Disability inclusion technical partnership with the Australian aid programme

Project | March 19, 2025

CBM Global’s Inclusion Advisory Group (IAG) has been the long-term disability inclusion technical partner of the Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).

The Australia team of IAG have worked with DFAT (then AusAID) since 2011 in a series of partnership agreements, through which we have supported DFAT to institutionalise and embed disability inclusion practice within its work and the work of its partners. 

Our current partnership period has four shared outcome areas: 

1. The disability inclusion awareness, capacity, policy and practice of DFAT and implementing partners is improved.
2. Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) are supported to engage in and influence development processes.
3. Evidence of good practice disability-inclusive development is collected, disseminated and used.
4. Australia demonstrates global and regional leadership in disability inclusive development. 

We have learnt that to have the best chance to embed disability inclusion within international development and humanitarian action, it is important that DFAT staff and partners have access to fit for purpose disability inclusion technical support – including capacity building, evidence and learning, and access to technical advice from a disability inclusion specialist – when they need it. To meet this need, IAG developed and built the online DID4all help desk platform where DFAT staff can request and receive tailored advice, guidance, tools or training.   

“DFAT’s partnership with CBM Australia is an essential enabler for accessing quality disability inclusive technical assistance and capacity building support.”

– Excerpt from the 2018 evaluation of implementation of DFAT’s Development for All 2015-2020 strategy. 

Our technical partnership with DFAT was independently evaluated in 2024. The evaluation found that:  

• The partnership has made considerable contributions to disability-inclusive development in Australia’s international development program, enhancing awareness, capacity, policy, and practice.
• IAG acts as a highly valued facilitator between people with disabilities and DFAT, strengthening both the capacity of OPDs to engage in development processes as well as DFAT’s capability to engage effectively with OPDs.
• The Partnership’s efforts to document and disseminate good practice have contributed to understanding, awareness and practice change. 
• The complementary strengths of each partner have contributed significantly to progress, with IAG bringing a unique combination of value in terms of its ways of working, OPD relationships, and technical expertise. 

Related links 

• DFAT disability inclusion technical partnership
• Disability inclusion technical partnership with the Australian aid programme
• Our work with the Australian Government
• Australia’s assistance for disability equity and rights

Related resources

• Partnership evaluation of the DFAT – CBM IAG disability inclusion technical partnership (2024) 

NOTE: This independent evaluation was commissioned by DFAT and conducted by Clear Horizon, and the review report is published on DFAT’s website. CBM IAG posted a recap of the findings on LinkedIn. 

• DID4all website

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