Launching USAID’s Evaluation Guide on Measuring Disability-Inclusive Education and the revised How-to Note on Disability Data

Group Submission Type: Workshop

Description of Session

Purpose of the Workshop:
The proposed workshop aims to launch and provide hands-on training on USAID’s newly developed Evaluation Guide on Measuring Disability-Inclusive Education and its revised How-to Note on Disability Data. These tools are designed to assist USAID staff and implementing partners in generating evidence and utilizing data to monitor and evaluate disability inclusion across the education continuum. These tools provide critical guidance in advancing the implementation and measurement of disability-inclusive practices in educational settings toassess the effectiveness of interventions aimed at improving the experiences of, and outcomes for, learners with disabilities. Focusing on the context of implementing donor-funded activities, the workshop will highlight how monitoring and evaluation can support the advancement of education for learners with disabilities in digital societies. The workshop will integrate applied examples of current disability inclusive education activities supported by IDP and principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) to ensure that workshop activities are relatable, accessible, and inclusive for all attendees.

Learning Objectives:
1. Understanding the Tools: Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of the tools’ purpose, structure, and key content, including the conceptual framework of disability inclusion and the twin-track approach.
2. Application of Concepts: Attendees will learn to apply the guides” methodologies to real-world scenarios, focusing on developing and implementing monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) plans incorporating disability-inclusive data and practices.
3. Interactive Learning: Through practical exercises, participants will engage in designing MEL systems that reflect stakeholder needs, track progress, and measure accessibility, attitudinal changes, and disability-inclusive outcomes in both formal and informal educational settings.
4. Collaboration and Networking: The workshop will foster collaboration among MEL professionals and education actors by providing a platform for sharing experiences and strategies for enhancing disability inclusion within projects.

Delivery Plan:
The workshop will be structured as follows:

1. Introduction and Overview (45 minutes):
The session will begin with an introduction to the workshop’s objectives and an overview of the USAID Evaluation Guide on Measuring Disability-Inclusive Education and How-to Note on Disability Data. Participants will be introduced to the tools and be provided with real-life scenarios from select USAID-funded activities.

2. Interactive Application Sessions (45 minutes):
Participants will be divided into small groups, each assigned a specific case study based on common educational scenarios where disability inclusion is critical (e.g., curriculum development, policy implementation, or workforce training). Through a guided process in which participants iteratively engage in their small group and with facilitators and the larger group, each group will use the tools to develop specific disability-inclusive indicators and identify disability data types, data collection methodologies, and evaluation strategies. Groups will then present their work in large groups or sub-groups, depending on workshop attendance. This will be followed by a discussion on the challenges and opportunities of applying methodologies across different educational contexts.

3. Discussion and Reflection Q&A (75 minutes):
In this session, participants will reflect on the key insights gained from the group activities. Facilitators will discuss how disability inclusion can be integrated into participants' ongoing or upcoming projects, focusing on adapting the frameworks to different cultural and educational settings. Discussions will also center on using digital resources to share data across contexts to advance disability-inclusive education initiatives. The workshop will conclude with a Q&A session, allowing participants to explore specific aspects of the guide.

This workshop will equip participants with the necessary skills and knowledge to enhance their professional practice by effectively measuring and promoting disability inclusion within educational projects. This aligns with USAID’s Disability Policy and global commitments like the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Sub Unit

• Book launches and Workshops / Workshop

Chair

• Rebecca Povec Pagel, Uwezo Uganda

Workshop Organizer

• Rebecca Povec Pagel, Uwezo Uganda

Presenter

• Rebecca Povec Pagel, Uwezo Uganda