DAO Training Workshops for Persons with Disabilities DAO Project Progress Report Management Training Conducted by DAO for Land Mine Survivors and Persons with Other Disabilities in Jalalabad. In 2004, a group of Afghans with disabilities organized the Development and Ability Organization to insure that all persons with disabilities in Afghanistan could fully and actively participate in the social and economic life of the country. An active Board of Directors, composed entirely of persons with disabilities, assisted by an Executive Director, now directs and oversees its programs.

Development and Ability Organization (DAO) is currently carrying out the following activities. Rights and Disability Awareness Training in 15 provinces of Afghanistan. Leadership and Management training for government officials and heads of Disabled Persons Organizations (DPOs). Production and distribution of "Gadoon", a bimonthly magazine which covers activities of the Development and Ability Organization as well as news of interest to all Afghans with disabilities. The print run is 2000 copies in English, Pashto and Dari. Production of Dictionaries on National Disability Terminology in English, Dari and Pashto. Provision of logistical support for DPOs around the country. Production of TV and radio programs for persons with disabilities on Afghan National TV and Radio Salaam Watandar.. National Coordination for the activities of DPOs. With financial support from UNDP, installation of equipment for the Orthopedic Center in Khost. With financial support from UNICEF, DAO conducted a survey to identify barriers to free access for people with disabilities in the city of Kabul. This type of survey is needed throughout Afghanistan by rehabilitation and reconstruction designers, donor agencies and their implementing partners. This will ensure that persons with disabilities will have access to public buildings, recreational parks, schools and other public spaces. The main objective of this research project was to identify the major difficulties of access for persons with disabilities using public services, public spaces like ministries, recreational parks, hospitals, clinics and schools. Questions regarding rights for people with disabilities and their expectations from the government, UN agencies, NGOs, community and family were also included in the survey. It is hoped that by providing this kind of information to government, UN agencies, and NGOs, proper access for persons with disabilites to all buildings under renovation or newly constructed will be barrier free. The information collected through this research will be useful for the Afghan government and assistance organizations, sensitizing them to the needs of persons with disabilities as well as influencing future development and reconstruction plans for Afghanistan.

At the current time, DAO is the leader in providing awareness training for persons with disabilities about their rights and methods of self advocacy. It also provides management training for DPOs and income generating projects for landmine survivors and other persons with disabilities. It works in the major regions of Afghanistan which include Kabul, Logar, Ghazni, Wardak, Kandahar, Herat, Samangan,Kapisa, Perwan,Gardez, Takhar,Badakhshan,Kunduz Mazar-e-Sharif and the eastern provinces of Ningarhar, Kunar and Laghman.

DAO also has employment support programs for persons with disabilities to help them find suitable jobs.

Donors for the year 2005 include UNICEF, Government of Norway, Government of Canada, UNDP/NPAD and the Abilis Foundation where the current donors of DAO are UNMACA, WRA and OHCHR.