Regional East Africa iWASH Training promotes disability-inclusive WASH Programming

In a significant step toward fostering disability-inclusive Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) programming, 21 regional WASH actors from 12 organizations recently gathered in Nairobi, Kenya, for a practical iWASH training. The workshop, held over four days, brought together participants from Kenya, Sudan/South Sudan, Uganda, Ethiopia, and Somalia, including representatives from UN agencies and national and international NGOs. Nairobi was chosen as the training location due to its role as a regional coordination and donor hub, accounting for attainability for many stakeholders in the humanitarian sector.

Days of Learning, Collaboration, and Action

The workshop was designed based on the iWASH training package to capacitate WASH actors to integrate disability-inclusion into their responses, raise awareness, and adapt their tools accordingly. The workshop featured a mix of theoretical sessions, interactive group work, and practical tool adaptation exercises, creating a dynamic and engaging learning environment.

The training covered topics such as the concept of disability, intersectionality, as well as barriers to WASH and theIASC Guidelines on inclusion. Sessions on accessibility and universal design were complemented by discussions on Must-Do Actions and inclusive community engagement. On the final day, participants adapted their own WASH tools to ensure disability-inclusion, putting their newly gained knowledge into practice.

Commitment to Action

The workshop provided a valuable platform for participants to exchange best practices and lessons learned. The collaborative atmosphere was a highlight, with participants being able to network and form professional connections.

The feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing how the training had transformed their approach to WASH programming. The participants left the workshop with renewed motivation and a clear commitment to integrating disability-inclusion into their projects and drive meaningful change.

Voices from the Workshop:

• “I have a better understanding of inclusive programming and how to apply my new knowledge in our projects.”
• “It helped me reflect on how existing tools and programming approaches can be adapted to ensure meaningful inclusion of persons with disabilities. It will be valuable in improving program design, monitoring, and community engagement in my work.”
• “I plan to strengthen the integration of disability inclusion across the WASH project cycle, particularly in needs assessments, community engagement, and monitoring processes.”
• “I got actionable knowledge on how to design, implement, monitor, and evaluate disability-inclusive programs. I got insights on how to negotiate for the integration of persons with disabilities inclusion costs in the budget. [I got] to understand that removing barriers does not always involve much cost—there are adaptable local solutions.”
• “I am now capable of capacity building my team on disability-inclusion in our WASH programming.”
• “I’m planning to share the information with my colleagues, including decision-makers, to ease inclusive considerations within our projects.”
• “First, I plan to train various country offices on key concepts of disability-inclusive WASH in humanitarian action, advocate for inclusion of inclusive WASH in project designs, and to demystify the issue of disability.”

Looking Ahead

The success of the iWASH training highlights the importance of strengthening capacity in sector-specific skills, and integrating disability-inclusive practices in WASH responses. Participants left with not only enhanced knowledge but also practical tools and strategies to implement in their work. The iWASH training package developed under Phase 3 – Leave no one behind! will continue to serve as a valuable resource, supporting WASH actors to create more inclusive and accessible programs.

The iWASH training package is available here.