Who We Are
We are here not for income, but for outcome
Background Information
Introduction
People with disabilities in Puntland are among the most vulnerable groups in society. Many of them face limitations in accessing basic rights, services, and opportunities due to multiple barriers—social, economic, environmental, and institutional. While the Puntland government continues to make efforts, there are still limited programs specifically designed to support the livelihoods and wellbeing of persons with disabilities (PWDs).
The Puntland Disability Organizations Network (PDON) is a public-based representative body established on July 3, 2012. PDON was founded to amplify the voices, rights, and needs of persons with disabilities across Puntland. Membership is open to all organizations actively working on disability issues.
The Network brings together diverse disability-focused groups to unify their efforts and advocate collectively. PDON mobilizes government institutions, civil society, and community actors to promote, protect, and advance the human rights of persons with disabilities. Our approach centers on humanitarian protection, improving accessibility, and creating systematic and sustainable mechanisms that support the disability community.
Core Values, VISION and MISSION
VISION
A society where disability inclusion is fully mainstreamed into Somalia’s national development.
Mission
To promote positive and sustainable change through rights-based advocacy, empowerment, and service delivery for persons with disabilities across socio-cultural, economic, and political spheres.
Core Values
Respect: Promote nondiscrimination, inclusivity, dignity, and equal rights. Teamwork: Strengthen collaboration at local, national, regional, and international levels. Determination: Champion disability rights in all development and humanitarian programs. Results-Oriented: Maximize resources to achieve tangible benefits for persons with disabilities.
Why PDON
PDON works to promote an inclusive, barrier-free, and rights-based society for persons with disabilities in the region, guided by the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).
PDON’s work focuses on the following key areas:
Core Focus Areas
Strengthening the Regional Development Office to serve as a focal point for PDON national assemblies and the disability movement.
Establishing new self-help organizations and national assemblies of persons with disabilities.
Promoting and strengthening the network and movement of women with disabilities at regional and sub-regional levels.
Promoting the Independent Living (IL) concept and expanding the IL movement, including regional IL networks.
Advancing the barrier-free movement and ensuring accessibility in built environments.
Strengthening and promoting international and regional collaboration for disability inclusion.
Our Programs
Capacity Building / Training
Capacity Building / Training refers to structured learning and skills-development activities designed to strengthen the knowledge, systems, and performance of member disability organizations. It focuses on improving leadership, organizational management, project planning, proposal writing, financial accountability, advocacy, and service delivery.
Inclusive Education
Inclusive Education is an approach to learning where children and learners with disabilities study together with their peers in mainstream schools and classrooms, with equal access to quality education. It ensures that teaching methods, school environments, and learning materials are adapted to meet diverse needs so every student can participate, learn, and succeed.
Rehabilitation & Health Support (Physiotherapy)
Capacity Building / Training refers to structured learning and skills-development activities designed to strengthen the knowledge, systems, and performance of member disability organizations. It focuses on improving leadership, organizational management, project planning, proposal writing, financial accountability, advocacy, and service delivery.
OPD Networking Platform
An OPD (Organizations of Persons with Disabilities) Networking Platform is a structured space — physical, digital, or hybrid — where disability organizations connect, collaborate, and share knowledge. It enables OPDs to coordinate advocacy efforts, exchange best practices, build partnerships, and speak with a unified voice on disability rights and inclusion issues.