Expanding our reach

Disability Support International (DSI) works to form strong partnerships with local organizations and provide sustainable training models for educators teaching students with disabilities. DSI initially focused on cultivating an effective training model in Cambodia, and we are now ready to expand our scope and provide support for teachers in multiple countries.

What is the expanded training program?

Our new initiative is built on the success of our in-person training and takes advantage of the accessibility and flexibility that online learning provides. While we recognize the value of in-person training, our new training options have the potential to expand our partnerships and reach even more educators through online materials and virtual coaching sessions.

DSI will continue to focus on understanding the needs of our partner organizations, ensuring culturally relevant, community-driven, and practical solutions. The goal is not just to teach, but to collaborate, building a learning environment rooted in dignity, respect, and local leadership.

This new program is designed to help local disability leaders and teachers provide the inclusive opportunities that empower children with disabilities to reach their full potential. The DSI training program includes online access to:

• Downloadable training materials, training videos, and key awareness-raising and strategy implementation resources

• Live remote coaching sessions with DSI trainers to answer questions and collaborate

• Certificates for all trainees upon completion.

Why is DSI doing this and why now?

DSI's vision has always been to extend our reach, sharing the programming we develop with more partners. Throughout our recent initial “soft launch” phase, we received overwhelming interest. In fact, about 20% of fitting organizations currently listed on our Global Disability Directory are expressing interest. The need is urgent, and the demand is clear:

"We NEED this!! When you contacted me, I said wow!... I’m so happy and hopeful… I think it could really help us!" - Disability leader focused on children with Down Syndrome in Uganda

"Wow, this has me stoked already!" shared a leader from Nigeria, who explained that intellectual disabilities have been especially neglected and local trainers urgently need tools to raise awareness and train others.

“I want to propose this to the Ministry,” a government officer from Botswana told us. “Most of the teachers and education officers are blank... they don’t have enough information.”

DSI is a small organization with a big goal: to equip and empower local changemakers who are on the frontlines of combating exclusion and inequality, often without any support or critically-needed resources. And we know that in times of change, the most vulnerable populations are the ones affected most, neglected first, and recover slowest.

We’d love to show up in person for every single request, but we also know that the world’s most vulnerable children can’t wait. This innovative, online model is our way of saying, Yes—we’re here, we hear you, and we’re ready to help.

How you can help

All of the organizations DSI partners with are located in developing countries with limited resources and scarce funding support for disability inclusion. We rely on the generous support of our donors to help us provide training at a cost that the organization can afford while we continue to work to sustain and grow DSI’s reach.

Here’s what your donation can do:

• $10 provides transportation and data for a trainee to attend and access training

• $25 funds printed materials and a toolkit for a teacher

• $40 sponsors full training access and support for one educator

• $500 enables a full team of teachers at one school to complete the program

• $1,000 provides training access and support for a NEW partner organization working to build inclusive education in their country

We also welcome volunteers, participants in our upcoming DSI Triathlon & Inclusive 4k event, and your help spreading the word on social media and in your offline networks too. There are many little ways that we can change the world for good.

Are you an organization interested in partnering with DSI's training program? Learn more and let us know.