Evaluation

Since 2008, the Disability Rights Fund/Disability Rights Advocacy Fund have supported change in the lives of persons with disabilities to advocate for equal rights and full participation in society.  As one of the few organizations that has initiated a funding model for the disability rights field built on partnership between funders and the disability community, it is critical for DRF/DRAF’s evaluation and learning to reflect its participatory model.

From the outset, DRF/DRAF built our evaluation and learning upon a commitment to:

  • Rights-based approaches
  • Long-term capacity development
  • Inclusiveness and recognition of diversity of the disability movement
  • Mutual benefit to DRF/DRAF and the disability movement

Our robust monitoring and learning system includes an evidence-based pathway of change, stakeholder-developed logframe, and more than 30 data sources.  This formative learning approach allows for data-driven annual reviews and country strategy development with in-depth analysis of trends, obstacles, and opportunities for movement building in advancing disability rights.  Watch this Evaluating Participatory Grantmaking webinar, which was part of a launch series for the report Grassroots Grantmaking: Embedding Participatory Approaches in Funding, to learn more about the DRF/DRAF evaluation framework.

Read our evaluations 

Periodic independent external evaluations have allowed us to reflect on achievements, gaps, and opportunities and to change course, as needed. To date, four independent evaluations have shown how a participatory grantmaker has a critical role in furthering the rights of persons with disabilities. 

· BLE Solutions DRF/DRAF Evaluation, 2020 

In 2020, traditional evaluation criteria were assessed and DRF/DRAF’s participatory grantmaking model and DRF/DRAF’s contributions to diversity within national disability movements were examined. The process consulted 85 individuals in five countries focused on the period from April 2017 to March 2019. 

In countries where DRF/DRAF are not present, the movement is not as inclusive. 

– BLE Evaluation Report, 2020

2020 BLE Solutions Global Evaluation Summary

2020 BLE Solutions Global Evaluation Report

· Leadership Strategies Pacific Island Countries Evaluation, 2020

In 2020, a second evaluation was conducted in which grantees in target Pacific Island countries were asked to define the evaluation questions and purposes. This evaluation was unique in its ceding of critical evaluation design decisions to grantees and the examination of what changed as a result of DRF/DRAF support as well as how the change occurred. Funded in part by the United Kingdom Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the process consulted 52 individuals through two field visits regarding DRF/DRAF contributions between April 2017 to March 2019.

All interviewees confirmed that DRF/DRAF’s grants have been significant in supporting OPD efforts and that OPD efforts have been significant in the achievement of changes in disability rights. OPD officials confirmed that without funding provided by DRF/DRAF, progress would have been more limited and the barriers to inclusion would remain in place. 

Leadership Solutions Pacific Evaluation Report, 2020

2020 Leadership Strategies Pacific Evaluation Summary

2020 Leadership Strategies Pacific Evaluation Report

Universalia DRF/DRAF Learning Evaluation, 2015

In 2015, a learning evaluation was focused on engagement in five countries from April 2012 to September 2014. The process consulted 149 individuals and included three field missions and an extensive desk review.

DRF/DRAF’s comparative advantage is its ability to support representative organizations of persons with disabilities (OPDs) – the majority of which are small and grassroots. These organizations constitute the main social force fighting for the rights of persons with disabilities. 

– Universalia DRF Evaluation Report, 2015

2015 DRF Universalia Learning Evaluation Highlights 

2015 DRF Universalia Learning Evaluation 

· Universalia DRF/DRAF Evaluation, 2013

In 2012, the organization’s first evaluation applied traditional evaluation criteria, such as relevance, efficiency, and effectiveness, as well as more nuanced areas of DRF’s strategy, such as advocacy and movement building. The evaluation was participatory, consulting ninety individual stakeholders, and covered DRF’s engagement from January 2008 to March 2012 in five countries.

In less than four years, DRF has become a recognized donor for disability rights and has proven to be relevant in contributing to the achievement of results for the benefit of persons with disabilities.

– Universalia DRF Evaluation Report, 2013

2013 DRF Universalia Evaluation Summary

2013 DRF/DRAF Universalia Evaluation Report