The Amhara Development Association (ADA) and the Ethiopian Center for Disability and Development (ECDD) have signed a partnership agreement to advance disability-inclusive development and expand opportunities for young persons with disabilities through the Biqu Wetat (ብቁ ወጣት) Program.
The agreement was signed by Mr. Maru Wondifraw, Deputy CEO of ADA, and Dr. Getahun Simeon, Executive Director of ECDD. Valued at ETB 141.9 million, the one-year partnership will be implemented across 23 woredas and town administrations in the Amhara Region, targeting 9,000 young persons with disabilities aged 15–29, of whom 80% are women and girls.
Under the partnership, ECDD will provide specialized technical and implementation support in disability inclusion, rehabilitation, accessibility, assistive technology, and inclusive education. Key interventions will include the identification and assessment of youth with disabilities, medical rehabilitation, provision of assistive devices, support for youth returning to education, and capacity building for education personnel and other stakeholders.
The initiative will also improve accessibility in 43 secondary schools and strengthen 23 Inclusive Education Resource Centers (IERCs) through accessibility improvements, teaching and learning materials, and technical support. In addition, 4,500 youth will receive assistive devices, 1,350 will benefit from medical rehabilitation services, and 2,000 youth returning to secondary education will receive scholastic materials.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Mr. Maru Wondifraw noted that ADA selected ECDD following an assessment of its organizational capacity and technical expertise. He recognized ECDD as a capable organization with extensive experience in disability-inclusive development and expressed confidence that the partnership will contribute to the effective and successful implementation of the Biqu Wetat Program.
Dr. Getahun Simeon emphasized that young persons with disabilities often face multiple and overlapping barriers, including stigma, inaccessible environments, conflict, displacement, climate change, and poverty. He highlighted the principle of “Nothing About Us Without Us,” stressing the importance of meaningful participation of persons with disabilities in decisions that affect their lives. He also reaffirmed ECDD’s commitment to delivering the assignment with quality, drawing on its longstanding experience and expertise in disability-inclusive development.
The partnership will strengthen collaboration among government institutions, schools, health and rehabilitation service providers, organizations of persons with disabilities, communities, and development partners, while promoting accountability, learning, and sustainable results.
The implementation period runs from September 4, 2026, to September 3, 2027, with the partnership aiming to improve the participation, independence, inclusion, and development opportunities of young persons with disabilities across the Amhara Region.
