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Disability PreparednessDisability Preparedness Study

Promoting Inclusion and Accessibility in Health and Post‑GBV Clinical Services

This project completed the development of the Disability Awareness Toolkit (DAT) which is a practical, contextually grounded resource that supports identification of opportunities to improve disability inclusion and accessibility within health and post‑GBV clinical services in South Africa. Rooted in a participatory and inclusive co‑design approach, the DAT equips service providers with the tools, knowledge, and processes needed to recognise barriers, strengthen service delivery, and catalyse meaningful change.

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Publications

Hanass-Hancock, Jill, Ndlovu, Thakasile, Willan, Samatha, Zulu, Nolufefe, Mhlongo, Siqiniseko, Mabunda, Annah, Padayachee, Thesandree, Lloyd, Jacques Lloyd†, Manana, Thobeka, Carpenter, Bradley (2025) Co-designing the Disability Awareness Toolkit for Disability-Inclusive and Accessible Health and post-GBV Clinical Services in South Africa. International Journal for Equity in Health 24 (292) p 1-16 https://doi.org/10.1186/s12939-025-02664-3

How the DAT Was Developed

The Toolkit was created following three structured design cycles. Each cycle combined evidence, lived experience, and collaborative design to ensure that the toolkit is relevant, inclusive, and locally grounded.

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Design Cycle 1: Creating the Disability Awareness Checklist (DAC)
  • Development of the DAC, comprising 53 core elements that help identify gaps in disability inclusion and accessibility.
  • Creation of an automated reporting system to support clear, practical feedback and action planning.
Design Cycle 2: Developing Implementation Support Tools
  • Creation of a context-responsive intervention menu to guide feasible improvements.
  • Development of an integrated training component to support effective use of the DAC and intervention tools.
Design Cycle 3: Feasibility Testing of the Full DAT
  • Testing the DAC, its intervention menu, and training in both rural and urban South African settings.
  • Evaluation of service providers’ and service users’ experiences through:
    • Interviews
    • Focus group discussions
    • Follow‑up site visits

Key Components of the DAT

The final Toolkit includes:

  • Disability Awareness Checklist (DAC) – 53 elements covering physical, communication, attitudinal, and systemic accessibility
  • Automated reporting tools – generating clear summaries and action priorities
  • Intervention menu – offering realistic, context‑appropriate solutions
  • Training package – designed to build confidence and support implementation

Through consultation, appreciative inquiry was adopted as a core facilitation method, helping participants identify strengths and uncover actionable, feasible solutions.

Why the DAT Matters

The evolution of the DAT demonstrates the power of co‑design in tackling healthcare inequities. By grounding the process in the lived experiences of healthcare users and providers, the Toolkit:

  • Supports inclusive, power‑sensitive collaboration
  • Provides practical tools for identifying and addressing accessibility gaps
  • Helps service providers initiate meaningful, locally feasible improvements
  • Builds awareness and fosters a culture of change
  • Reflects the diverse realities of people accessing services in unequal contexts

Ultimately, the DAT empowers users to move beyond identifying barriers—they are supported to take concrete steps that improve accessibility and inclusion for persons with disabilities.

Video: The Disability Awareness Checklist