MADI, 'changing perceptions, changing communities, changing lives'

Who We Are:

Founded in April 2014, and Incorporated in the United States of America in 2018 under Section 501 c 3 of the IRS, More Action for Disability Inclusion -MADI, Inc is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting disability inclusion and accessibility. 

Our mission is to empower individuals with disabilities, foster inclusive communities, and break down barriers to equal opportunities.  

Our team consists of passionate individuals who are committed to creating a more inclusive society for people with disabilities.

What We Do:

We work to:

• Provide education and training on disability inclusion and accessibility;
• Advocate for disability rights and policy changes;
• Offer resources and support services for individuals with disabilities;
• Collaborate with organizations to promote inclusive practices.

At MADI, our work is grounded on the basic principle that GOD loves and cares for ALL human beings unconditionally, irrespective of their real or imagined abilities or disabilities. We therefore seek to specifically address:

• the lower educational achievements of persons (children) with disabilities. MADI advocates for the inclusion of students with disabilities in their neighborhood schools through Inclusive Education and inclusive recreational facilities by fostering communities where neighborhood schools and communities welcome all students and engage them in learning regardless of their condition.
• the poor healthcare of PLWDs by ensuring that they live healthy lives through proper sanitation and hygiene and having access to clean water (WASH) and good nutrition in their communities.
• the limited employment and economic opportunities of women and girls with disabilities in particular, and the higher rates of poverty experienced by PLWDs by promoting income generating activities, and inclusive vocational training in Low Income Communities so that they can have decent job opportunities that inspire hope and restore their dignity and respect in their communities.
• the constant exclusion of Internally Displaced Persons and Refugees living with disabilities during emergencies from humanitarian aid by promoting an inclusive humanitarian response practice in project initiation, design, execution and service delivery before, during and in the aftermath of disasters.

Our Vision:

MADI’s vision is to Reconstruct inclusive communities wherein individuals with disabilities are fully included, valued, and empowered to reach their full potential.

 Our Mission:

MADI’s mission is to Contribute towards global efforts in enhancing and accelerating disability inclusion through advocacy, education, and community engagement, breaking down barriers and fostering a culture of accessibility, respect, and empowerment

AIMS:

• Promote disability inclusion and accessibility in all aspects of life;
• Empower individuals with disabilities to reach their full potentials;
• Foster a culture of inclusivity, respect, and equal opportunities.

OBJECTIVES:

•  provide high-quality support services for individuals with disabilities and their families ;
• Advocate for policy changes and legislation that promote disability inclusion;
• Educate and train educators, professionals, and the community on disability awareness and inclusive practices;
• Facilitate access to resources, services, and opportunities for individuals with disabilities;
• Collaborate with organizations and stakeholders to amplify our impact;
• Continuously monitor and evaluate our programs and services to ensure effectiveness and improvement.
• To foster close collaboration and effective partnerships with Organizations of Persons with disabilities (OPDs), and Community Based Organization (CBOs) working to promote the effective inclusion of persons with disabilities in education, employment, vocational training, health care, livelihood programs and humanitarian response.
• To empower and improve the status and rights of women, girls and youths with disabilities through vocational training and income generating activities.
• To raise global awareness of disability-inclusive development by fostering the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development which recognizes in its preamble that: 

“eradicating poverty in all its forms and dimensions, including extreme poverty, is the greatest global challenge and an indispensable requirement for sustainable development”, and also stipulates that '' disability cannot be a reason or criteria for lack of access to development programming and the realization of human rights''. In other words, 'living no one behind'.

• to create awareness on the 2016 World Humanitarian Summit(WHS) which launched The Charter on the Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in Humanitarian Action;

OUR CORE VALUES

MADI’s values represent the guiding principles we have chosen to follow as we interact with the communities we serve.

MADI therefore strives to uphold these values so that wherever we fall short, we hold ourselves accountable to recommit to live by these values.

• INTEGRITY: We do what we say we do by being honest and trustworthy. We promote trust, transparency, accountability, and a Safe Environment for all. We hold our mission above our own self-interest.
• COMPASSION/EMPATHY: We treat the people we serve with Empathy, Love, Compassion and Understanding by respecting their different attributes and their needs.
• HOPE: We face challenges with Optimism and approach our work with a sense of Passion and Joy.
• DIVERSITY: We practice inclusive cultures and inclusive decision making. We believe that different people and communities have different strengths, and so we value all voices in decision making.
• COMMUNITY:  We believe it takes a village to realize positive social change.
• CHOICE: We believe people facing discrimination, marginalization and exclusion understand their needs better than anyone.
• COMMITMENT: We are committed to our mission and objectives in including ALL persons living with disabilities in the development processes of their respective communities.
• INCLUSIVITY: We believe everyone deserves equal access and opportunities.
• ACCESSIBILITY: We promote accessible environments, systems, and attitudes.
• RESPECT: We value diversity, dignity, and individuality.

What defines Us:

In achieving our mission, our main method is the strategic use of Advocacy and Education that will train people to understand how the principles of disability inclusion relate to the sphere of human endeavor of making life meaningful and better for everyone.

We also strive to implement the core principle of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development which is “leaving no one behind”.

At MADI, we also take the time to carefully address the Seven (7) Pillars of Disability inclusion which are the foundations, fundamental pillars and elements of inclusion we strongly advocate for which are: ACCESS, ATTITUDE, CHOICE, PARTNERSHIPS, COMMUNICATION, POLICY AND OPPORTUNITIES

At MADI, We strive to make a difference by adopting a distinctive approach in our research methods to enable us to promote the socio-cultural and socio-economic inclusion of PLWDs in their respective communities because we believe that PLWDs are also entitled to the same rights, privileges and opportunities as their non-disabled peers;

At MADI, we see all persons with physical, intellectual, developmental and sensory impairments as GOD’s own creature endowed with God-given potentials, very unique gifts and special talents that can be developed if the society changes its perceptions and attitudes towards them. In achieving our mission, we believe that nothing should be done that does not Glorify GOD Almighty and His Son, Jesus Christ.

At MADI, we envision a community where ALL children, irrespective of their abilities and disabilities should be expected to attend the same neighborhood schools, play together, learn from the same curriculum, create friendship and become full members of their communities.

At MADI, we combine and coordinate as many services as needed, ranging from inclusive education, recreational services, vocational training, nutrition, health care, WASH services, employment, housing to humanitarian or emergency response services to meet the growing needs of PLWDs in their communities;

We provide Long-Term Community Support(LTCS) to help PLWDs achieve their full potential and goal;

At MADI, we do not assume that we know all the needs, aspirations or desires of persons we serve.

We don’t make choices for them because we strongly uphold the concept of “My Life, My Choices” and the concept of “Nothing About Us, Without Us” by supporting and encouraging each of the persons we serve to be engaged in the decision-making processes that affects his or her life and choosing what is best for him or her. By so doing, we encourage them to guide us in helping them reach their goal and aspirations.

Diversity:

At MADI, we seek diversity in our staff, in our programs, in our volunteers and as well as in the people we serve.

Strategic Imperatives:

At MADI, our projects and outcome goals evolve around women, children, boys, girls, men, older adults, refugees and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) with disabilities.