Ethiopian Center for Disability and Development - ECDD

24/03/2025

24/03/2025

A Practical Guide for Event Organizers 🧰🌱

Use the Zero Project experience, let's learn with and from each other!

Based on the Zero Project Team's experience organising the Zero Project Conference, we have put together this practical guide for event organizers to create inclusive events where everyone can fully participate.

No event will ever be 100% accessible but with this guide there is practical advice for practical decisions—not final or one-size-fits-all solutions, nor a scientific approach to conference accessibility. It does not offer perfection, but rather realistic and actionable insights. One key takeaway from the guide: involve local DPOs early and engage directly with participants.

Practical advice and direct feedback from participants lead to more realistic, effective, and cost-efficient solutions while avoiding last-minute challenges.

📥 Download the accessible PDF at https://zeroproject.org/tools/conference-accessibility and explore ways to make your event more inclusive!

09/09/2024

I-LEAD project of ECDD effectively completed and submitted ramps, walkway, and accessible toilets (for male and female) facilities at Dilla Polytechnic College on 31 August 2024, to make the college more inclusive for youths with disabilities.
During the handover event, ECDD Executive Director, Dr. Getahun Semeon, the representatives of Dilla Polytechnic College, and Organization of persons with disabilities of Dilla town proudly announced that the successful completion of the crucial infrastructure focused project aimed at enhancing more inclusive environment for youths with disabilities at the TVET college.
The project funded by the Italian Agency for Cooperation and Development ( ) aims to contribute the enhancement and strengthening of quality, equitable and inclusive education with in the project implementation period from 2022-2025.

09/09/2024

Happy Ethiopian New Year 2017

21/11/2023

On November 17, 2023, ECDD and ‘Bahir Dar University’ signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the university’s 'Tibeb Building Hall' to implement a project named EMPOWER that will work on disability inclusion and accessible educational services for students with disabilities. With the financial support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Finland and the National Union of University Students in Finland ( ), project will be implemented at the university for the next 48 months.

10/11/2023

Kefyalew Ketema is a graduate in Governance and Development Studies. He has been looking for a job for more than a year, but as Kefyalew explained, organizations tend not to hire persons with disabilities because they mistrust their abilities.

The USAID - US Agency for International Development PRIDE project initiated an internship program for graduates with disabilities to gain hands-on organizational experience. It also creates awareness about perceptions of the persons with different abilities.

With USAID support, Kefyalew is now attending a three-month internship program at the Mayor’s office in Holeta. He practiced “Governance and Developmental studies” to show his capability.

“The internship provided me with hands-on experience. I have a full picture of the duties and responsibilities of being a professional in governance and developmental studies. Now I know how to find a job and am looking for work,” said Kefyalew.

17/10/2023

On October 13, 2023, ECDD and ‘Wolaita S**o University’ signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the university’s main campus to implement a project named EMPOWER that will work on disability inclusion and accessible educational services for students with disabilities. With the financial support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Finland and the National Union of University Students in Finland ( ), project will be implemented at the university for the next 48 months.

03/10/2023

95 Persons with Disabilities graduated from ‘Jigjiga’ Polytechnic College( ) and two Community-Based Training (CBT) Centers in ‘Kebribeyah’ towns.
The Executive Director of ECDD, Dr. Getahun Semeon, welcomed participants and invited guests and congratulated the graduates. The Graduation ceremony was honored by the representatives of International Labour Organizations ( ) in Ethiopia.
Graduates were trained in metalwork, woodwork, garment and beautification for two and three months depend on the field of the training. The training aimed to equip trainees with the essential soft-skills necessary to secure acquired valuable knowledge and abilities to ensure they are job-ready.
ENHANCE project will continue to provide startup kits and technical support for the graduates in income generating activities that gradually enables them to be self-employed.
The Graduation ceremony was held at ‘Jigjiga Polytechnic College’ ( ) on September 21, 2023. ECDD-ENHANCE project has been funded by the since 2022.

22/09/2023

https://x.com/IloProspects/status/1705136789072069043?t=vQrLQtPN7UDBCZV5EV4LPQ&s=08

🎓It’s a Graduation Day in 🇪🇹 Congratulations to 9⃣ 5⃣ Persons with disabilities from forcibly displaced & host communities in the Somali region on completing their skills certification programmes in 🪓Woodwork 🥽Metal Fabrication 🥻Tailoring 💆‍♀️Beauty Salon Ma...

11/09/2023

Happy Ethiopian New Year 2016!

05/09/2023

The ENHANCE project of ECDD activities in Jigjiga City.