Who We Are
Mission Statement
To advocate for the creation of a Society where all persons with disabilities enjoy equal opportunities.
Vision Statement
NCDPZ envisions a Zimbabwean society where all people are treated with equality, dignity and respect for their expressed choices, and who have equal opportunities to participate in a society where abilities, rather than disabilities, are recognized.
Historical Background
The National Council of Disabled Persons of Zimbabwe (NCDPZ) is a cross disability mass membership organization of persons (women, men, youth and children) with disabilities registered under the Private Voluntary Organization Act of Zimbabwe under registration number W.O 16/75. Its primary objective is to ensure disability inclusion and self-representation in all facets of development. It was formed by persons with disabilities and formally registered in 1975.The formation of the organization was in response to and furtherance of the persistent campaigning and lobbing by persons with disabilities to be included as equal partners in life and work of the mainstream society. NCDPZ philosophy is that the rights of persons with disabilities are best promoted by persons with disabilities themselves and that they have a right to represent their own interest and concerns in all spheres. Currently there are 85 branches throughout the 10 provinces of Zimbabwe. Branches are found both in urban centres with the majority in rural areas. NCDPZ commands the largest number of constituency-based membership (persons with disabilities) and is the first Organization of Persons with Disabilities (ODP) to be formed and remains the largest DPO in Zimbabwe in terms of the membership base and outreach to constituencies.
Main Objectives of NCDPZ
a) to promote full integration into the Zimbabwean Society and equal access to programmes and services for all persons with disabilities.
b) to promote active participation by persons with disabilities in all stages of decision-making processes including Elections.
c) to promote development efforts and self-help projects among persons with disabilities.
d) to evaluate, recommend and monitor legislation affecting persons with disabilities in Zimbabwe.
e) to monitor and make recommendations concerning the quality of programming and services for persons with disabilities in Zimbabwe.
Governance
NCDPZ has a policy making body, referred to as the National Executive Committee (NEC) which is comprised of 12 members democratically elected in accordance with the Constitution of the organization. The composition of the NEC is made in respect of Gender, geographic spread (National Outlook) and individual’s capacity to drive the organization towards fulfilling its mandate. The NEC meets once every quarter while the Management Sub Committee meets more regularly as and when need arises. Policy implementation and management function is executed by a team of Secretariat employed and supervised by the NEC through the Management Sub Committee. At constituency level each branch has its own Branch Executive Committee that runs the affairs of the branch on a day to day basis (as provided for in Section 16 sub section {a} to {k} of NCDPZ Constitution) while reporting to the National Executive Committee.
Target Group
NCDPZ carries out its development/outreach work with a special focus on 7 thematic areas namely;
- Sexual Reproductive Health
- Livelihoods
- Water and Sanitation
- Disaster Management (Emergency Preparedness Response)
- Education and Training
- Nutrition
- Human Rights and Civic Education
NCDPZ work targets persons with disabilities (women, men children and youth) in both urban and rural settings throughout all provinces of Zimbabwe. Other stakeholders that NCDPZ works with include:
- Government through interaction with various government agencies and ministries,
- None state actors (Civil society organizations and service providers)
- Private sector
- Traditional Leaders
- Political leaders
- Families of persons with disabilities