Where we've come from

Photo: ADD InternationalADD International was founded as Action on Disability and Development in 1985 by Chris Underhill. During a trip to Zimbabwe Chris met and was inspired by the achievements of disabled people’s organisations who were successfully changing people’s attitudes and government policy.

Although, at the time, other charities were working with disabled people in Africa they viewed disabled people from a medical perspective, and provided treatment their disability (or impairment).

There was a clear need for an organisation that supported disabled people to come together, identify and prioritise their own needs and demand equal opportunities in order to reduce the poverty in which they lived, through their own initiatives. It is this collaborative approach that remains at the very core of all our work.

The disabled people’s organisations that we support are made up of dedicated, determined disabled people who represent themselves and challenge disability discrimination in their countries.

No other organisation works with disabled people in the unique way we do; with the ability to bring disabled people together at different levels within already complex environments.

Our work reaches out to all disabled people, regardless of their impairment and works at all levels of society.

Related Topics Chris Underhill, Action on Disability and Development, Zimbabwe, disabled people's organisations, ADD, social model of disability

Working with disabled people in Africa and Asia for positive change. Get to know us better.

Where we've come from

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