Bridge Alumni Reference Group DSi is supporting self-advocates with intellectual disabilities to improve Bridge training - a program that helps advocates speak up for the rights of people with disabilities. What is Bridge? Bridge CRPD-SDG is a training program that helps organizations of people with disabilities (DPOs) and disability rights advocates learn about the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and how to advocate for the rights of people with disabilities. The program is designed to help DPOs participate fully and effectively in all aspects of development, including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Bridge training initiative was built by the International Disability Alliance (IDA) and the International Disability and Development Consortium (IDDC). Down Syndrome International (DSi) and Inclusion International (II) were part of the design and review team. What is the issue? The Bridge training has developed rapidly since 2015 and IDA, II and DSi believe that a review is needed to identify areas for improvement and to ensure that all participants with intellectual disabilities can participate as effectively as possible. What we are doing. We are following the methodology outlined in the Listen Include Respect guidelines for consultations to ensure that people with intellectual disabilities are leading the process from the start. We have formed an Alumni Reference Group of self-advocates and their supporters who have participated in Bridge CRPD-SDGs training in the past. This group is leading a review of the training and will develop recommendations and an action plan to strengthen participation. We are working with the Alumni Reference Group to provide training to IDA's core Bridge team on the Listen Include Respect guidelines. We are also working together to design an accessible survey so we can learn from other Bridge alumni about their experience of the training. We have organised an in-person workshop in Kenya with Bridge alumni with intellectual disabilities and their supporters, to review the findings of the survey. The group will discuss recommendations for improvements to be made to the Bridge CRPD-SDGs training. We will use the in-person workshop as an opportunity to launch a new network for Bridge alumni with intellectual disabilities. This will be a forum to allow Bridge alumni with intellectual disabilities to share updates after completing Bridge training and support each other with advocacy work. Finally, we will work with the Alumni Reference Group to develop a recommendation report on improvements needed to strengthen the participation of people with intellectual disabilities in Bridge CRPD-SDGs Training modules 1 & 2. If you like what you have seen, why not sign up to join our network? Learn - find out what needs to change in the world so that all people with Down syndrome are fully included in society. Inform - tell us what life is like for people with Down syndrome where you live. Advocate - speak up for people with Down syndrome and disabilities. SIGN-UP Manage Cookie Preferences