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Choose how you would like to support Us!

One-Time gifts
Sponsor a month of specialized training for a parent of a child with disabilities. "Empower a family today! Your one-time gift of $150 provides a month of specialized training for a parent of a child with disabilities." Support advocacy efforts to improve accessibility in schools and communities. "Make a difference now! A one-time donation of $250 supports our advocacy efforts for better accessibility in schools and communities." Fund a workshop empowering girls and women with disabilities. "Transform lives with a one-time gift. Your $300 donation funds a workshop to empower girls and women with disabilities."

Tribute Gifts
Honor someone special by supporting the Disability Inclusive Accessibility and Education Fund (DIAEF). "Celebrate someone special with a tribute gift. Support DIAEF in their honor and promote equal rights and integration for persons with disabilities." Memorial gifts to empower mothers of children with disabilities. "Remember a loved one with a memorial gift. Empower mothers of children with disabilities to become confident advocates for their children's needs." Birthday or anniversary donations for vocational training programs. "Celebrate a milestone with a tribute gift. Donate in honor of a birthday or anniversary to support vocational training programs for persons with disabilities."

Monthly Donations
Provide ongoing support to a person with disabilities. "Join our circle of supporters. Just $25 a month provides ongoing support to a person with disabilities." Fund continuous training and support for families of deaf children. "Make a lasting impact every month. Your recurring donation helps fund continuous support and training for families of deaf children." Support the creation of resource guides and toolkits. "Be a part of continuous change. A monthly donation helps create and distribute comprehensive resource guides and toolkits."
DISABILITY INCLUSIVE ACCESSIBILITY AND EDUCATION FUND - DIAEF
The Disability Inclusive Accessibility and Education Fund (DIAEF) is a vital initiative of DIDEPAS to promote equal rights and the full integration of persons with disabilities into mainstream community life. Your financial contribution helps preserve the economic security, safety, and dignity of children, youth, girls, and women with disabilities by improving access to education, training, healthcare, public benefits, transportation, digital media, and education through our legal, policy, and parent advocacy work.

The objective of DIAEF is to support persons with disabilities and parents of children with disabilities through:
- Advocacy: Promoting accessibility and education for children with disabilities.
- Training for Persons with Disabilities: Providing essential skills and knowledge to help them achieve independence and full social participation.
- Training for Parents of Children with Disabilities: Equipping parents with the expertise and confidence to make informed decisions for their children’s well-being.
- Support: Empowering girls, youth, and women with disabilities to preserve their dignity and enhance their self-esteem.
Our Impact:
Poverty increases the risk of disability, and persons with disabilities are often at risk of poverty due to a lack of access to educational opportunities, healthcare, and employment. This cycle negatively impacts their living conditions. Among the most marginalized and excluded in our communities are children, girls, youth, and women with disabilities. They cannot fully participate in their communities’ development without access to essential services.
By making a financial contribution to the Disability Inclusive Accessibility and Education Fund (DIAEF), you help advance the human and civil rights of persons with disabilities through advocacy, education, training, and support. Your support makes a tangible difference, ensuring no one is left behind.
Our Stories:
Meet Sarah, a mother of a child with disabilities. Before discovering DIAEF, she felt isolated and overwhelmed. Through our training programs and support networks, Sarah gained the skills and confidence to advocate for her child’s needs and found a community of other mothers facing similar challenges. Your donation helps create success stories like Sarah’s, empowering families to thrive.
Join Us:
Your donation is more than a gift; it is a lifeline that empowers individuals with disabilities to lead dignified, independent lives. Together, we can create a more inclusive society where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. Donate today and be a part of this transformative mission.
How We Use Your Donations:
$150 provides a month of specialized training for a parent of a child with disabilities.
$250 supports advocacy efforts to improve accessibility in schools and communities.
$300 funds a workshop empowering girls and women with disabilities.
$500 helps create and distribute comprehensive resource guides and toolkits.
Get Involved:
- Volunteer: Join our team and offer your skills to support our initiatives.
- Partner with Us: Collaborate with DIDEPAS to expand our reach and impact.
Your support ensures that no parent feels alone in his/her journey and that every child with disabilities receives the care and opportunities they deserve. Thank you for your generosity and commitment to making a difference.
SUPPORT MOTHERS, EMPOWER CHILDREN
A mother’s job is never done. As the primary carer of your child, you often lose sight of anything related to you, only focused on making sure that your child is never left wanting. For a mother of a child with disabilities, this responsibility is even more profound. The closest connection their child could have, mothers often become overwhelmed with the sheer weight of all they are accountable for. Yet, they persist, knowing their child needs them now more than ever.
At Disability Inclusive Development Programs and Services (DIDEPAS), we understand the unique challenges these incredible mothers face. Our mission is to stand beside them, offering essential resources, specialized training, and unwavering support to ensure they know they are not alone. Here’s how we’re making a difference—and how you can help.

Creating Comprehensive Resources
We know that knowledge is power. That’s why we’re developing a series of comprehensive guides and toolkits packed with practical information to help mothers navigate the complexities of raising a child with disabilities. Our online resources, including webinars and video tutorials, are easily accessible and provide vital information at the click of a button.
Empowering Through Training
Our workshops and training sessions cover various topics, from special education needs to healthcare and legal rights. We aim to equip mothers with the expertise and confidence to make the best decisions for their children. By providing this specialized training, we empower mothers to become confident advocates for their children’s needs.
Building a Supportive Community
No one should face their challenges alone. DIDEPAS establishes local support groups where mothers can meet, share experiences, and offer each other invaluable support. Our online community platform extends this network, allowing mothers to connect, share resources, and support one another no matter where they are.
Raising Awareness
We educate the public about these mothers’ unique challenges through targeted awareness campaigns. Our campaigns utilize social media, local media, and community events to spread the message and foster a more inclusive society.
Forging Strong Partnerships
Collaboration is critical to creating lasting change. We work closely with local healthcare providers, educational institutions, and other NGOs to provide comprehensive support. We also amplify our impact by engaging with businesses for sponsorships and in-kind donations.
Advocating for Change
We advocate for policies and programs that support disability inclusion and provide necessary resources for families. Our participation in community forums and policy-making processes ensures that the voices of mothers and children with disabilities are heard and respected.
Fundraising for the Future
Our diverse fundraising strategies, including grants, donations, corporate sponsorships, and crowdfunding, ensure we have the resources to continue our vital work. Engaging in fundraising events like charity runs, galas, and auctions brings our community together to support our mission.
How You Can Help
Your donation can transform lives. By contributing to DIDEPAS, you are directly supporting mothers of children with disabilities, providing them with the resources, training, and community they need. Your generosity helps us host monthly support meetings, build a resource library, establish a helpline, and run a volunteer program offering respite care and daily assistance.
Join us in making a difference. Your support ensures that no mother feels alone in her journey and that every child with disabilities receives the care and opportunities they deserve. Donate today and be a part of this transformative mission.
Together, we can create a brighter future for these extraordinary families. I appreciate your support.
SOCIOECONOMIC INCLUSION FOR THE DEAF IN CÔTE D'IVOIRE: MARTHA'S VINEYARD MODEL
Overview:
As the sun rises over the bustling city of Abidjan, a new day dawns, bringing hope and the promise of change. In the heart of Côte d’Ivoire, DIDEPAS ambitions to transform the lives of thousands of deaf children and adults. Inspired by the remarkable historical example of Martha’s Vineyard, DIDEPAS has crafted a vision for social inclusion that seeks to break down barriers and create a genuinely inclusive society.

The Vision:
Our project, “Socioeconomic Inclusion for the Deaf in Côte d’Ivoire: Martha’s Vineyard Model,” aims to harness the potential of community, education, and advocacy to ensure that deaf individuals are not marginalized but integral, valued members of society. However, to turn this vision into reality, we must secure the necessary resources and support. This is where our fundraising plan comes into play.
Fundraising Goals:
Our goal is to raise $500,000 over the next 12 months. These funds will be allocated as follows:
- $100,000: Development and Promotion of a Harmonized National Sign Language
- $150,000: Establishment of Training and Support Centers
- $100,000: Vocational Training Programs for Deaf Individuals and Sign Language Interpreters, including professionalization of sign language interpretation
- $50,000: Awareness Campaigns and Advocacy Efforts
- $100,000Continuous Support and Follow-Up for Families and Deaf Children
Join our mission to empower the Deaf in Côte d’Ivoire, inspired by Martha’s Vineyard.
Each year, approximately 5,000 children are born with deafness in Côte d’Ivoire, and 200,000 children suffer from significant hearing loss. Unfortunately, cultural prejudices, inadequate school infrastructure, and insufficient teacher training deprive these children of the education necessary for their development. The management of hearing issues remains limited, with about 200,000 children affected by disabling hearing loss. Access to cochlear implants is restricted due to a lack of resources and qualified personnel. Local deaf associations report a significant lack of support and awareness of the needs and rights of deaf people. This exclusion extends into adulthood, where barriers to professional integration persist due to inadequate vocational training and low employer awareness.
Inspired by Martha’s Vineyard: A Model of Inclusion
Martha’s Vineyard, a small island off the coast of Massachusetts, USA, provides a remarkable historical example of the social inclusion of the deaf. Dr. Nora Groce’s book describes how this community developed a unique approach to inclusion. In the 19th century, a significant proportion of the population was deaf, particularly in Chilmark. This led to the widespread use of Martha’s Vineyard Sign Language (MVSL) by all residents, making communication fluid and inclusive.
Fundamental Principles from Martha’s Vineyard:
Accessibility and Use of Sign Language: Both deaf and hearing residents used shared sign language, making communication inclusive.
Integration into Local Culture: MVSL was used by the entire community, creating a bilingual society where sign language was respected and used as much as spoken language.
Full and Active Participation: Deaf individuals fully participated in their community’s economic, social, and political life.
Social Model of Disability: The community removed communication barriers, demonstrating that perceived limitations are often the result of social infrastructure rather than the incapacity itself.
Our Strategy for Côte d’Ivoire: Inspired by Martha’s Vineyard, our project proposes the following strategies for social protection and socioeconomic inclusion of the deaf in Côte d’Ivoire:
Harmonization and Promotion of Sign Language: Develop and promote a harmonized national sign language.
Introduce sign language teaching in elementary schools, training centers, and universities. Develop and promote a harmonized national sign language in Côte d’Ivoire to facilitate communication and inclusion across the country
Creation of Infrastructure and Vocational Training: Establish training and support centers equipped with adapted technologies.
Implement vocational training programs for sign language interpreters and the deaf.
Establish a mechanism for validating the diplomas of sign language interpreters and promote the professionalization of sign language interpretation.
Awareness and Advocacy: Conduct awareness campaigns to educate the general population.
Advocate for the official recognition of sign language by all government entities.
Support and Accompaniment: Ensure continuous support and follow-up for families and deaf children through local associations.
Establish partnerships with NGOs, companies, and public institutions to mobilize resources and funds.
How You Can Help:
Donate:
Your financial contribution will directly impact the lives of deaf individuals in Côte d’Ivoire. Every donation brings us one step closer to a more inclusive society.
Spread the Word:
Share our mission on social media using the hashtag #InclusionForDeafCI. Tell your friends and family about the importance of deaf inclusion and encourage them to support our cause.
Get Involved:
Join our community of advocates. Participate in our online events, webinars, and discussions to learn how to make a difference.
Partner with DIDEPAS:
If you represent an organization, consider becoming a partner or sponsor. Your support can help us reach our goals and create a lasting impact.
The story of Martha’s Vineyard shows us that social inclusion of the deaf is possible through cultural adaptation and the removal of barriers. By adopting these principles in Côte d’Ivoire, we can create an environment where deaf individuals are fully integrated and have the same opportunities as other citizens. Let’s build an inclusive future where every citizen can fully participate in community life.
Join us today and be a part of this transformative journey. Together, we can make a difference!
Recurring Donations
JOIN OUR CIRCLE OF SUPPORTERS TO TRANSFORM LIVES WITH DIDEPAS
Join our circle of supporters to transform lives with DIDEPAS: Support Our Mission with a monthly donation. Just $25 a month can provide ongoing support to a person with disabilities.
Meet Awa, a mother of three, whose life changed when DIDEPAS helped her gain the skills to support her family and care for her child with disabilities. Your donation can help us transform more lives like Awa’s.

SUPPORT DIDEPAS AT GDS 2025
The Global Disability Summit (GDS) 2025, a pivotal event for disability rights and inclusion, is fast approaching in Berlin, Germany. We need your support to ensure DIDEPAS’s participation in this significant event. Your financial contributions or logistical support will be instrumental in covering essential expenses and hosting a side event that showcases our mission.
Why Support DIDEPAS?
Your support will:
- Amplify the voices of disabled individuals on a global stage.
- Enhance our capacity to advocate for disability rights and social protection inclusion.
- Help us share our successes and challenges, fostering international collaboration.

How You Can Help:
Donate: Your financial contribution will directly support our participation and advocacy efforts.
Provide Logistical Support: Assist with travel arrangements, accommodation, and transportation.
Sponsor a Side Event: Help us host a side event to showcase our initiatives and engage with global stakeholders.
Join Us in Making a Difference:
- Your generosity can transform lives and help build a brighter future for all. By supporting DIDEPAS, you contribute to a global movement for disability inclusion and empowerment.
Donate Now to ensure our participation in GDS 2025 and make a lasting impact. Together, we can create an inclusive world where every individual is valued and supported.
What People Saying About Us
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12/4/17

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12/4/17
