Disability support

Small Gifts, Big Changes

Empowering Every Child Through Education

Shelter for Vulnerable Populations

VAO advocates for the rights of persons with disabilities (PWDs) and works to address the cultural and societal barriers that limit their access to education, healthcare, employment, and social participation. We are committed to promoting a holistic approach to disability inclusion that tackles stigma and discrimination while empowering individuals with disabilities to claim their rights and become active contributors to their communities.

The Issue of Stigma and Exclusion

Before the promulgation of the Persons with Disability Act (Law/Act 715 of 2006), PWDs in Ghana faced significant challenges due to cultural beliefs that viewed disability as a form of witchcraft, bad luck, or demonic possession. These perceptions have led to the exclusion of people with disabilities from essential services and societal participation, including:

Limited access to basic needs such as food, clothing, and shelter.
Barriers to education, where children with disabilities are often kept in isolation and denied the right to attend school.
Discrimination in the workplace and limited opportunities for career advancement or social involvement, even for individuals with high academic qualifications.
Cultural practices where children with disabilities were sometimes killed shortly after birth or adults with disabilities were excluded from social gatherings.

Core Programs Under Disability Rights and Empowerment

Our Disability Rights and Empowerment Program is centered around four key areas: education, empowerment, advocacy, and community sensitization. These programs are designed to equip individuals with disabilities and their communities with the knowledge and resources to ensure full participation and access to opportunities.