What We Do
Our Impact.
Most systems and structures have barriers that hinder participation and leadership of persons with disabilities. Applied research, monitoring, and evaluation methods are no different. These traditional measurement systems tend to focus on the question: “What was our impact?”
At DRF, our inquiries start at a different point. We ask: “What are the questions and answers that matter to our grantees? What information will further the disability movement as a whole? These questions are grounded in the disability movement’s core call to action, “Nothing About Us Without Us.”
How We Learn
DRF applies a participatory, utilization-focused methods guided by feminist evaluation principles and a human-rights approach to research. By centering the values that drive the disability movement and DRF’s intersectional approach, our learning can be guided by the needs of our grantees and the wider disability movement.
Melanie Kawano-Chiu
Acting Chief of Learning and Growth“Privilege and access, at their core, are about the ability to make choices. As a participatory grantmaker, DRF gets to choose where it starts its MEAL practices. We intentionally shift this locus of power to persons with disabilities. This re-orientation is not a nice-to-have. It is the very foundation of the effectiveness of DRF and the relevance of our learning practices.”
What We Know
“ If not for some of the interventions from organizations of persons with disabilities, the negative effect of COVID-19 on persons with disabilities would have been more disastrous in Nigeria.”
DRF grantee's interview in 2019-2022 external evaluation
DRF’s Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Reports
Periodic independent external evaluations have allowed us to reflect on achievements, gaps, and opportunities and to change course, as needed. To date, five independent evaluations have shown how a participatory grantmaker has a critical role in furthering the rights of persons with disabilities.
1) Universalia DRF/DRAF Utilization-Focused and Feminist Principles Evaluation, 2023
In 2023, Universalia Management Group conducted an external evaluation using participatory, utilization-focused and feminist evaluation principles to examine the potential impact of DRF’s technical assistance and DRF’s contributions towards the diversification of disability movements, particularly around gender. The evaluation also aimed to identify DRF’s specific contributions to a sample of key advocacy achievements in advancing the rights of persons with disabilities. The effort also provided a baseline for ‘Holding Rights, Leading for Rights,’ a project funded by the United States Department of State Bureau of Democracy, Rights & Labor.
This evaluation identified enabling and hindering factors for successful OPD advocacy. These factors, ranging from the disability movement’s capacity, governments’ capacity, and prevailing cultural beliefs and social norms, are not within the control of any one actor. Instead, it is clear that lasting change for persons with disabilities requires change efforts on multiple fronts.
To read the evaluation highlights in a story of change, grounded in rigorous quantitative and qualitative data collection methods, explore these Spotlights below:
Learnings from Evaluation
Grantees reported the value of DRF’s technical assistance contributions, both at the individual and organizational levels. Grantees, including those representing persons with disabilities marginalized within the disability movement, gained confidence to fight for their rights, network with other actors, and participate in international forums and events. Their movement building would lead to successful advocacy efforts, from passing disability rights acts to creating inclusive COVID-19 responses. In these three countries, they shared how they became partners of national and local government officials and other key players in the development of disability-inclusive development agendas. The evaluation also found that advocacy achievements became a platform and a positive precedent for future inclusive initiatives and policies.
2) BLE Solutions DRF/DRAF Participatory 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
3) 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.
4) 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
5) Universalia DRF/DRAF Initial OECD-DAC Criteria 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