The Public Policy & Collaborations vertical advances disability inclusion by translating field-based evidence into policies, partnerships and systemic action.
By combining APD’s on-ground experience with research, technology and multi-stakeholder collaboration, the vertical works with governments, academic institutions, industry, civil society and international organisations to strengthen inclusive governance and institutional accountability.
A key focus of the vertical is to ensure that lived experience and field evidence inform the way accessibility and disability inclusion are understood, planned and implemented.
Through initiatives such as Yes to Access, the vertical generates evidence, develops practical knowledge resources, informs policy dialogue and supports governments and institutions in embedding accessibility and disability inclusion into planning, implementation and decision-making.
The work also brings together stakeholders from government, academia, industry, civil society and other institutions to strengthen collective action around disability inclusion.
The aim is to move accessibility beyond a compliance-based approach and towards one that is measurable, data-driven and integrated into wider development and governance systems.
Yes to Access (YTA) is an initiative of The Association of People with Disability focused on promoting accessibility and inclusion in public spaces.
At the centre of the initiative is the Yes to Access mobile application, which enables accessibility checks of public facilities. By combining technology with community participation, the initiative generates evidence on accessibility and helps make barriers in the built environment more visible.
The information generated through Yes to Access supports awareness, planning, monitoring and dialogue around accessibility, while encouraging greater accountability for inclusive public spaces.
Together, the mobile application and Open Data Portal help move accessibility from isolated observations towards a more transparent, measurable and data-informed system of public accountability.
Explore Yes to Access →
Public Policy & Collaborations works to connect evidence, institutions and lived experience so that disability inclusion becomes part of everyday planning, governance and decision-making. Through partnerships, knowledge sharing and technology, APD continues to strengthen systems that are more responsive, accountable and inclusive.
