ADD's history
ADD was set up in 1985 by Chris Underhill, who had been inspired by the work of the disability movement in Zimbabwe, where organised self advocacy by disabled people’s organisations was having an impact on attitudes and policy.
In the mid 1980’s other international organisations had identified disabled people among the poorest. However disabled people’s needs were all too often viewed from a medical perspective, related only to their impairment. Consequently interventions were usually limited to specialist services, often provided by medical professionals with little involvement by disabled people themselves.
Clearly there was a need for an organisation which would target disabled people in poverty and help build the capacity of disabled people’s organisations to demand equal opportunities. Consequently ADD was established in 1985 as a development agency working with disabled people’s organisations in developing countries, and positioned itself alongside other international agencies working towards the reduction of poverty through self-help initiatives.
Although ADD was not established as an organisation of disabled people itself, it recognised that the understanding of negative attitudes, oppression and discrimination experienced by disabled people themselves was vital to the organisation if it was to work effectively. In choosing staff and trustees an affirmative action policy was promoted and a target set that at least 50% of staff and trustees should be disabled people.
Since 1985 ADD has gone from strength to strength. Following on from Chris Underhill, Barbara Frost (Chief Executive 1996 - 2005) played a significant role in ADD's achievements. During this period ADD supported disabled people to lobby and campaign for inclusion in all areas of life (education, work, health services, voting and transport etc). For example, ADD supported disabled people to access the vote, perhaps for the first time, and to take part in election monitoring in Ghana, Bangladesh, Zambia and Cambodia..... and ensured visually impaired people could vote independently in the national elections in Ghana (2004).
Isaac Kute took over the role of Chief Executive in January 2006 and stepped down in December 2007. Jabulani Ncube was Acting Chief Executive until Jill Flynn took on the role of Chief Executive in March 2009.
Jill Flynn
Jill Flynn (previously Wagner) is a legally blind (partially sighted) person. Jill has been involved with, and connected to, disabled people's organisations over many years in a variety of capacities.
Jill has a background in business and information systems spanning twenty years, besides her lived experience as a person with a disability.
Previous to joining ADD Jill held the position of the National Executive Director of the South African National Council for the Blind. Jill has also been involved in international development through her role as the Chairperson of the World Blind Union's Low Vision Committee. Jill holds a Masters degree in Adult Learning and Development and is in the process of doing a PhD with a focus on the Psychology of Leadership.
Jill is passionate about the work of ADD which aims to promote greater participation of disabled people in all aspects of a diverse society and economy, in a developing country context. Jill aims to lead ADD through a process of transformation which will ensure improved effectiveness and efficiency and therefore strengthen the work of ADD as an ally of disabled people and their organizations, resulting in an improved quality of life and strengthened social movement.