In order to improve the quality of life of people with disabilities in developing countries, APAID works via the following different steps:

Partnering with local organizations

APAID partners with local organizations willing to implement projects for people with disabilities but lacking the knowledge to do so. In preparing such a project, APAID tries to understand the structure of the partner organizations and to expand its network with knowledgeable project partners such as Disabled People’s Organizations, relevant Non-Governmental Organizations, National Paralympic Committees and Special Olympics.

Capacity building

Since knowledge in APA is lacking in many developing countries, APAID wants to contribute to the spread of existing knowledge in this field. By organizing courses about disability related topics in general and APA in specific, APAID aims to educate staff members and volunteers from the local partner organization.

Implementing projects for people with disabilities

APAID assists and advises in the development of the project proposal, the planning, the timeline and the management of projects focusing on sport for people with disabilities. In doing so, APAID uses the existing structures and strengths of the local partner organizations. In this way, each project is adapted to the organizational and cultural environment to optimize its sustainability.

Raising awareness

APAID sees the raising of awareness as a significant task because on the one hand many people in developing countries do not have access to information concerning disability related issues and on the other hand many people in Western countries are not aware of the situation of people with disabilities in developing countries. Therefore APAID includes the organization of information meeting for community members in its projects in developing countries. Besides, people in Western countries get information during inclusive events, fundraising activities, presentations, workshops and letters.

Research, Monitoring and Evaluation

After the implementation of projects, APAID in collaboration with university from all over the world follow up with the conduction of research in order to evaluate the impact of the project. This research is used for improvements in the running and future projects and for the development of APA tools for local partner organizations. Through the monitoring and evaluation of projects for people with disabilities, APAID contributes to the development of expertise in the area of “APA and development”.

Networking with relevant (international) organizations

In order to share knowledge and experiences as well as to increase organizational impacts, APAID partners with relevant (international) organizations that are working in the field of disability and development, sport and development or APA .