Expanding Disability-Inclusive
Social Protection.
EDISOP is an FFF initiative to ensure persons with disabilities — especially the most marginalised — are included in social protection programs and COVID-19 recovery interventions in Lagos State.
Why EDISOP Was Needed
Inclusion of persons with disabilities (PWDs) in the establishment and implementation of social protection policy frameworks by governments in Nigeria — especially at the sub-national level — has been very poor over the last decade.
Social protection programs have not only failed to meet the actual needs of PWDs, but have also failed to reach the most vulnerable: children with disabilities, persons with multiple or psychosocial disabilities, those in rural areas, and women and girls with disabilities.
The COVID-19 pandemic significantly worsened this exclusion. Only 15,000 out of approximately two million PWDs in Lagos State — just 0.75% — were reached with COVID-19 social protection palliatives between April 2020 and September 2021.
Additionally, Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) lacked the institutional and leadership capacities needed to advocate effectively for PWD inclusion in social protection delivery.
Only 0.75% of PWDs in Lagos State were reached with COVID-19 social protection palliatives — a stark illustration of the exclusion EDISOP set out to address.
Goal & Objective
Improve the Social & Economic Lives of Vulnerable Persons with Disabilities
Through their access to, and inclusion in, social protection and COVID-19 response programs — ensuring the most marginalised PWDs are not left behind during disasters and emergencies in Nigeria.
Advocate for Disability-Inclusive & Gender-Responsive Social Protection in Lagos State
To guard against the neglect of persons with disabilities during disasters and emergencies — using CRPD and SDG frameworks to build sustainable OPD advocacy capacity and engage government MDAs on inclusive policy implementation.
Project Activities
To achieve the project goal, FFF carried out seven key activities across the 12-month project period.
Situation Analysis of Social Protection Programs
Conducted a comprehensive situation analysis of social protection and COVID-19 recovery programs in Lagos State to ascertain the level of disability inclusivity — with findings distilled into actionable recommendations.
OPD Capacity Building Training
Held a one-day training for OPD representatives in Lagos State to strengthen their capacity for advocacy on disability-inclusive social protection — covering CRPD and SDG provisions, and inclusion of women, girls, and other marginalised groups.
MDA Staff Training
Organised a one-day training for key Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDA) staff on strategies for implementing disability-inclusive social protection and COVID-19 response programs in line with UNCRPD and SDG provisions.
Advocacy Visits to Key Stakeholders
Carried out targeted advocacy visits to key government stakeholders to push for disability-inclusive social protection programs and interventions during disasters such as COVID-19.
OPD–Electoral Candidate Meetings
Facilitated meetings between OPDs and electoral candidates on disability-inclusive agendas — particularly on social protection and humanitarian interventions — ahead of the 2023 elections.
Public Awareness & Virtual Launch
Created awareness through a virtual project launch and sensitised the public on disability inclusion in social protection through media engagements throughout the project period.
Evidence-Based Tool Development
Developed evidence-based tools and guidelines for the implementation of disability-inclusive social protection in Lagos State — providing a lasting resource for OPDs and government agencies beyond the project period.
Outcomes & Impact
Measured results from the September 2022 – September 2023 project period.
Lessons Learned
EDISOP opened the eyes of PWDs to their rights — particularly on social protection. Many now have a better understanding of available programs and the procedures for accessing them, starting with proper registration and documentation.
OPDs learned that every PWD is an advocate for the rights of persons with disabilities, and that disability inclusion must begin at the planning and design stage of policies and programmes.
The project advanced effective collaboration between OPDs and Lagos State government — producing a concrete guideline for disability-inclusive social protection that extends beyond the project period.
EDISOP in Action
March – September 2023
Trusted Partners & Members
