The Accessibility Organization for Afghan Disabled (AOAD) is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting accessibility, inclusion, and empowerment for individuals with disabilities in Afghanistan. Our mission is to create a more inclusive society where persons with disabilities have equal opportunities to participate actively in all aspects of life.
At AOAD, we strive to provide advocacy, resources, and support to enhance the quality of life for people with disabilities. Through our programs and initiatives, we work towards breaking down barriers to accessibility, promoting awareness, and fostering a culture of acceptance and understanding.
Our team consists of passionate individuals who are committed to driving positive change and making a difference in the lives of those with disabilities. Together, we aim to build a more accessible and inclusive Afghanistan where every individual, regardless of ability, can thrive and reach their full potential.
The Accessibility Organization for Afghan Disabled (AOAD) is headquartered in (Kabul, Afghanistan,) with a presence and outreach extending to various provinces across the country. Our central office serves as a hub for our operations, including advocacy, resource dissemination, and program coordination.
Additionally, AOAD operates through regional offices, such, Herat, Kandahar, Zabul, Paktika, Toorkham Nangarhar province and the community centers strategically located in key areas to ensure that individuals with disabilities have access to our services and support throughout Afghanistan. These decentralized locations enable us to reach a wider audience, engage with local communities, and provide tailored assistance to meet the diverse needs of people with disabilities across the nation.
Through our network of offices and outreach efforts, AOAD is actively working to improve accessibility, promote inclusion, and empower individuals with disabilities in Afghanistan. Our presence in multiple locations allows us to effectively address the unique challenges faced by different communities while fostering a more inclusive and supportive environment for all.
During the last week (November 9–14, 2024), the AOAD-Paktika Physical Rehabilitation Center provided services to a total of 89 disabled persons and war victims. This included 55 physiotherapy sessions for both males and females, delivery of 1 new prosthesis and 6 new orthoses to beneficiaries, repair of 4 prosthetics and 5 orthotic devices, 18 psychosocial counseling sessions for persons with disabilities and their immediate family members, distribution of 8 different types of assistive devices, and a disability rights awareness session conducted for 100 people. The beneficiaries expressed great satisfaction with receiving these services in their home province, noting that they feel more comfortable with the quality and accessibility of the support. As a result, their rehabilitation and independence in daily tasks have improved. Among the beneficiaries, Edak, a resident of Sarubai district who has a left below-knee amputation (BK-A), praised the quality of services provided by AOAD. He expressed gratitude for this significant project in their city and province, funded by PMWRA in Paktika Province.
During the last month, 1st September to 30 2024 AOAD- Paktika Physical Rehabilitation Center provided service to the Total of (417) Disabled Persons and War victims including (131) Physiotherapy for both males and females delivered (5) new prostheses, and (9) new orthoses to the beneficiaries, and also repaired (59) Prostatic and Orthotic devices, provided (75) psychosocial counseling session for the Persons with disabilities and their immediate family members, distributed (38) different types of assistive devices and conducted disability rights awareness for (100) Persons.
The beneficiaries were pleased to receive this kind of service in their home province and added that they felt more comfortable with the service. As a result, their rehabilitation and independence in their daily tasks have improved.
among the beneficiaries, Ajab Khan is a resident of Paktika Sarawza district, he has a Thoracic Kypotic problem, he praised the quality services of AOAD and is very happy about the importance of the project in their city and province, which is funded by (PMWRA) in Paktika Province.
Enhancing Beneficiaries’ Happiness through Comprehensive Physical Rehabilitation Services of AOAD in Paktika Province Incorporating comprehensive physical rehabilitation services into our care offerings significantly enhances the overall happiness and well-being of our beneficiaries. By focusing on physiotherapy, prosthetics, orthotics, and psychosocial services, we help individuals regain their physical capabilities, reduce pain, and improve their quality of life. They stand on their own feet and do not need help from others. This positive transformation not only boosts their physical health but also fosters a sense of accomplishment, independence, and emotional well-being, ultimately leading to a happier, more fulfilled life. The people are happy for this important project in their city and province, which is funded by PMWRA in Paktika Province.
Mr. Abdul Khaliq Zazai (AOAD Founder and Executive Director):
Mr. Zazai eloquently shared insights into the organization’s history and underscored the significance of this new project. His words resonated with hope and determination, emphasizing the transformative impact it would have on the lives of Afghans.
The Accessibility Organization for Afghan Disabled (AOAD) proudly inaugurated the Physical Rehabilitation Center in 12th district, a vital project aimed at serving victims of war and individuals with disabilities. This initiative, generously funded by UNWOMEN, brings together physical rehabilitation, psycho-social counseling, physiotherapy, and community mobilization under one roof.
The ceremony was graced by esteemed guests from NPA Country Director, UNMAS Country Director, Director of KOO, AAR Japan Country Director, NAC Representative, AOAD Ex-Senior Consultant, MATC Family Members both national and international NGOs.
During the ceremony, two pivotal figures addressed the audience, Mr. Abdul Khaliq Zazai (AOAD Founder and Executive Director) and Mr. Kamal Ahmad Iztirrab Deputy Director and Project Coordinator. As the ceremony unfolded, several distinguished guests took the stage to share their perspectives.
After the formal proceedings, guests toured the newly inaugurated Physical Rehabilitation Center. The positive reactions from our guests affirmed the project’s significance and left us all feeling hopeful for the future.
AOAD extends heartfelt gratitude to UNWOMEN for entrusting us with the implementation of the “Victims’ Assistance Through Physical Rehabilitation Center” in Sharak Amnyat. Together, we strive to create a more inclusive and resilient Afghanistan.
During the last week (Sep 7 till Sep -12- 2024) AOAD- Paktika Physical Rehabilitation Center provided service to the Total of (99) Disabled Persons and War victims which is counting (55) Physiotherapy for both male and female, delivered (1) new prostheses and (2) new orthoses to the beneficiaries, and also repaired (15) Prostatic and Orthotic devices, provided (14) psychosocial counseling session for the Persons with disabilities and their immediate family members, distributed (12) different types of assistive devices, the beneficiaries were very happy for receiving this kind of services in their home province and added that they feel more comfortable with the services. As a result, their rehabilitation and independence in their daily tasks have improved.
among the beneficiaries, Sidullah is a resident of Yahya Khil, he has (Left- BK-A) in left legs, he praised the quality services of AOAD and very happy for the important project in their city and province, which is funded by (PMWRA) in Paktika Province.
AOAD Director Abdul Khaliq Zazai and Deputy County Director Kamal Ahmad meet with NRC County Director and his head of program in Kabul on Sunday September 1, 2024.
Summary of Services (August 1 - August 31, 2024) Physiotherapy Services Total Sessions 124 For both male and female beneficiaries, 53 Prosthetic and Orthotic Services, 17 New Prosthetic and Orthotic Devices Delivered, and also provided (83) psychosocial counseling session for the Persons with disabilities and their immediate family members, Distributed 21 different types of Assistive Devices, Disability Rights Awareness, Participants for 160 persons, The high number of physiotherapy sessions indicates a strong demand for physical rehabilitation services among the PwD community in Paktika. This suggests that the center is effectively addressing mobility and physical health issues, Prosthetic and Orthotic Services The delivery of new prosthetic and orthotic devices, along with repairs, highlights the center’s role in improving the quality of life for PwDs by enabling better mobility and functionality, Psychosocial Counseling The provision of nearly 350 counseling sessions underscores the center’s commitment to addressing mental health and emotional well-being, which are critical components of comprehensive rehabilitation, The distribution of various assistive devices ensures that PwDs have access to necessary tools that aid in daily activities and promote independence, Conducting awareness sessions for 350 participants indicates efforts to educate the community about disability rights, fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for PwDs, Conclusion The AOAD-Paktika Physical Rehabilitation Center is providing a wide range of essential services that address both the physical and psychosocial needs of persons with disabilities. The comprehensive approach, device provision, repairs, counseling, and rights awareness, significantly contributes to the well-being and empowerment of PwDs in the region, the peoples says Continued support and funding of organizations like the PMWRA are crucial sustain and expand these vital services.
During the last week (17 till August -22- 2024) AOAD- Paktika Physical Rehabilitation Center provided service to the Total of (156) Disabled Persons and War victims which is counting (59) Physiotherapy for both male and female, delivered (1) new prostheses and (6) new orthoses to the beneficiaries, and also repaired (11) Prostatic and Orthotic devices, provided (38) psychosocial counseling session for the Persons with disabilities and their immediate family members, distributed (11) different types of assistive devices and conducted disability rights awareness for (30) Persons.
the beneficiaries were very happy for receiving this kind of services in their home province and added that they feel more comfortable with the services. As a result, their rehabilitation and independence in their daily tasks have improved.
among the beneficiaries, Abdul Manan is a resident of Paktika Urgon district, he has Drop Foot in his right leg, he praised the quality services of AOAD and very happy for the important project in their city and province, which is funded by (PMWRA) in Paktika Province.
During the last week (August 1-till 8) AOAD- Paktika Physical Rehabilitation Center provided service to a Total of (105) Disabled Persons and War victims which is counting (25) Physiotherapy for both male and female, delivered (4) new prostatic and new orthoses to the beneficiaries, and also repaired (8) Prostatic and Orthotic devices, provided 22) psychosocial counseling session for the Persons with disabilities and their immediate family members, distributed (3) different types of assistive devices and conducted disability rights awareness for (45) Persons among the beneficiaries, Sultan is a resident of Orgun district Paktika he had LBP after recovery he is very happy and praises the quality services of AOAD . This project is funded by Department of State, Bureau of political- Military Affairs, office of weapon Removal and Abatement (PMWRA) and Implemented by AOAD in Paktika Province.
During the last week (August 1-till 8) AOAD- Paktika Physical Rehabilitation Center provided service to the Total of (105) Disabled Persons and War victims which is counting (25) Physiotherapy for both male and female, delivered (4) new prostatic and new orthoses to the beneficiaries, and also repaired (8) Prostatic and Orthotic devices, provided 22) psychosocial counseling session for the Persons with disabilities and their immediate family members, distributed (3) different types of assistive devices and conducted disability rights awareness for (45) Persons among the beneficiaries, Sultan is a resident of Orgun district Paktika he had LBP after recovery he is very happy and praises the quality services of AOAD . This project is funded by Department of State, Bureau of political- Military Affairs, office of weapon Removal and Abatement (PMWRA) and Implemented by AOAD in Paktika Province.
During the last week (May 18, 2024) AOAD- Paktika Physical Rehabilitation Center provided service to a Total of (126) PwD which included (41) Physiotherapy for both males and females, delivered (1) new prostatic and (2) new orthoses to the beneficiaries, repaired (32) Prostatic and Orthotic devices, provided (43) psychosocial counseling session for the persons with disabilities and their immediate family members, distributed (5) different types of assistive devices and conducted disability rights awareness for (12) Persons of community. This project is funded by the Department of State, Bureau of Military Affairs, Office of Weapon Removal and Abatement (PMWRA) and Implemented by AOAD in Paktika-Sharanah.
During the last week (May 4 till May -9- 2024) AOAD- Paktika
Physical Rehabilitation Center provided service to the Total of (103) Disabled Persons
and War victims which counts (30) Physiotherapy for both males and females,
delivered (0) new prostatic and (1) new orthoses to the beneficiaries, and also repaired
(8) Prostatic and Orthotic devices, provided (32) psychosocial counseling sessions for
the Persons with disabilities and their immediate family members, distributed (2)
different types of assistive devices and conducted disability rights awareness for (30)
Persons.
the beneficiaries were very happy to receive this kind of service in their home
province and added that they feel more comfortable. As a result, their
rehabilitation and independence in their daily tasks have improved.
among the beneficiaries, Zainullah is a resident of Paktika Sharana, he has a Knee
Contracture in both legs, he praised the quality services of AOAD and was very happy about the important project in their city and province. Which is funded by (PMWRA) in Paktika
Province.
During the last week (May 4 till May -9- 2024) AOAD- Paktika
Physical Rehabilitation Center provided service to the Total of (103) Disabled Persons
and War victims which counts (30) Physiotherapy for both males and females,
delivered (0) new prostatic and (1) new orthoses to the beneficiaries, and also repaired
(8) Prostatic and Orthotic devices, provided (32) psychosocial counseling sessions for
the Persons with disabilities and their immediate family members, distributed (2)
different types of assistive devices and conducted disability rights awareness for (30)
Persons.
the beneficiaries were very happy to receive this kind of service in their home
province and added that they feel more comfortable. As a result, their
rehabilitation and independence in their daily tasks have improved.
among the beneficiaries, Zainullah is a resident of Paktika Sharana, he has a Knee
Contracture in both legs, he praised the quality services of AOAD and was very happy about the important project in their city and province. Which is funded by (PMWRA) in Paktika
Province.
DRC Head of Humanitarian Disarmament and Peacebuilding (HoHDP) in Afghanistan, Hannah Rose, met with AOAD Founder and Director, Abdul Khaliq Zazai, at the AOAD main office to discuss further collaborations and future partnership with (AOAD).
Accessibility Organization for Afghan Disabled (AOAD) conducted Community mobilization regarding the project activities of in-kind food package distribution in the Karukh and Zindajan districts of Herat Province for 10000 HHs. This project is funded by (AHF/OCHA).
The Accessibility Organization for Afghan Disabled has established a vocational training program in Male Mobile Repairing and General Electrician to empower Afghan Men with disabilities. This initiative aims to provide practical skills and opportunities for economic independence by teaching them the art of Mobile Repairing and General Electrician. The project is implemented in Arzan Qimat and Qala e Zaman Khan PD# 12 and 16 in Kabul and this project is funded by PM/WRA and implemented by AOAD.
AOAD conducts its board members meeting every 6 months and AOAD conducts its board members meeting for the year 2024 at Main Office Kabul, AOAD has achieved the result more than expected and planned during past years. As a result of extreme efforts and honesty, Today AOAD has 479 employees in different provinces of Afghanistan, AOAD has a strong commitment to improving and enhancing the quality of services in Physical Rehabilitation, Physical Accessibility, Health Section, inclusive Education, Vocational Training for Persons with Disabilities through Afghanistan.
NPA (Norwegian People's Aid) Country Director, Russel Thomas, met with AOAD Founder and Director, Abdul Khaliq Zazai, at the AOAD main office to discuss further collaborations in victim assistance and physical rehabilitation.
AOAD- Paktika Physical Rehabilitation Center provided service to the Total of (114) PwD which is counting 36 Physiotherapy for both male and female, delivered 2 new prosthesis and 2 new orthoses to the beneficiaries, repaired 5 Prostatic and Orthotic devices, provided 27 psychosocial counseling session for the persons with disabilities and their immediate family members, distributed 9 different types of assistive devices and conducted disability rights awareness for (33) Persons. This project is funded by the Department of State, Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, Office of Weapon Removal and Abatement (PMWRA) and Implemented by AOAD in Paktika-Sharanah.
I am happy to share and celebrate AOAD’s success, jointly, with our bilateral donors, national and International partners, communities and the people with disabilities, who brought visible changes and equalities differences in their lives and move onwards with great hope, zeal and enthusiasm towards a sustainable and enduring social and economic wellbeing and addressing their rights as leaders. Definitely AOAD’s 2020 was a small step towards national rehabilitation and development agenda, but stimulated big hope among our target communities for better future, which in turn reflect our programmatic efficiency and effectiveness during the decade.
Our passion has always been to see people living with disabilities are included in mainstream life, have full and equal rights, and everyone has the best opportunity for health, well-being, education, physical rehabilitation skill development and empowerment. During 2020 I had the honor to meet so many beneficiaries mostly persons with disabilities included in AOAD projects of Skill Training, Job-creation, Physical Rehabilitations, Foods distributions, Clothes distributions and community mobilization for self-help.
The Global Pandemic of COVID-19, was a hot-shock in the 2020, which imposed a national level catastrophe for Afghanistan resulting into lockdowns, road closers, increasing conflicts, and also shortage of the funding. But thanks to the International community and donor’s solidarity who continued their financial contributions for AOAD and thanks to AOAD’s front-liners who kept their work without any lockdown and reached to the needy people, particularly, in the hard-to-reach areas.
Taking this opportunity let me present my hearty thanks and gratitude to the committed and courageous AOAD staff who, throughout 2020, uninterruptedly continued the operations, despite countrywide lockdown and life-threatening risk of COVID-19. Let me wish you all to have a safe, healthy and successful 2021, with full peace and prosperity in Afghanistan and rest of the world.
Protection, Equal Rights, Dignity, Inclusion, and Prosperity for persons with disability
To promote dignity and quality of life of Persons with Disabilities through provision of capacity, facilities,
services, and access to mainstream livelihood, in a sustainable manner.
Strengthening Civil society organization working in disability to defend and fulfil the rights of people with mental and physical disabilities
To enable the children with disabilities (Boys and Girls) to have a freedom of access to education, understand their rights as functioning citizens of Afghanistan as no one living behind
To create and build national and local capacity and mechanism for the support and provision of disability and rehabilitation services in the emergency situation within or outside the general healthcare services in the Country to prevent avoidable long-term disability and facilitate on time physical rehabilitation for the war and manmade disaster victims in the targeted provinces.