aims to identify available services, assess their geographical coverage and accessibility, and establish where gaps may exist. It will cover areas such as healthcare, rehabilitation, assistive devices, inclusive education, vocational training, employment, social protection and disability advocacy. Information will be gathered through document reviews, questionnaires, field surveys and interviews with service providers. Geographic Information System (GIS) technology will also be used to map service locations and identify potentially underserved communities. The findings are expected to inform a database of providers, geographical maps, a comprehensive report and a policy brief for government and other stakeholders. The broader Disability Inclusive Pathways Project, launched in January 2026, is a 30-month initiative focused on empowering children with disabilities through education, technology and play. Its activities target selected schools in Kanifing Municipality, the West Coast Region and the North Bank Region, with emphasis on inclusive learning environments, assistive technology and stronger institutional and community capacity. GFD’s participation is particularly important because organisations of persons with disabilities (OPDs) can bring lived experience and practical knowledge of barriers affecting their communities. NODO and Special Olympics The Gambia also contribute perspectives on disability inclusion and participation. Advancing Disability Rights The mapping has important implications for implementing The Gambia’s Persons with Disabilities Act 2021. Relevant provisions address data collection, healthcare and rehabilitation, vocational rehabilitation, employment, education, accessibility and access to public services and information. It also aligns with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), particularly Article 9 on accessibility, Article 24 on inclusive education, Article 26 on habilitation and rehabilitation, and Article 31 on statistics and data collection. Reliable information about services can help persons with disabilities and their families identify appropriate support while enabling institutions to improve planning, coordination and resource allocation. However, the mapping alone cannot guarantee that services will become more accessible or that identified gaps will be addressed. Participation and Accountability Are Essential

For meaningful results, persons with disabilities and their representative organisations must participate throughout the process, including designing data-collection tools, identifying barriers, validating findings and recommending solutions. The exercise should also consider the experiences of women and girls with disabilities, children, persons with intellectual and psychosocial disabilities, people with sensory disabilities and those living in rural communities. Information must be accessible, reliable and regularly updated, with appropriate safeguards for personal data. The findings should lead to practical recommendations, clear institutional responsibilities and follow-up actions by government, service providers and development partners. From Mapping to Meaningful Inclusion The planned initiative offers an opportunity to strengthen disability-inclusive service delivery across The Gambia. Its success should not be measured solely by the number of providers documented or maps produced, but by whether the information helps people find services, improves coordination, informs public policy and reduces barriers. Ultimately, the Persons with Disabilities Act 2021 and the UNCRPD provide a strong foundation for advancing equality, dignity and participation. The challenge is to translate these commitments into practical improvements so that persons with disabilities can access essential services and participate fully in society. Nothing About Us Without Us.