Bridge Alumni Reference Group DSi is supporting self-advocates with intellectual disabilities to improve Bridge training - a program that helps advocates speak up for the rights of people with disabilities. What is Bridge? Bridge CRPD-SDG is a training program that helps organisations of people with disabilities (DPOs) and disability rights advocates learn about the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and how to advocate for the rights of people with disabilities. The program is designed to help DPOs participate fully and effectively in all aspects of development, including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Bridge training initiative was built by the International Disability Alliance (IDA) and the International Disability and Development Consortium (IDDC). Down Syndrome International (DSi) and Inclusion International (II) were part of the design and review team. What is the issue? The Bridge training has developed rapidly since 2015. The teams believed that a review was needed to identify areas for improvement and to ensure that all participants with intellectual disabilities can participate as effectively as possible. What we have done. We followed the methodology outlined in the Listen Include Respect guidelines for consultations to ensure that people with intellectual disabilities led the process from the start. We formed an Alumni Reference Group of self-advocates and their supporters who had participated in Bridge CRPD-SDGs training. This group led the review of the training and will develop recommendations and an action plan to strengthen participation. We worked with the Alumni Reference Group to provide training on the Listen Include Respect guidelines to IDA's core Bridge team. We also worked together to design an accessible survey to learn from other Bridge alumni about their experience of the training. The survey results were reviewed at an in-person workshop in Kenya. At the workshop, Bridge alumni with intellectual disabilities and their supporters discussed recommendations for improvements to the Bridge CRPD-SDGs training. Also at the workshop, we launched a new network for Bridge alumni with intellectual disabilities. This network provides a forum for Bridge alumni with intellectual disabilities to share updates and support each other with advocacy work. Since the workshop, we have completed our recommendation report. This outlines how to make the Bridge training more accessible for people with intellectual disabilities and Down syndrome. Here are some photos from the workshop: What is next? Now we will support the International Disability Alliance to make changes to the training, based on the recommendation report. Finally, we will work with the Alumni Reference Group to develop a recommendation report on improvements needed to strengthen the participation of people with intellectual disabilities in Bridge CRPD-SDGs Training modules 1 & 2. Thank you! We would like to thank everyone who has helped with the review process, including those who attended our workshop in Kenya in December 2023. If you like what you have seen, why not sign up to join our network? Learn - find out what needs to change in the world so that all people with Down syndrome are fully included in society. Inform - tell us what life is like for people with Down syndrome where you live. Advocate - speak up for people with Down syndrome and disabilities. SIGN-UP Manage Cookie Preferences