USAID Okard Training and Capacity Building Approach

Agency for International Development (USAID) aimed at improving and sustaining the independent living and functional ability of persons with disabilities and their households in the Lao People's Democratic Republic. The Activity partners with the Lao government, civil society organizations, and the private sector to develop and implement national disability-inclusive policies. The project focuses on improving access to health and rehabilitation services, strengthening health systems, and promoting economic empowerment for persons with disabilities and their households. The Activity targets Vientiane Capital and the provinces of Xieng Khouang and Savannakhet, with a focus on creating an environment where persons with disabilities are empowered to actively participate in society. The USAID Okard Activity uses a systems-centered approach, focusing on government ownership of disability-inclusive policies and rehabilitation services, as well as a person-centered approach through case management to address individual needs. The project also applies a participatory, reflective, and skills-based training approach to build capacity among government ministries, departments, and service providers, as well as sub-recipients and community-based inclusive development (CBID) teams. The CBID Demonstration Model is a key feature of the USAID Okard Activity, aiming to build and promote an inclusive society by bringing about changes to the lives of persons with disabilities in local communities. The model includes two key components: case management and community mobilization. The CBID teams will directly support persons with disabilities to identify barriers to their economic self-sufficiency and optimal functioning, and work with families, communities, local authorities, and relevant service providers to remove barriers and meet these needs. To effectively implement the CBID Demonstration Model, CBID team members need to have the appropriate knowledge, attitudes, skills, and behaviors focused on five core competencies: practicing with professionalism, practicing in an ethical manner, using critical thinking and professional judgment, embracing and respecting human diversity, and advancing the rights of persons with disabilities. By acquiring and mastering these competencies, the CBID team will be competent to engage in an ongoing, interactive process with persons with disabilities, their families, the community, local authorities, and organizations on sustainable disability inclusion development. The USAID Okard Activity recognizes the importance of reflection, goal setting, and long-term, regular follow-up needed for effective capacity building, as well as the need for effective measurement of capacity building to demonstrate results. The project will be implemented through sub-recipients from the Government of Lao PDR, international non-governmental organizations, and national partner associations, with World Education providing technical assistance and capacity building support.