Background
In December 2022, the WHO Global report on health equity for persons with disabilities was published. This report came at the direct request of Member States through WHA Resolution 74.8 on The highest attainable standard of health for persons with disabilities. This resolution requested WHO to produce a report on the highest attainable standard of health for persons with disabilities, which included updated WHO global estimates on disability prevalence, as well as recommendations for strengthening health systems to better include persons with disabilities. The Global report outlines a range of actions that Member States can take to address health inequities, building on the existing health system strengthening approach of primary health care. To support the recommendations of the Global report, WHO developed a Disability Guide for Action to assist Member States in developing disability-sensitive and inclusive approaches in accessing quality health services, protection during health emergencies, and cross-sectoral public health interventions.
The World Health Organization is working to support Member States to reform health systems so they do not discriminate on the basis of disability, and that persons with disabilities receive the same quality and range of health services as others. This requires engagement of local health and disability actors to support ministries of health to understand and act on the factors that limit good health outcomes for persons with disabilities. Given their leadership role, having Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) at international, regional and national levels that understand the key issues related to health equity, and what’s needed to create inclusive health systems is essential.
Purpose
The aim of this work is to provide support to WHO in building the capacity and leadership of organizations of persons with disabilities (OPDs) on health equity.
Objectives and activities
Objective 1: OPDs are equipped to understand and advocate on health equity for persons with disabilities.
Activities: (1) develop information materials tailored to OPDs on health equity for persons with disabilities including tools that can be used at the grass roots level; (2) coordinate and deliver at least 15 webinars on health equity, targeting organizations of persons with disabilities; delivered across all 6 WHO regions, ensuring accessibility.
Objective 2: Experiences related to health equity for persons with disabilities are better known.
Activities: (3) collect at least 10 case studies (testimony including video and photos) from persons with disabilities, across all six WHO regions, considering gender, ethnic, cultural, and other diversity; (4) disseminate key information on health equity for persons with disabilities through key fora.
Eligibility criteria
Minimum criteria of the work or vendor:
(1)Vendor must be an Organization of Persons with Disabilities (OPD) working at the international level.
(2) Vendor must have access across its network, to a number of other OPDs, which represent both impairment-based organizations, and regional organizations, at global and regional levels.
(3) Vendor must have first-hand experience on working on health equity for persons with disabilities.
(4) Vendor must have experience and capacity for coordinating webinar activities including captioning and international sign-language (at least).
(5) Vendor must have experience creating advocacy messages tailored for OPDs.
Preferable experience of the vendor:
(1) Experience working with WHO at the International level on health equity for persons with disabilities.
(2) Experience supporting Organizations of Persons with Disabilities on health equity for persons with disabilities.
(3) Experience supporting the activities of Organizations of Persons with Disabilities at global, regional and national level on advocacy issues.
Timeline
- Activity 1 – August 2025
- Activity 2, 3 and 4 – September 2025 to December 2025
Proposal requirements
The proposal submitted in response to this CFP should include:
- Statement of interest and relevant experience, including examples.
- Detailed timeline for the proposed project and number of days required for each activity.
- Cost proposal.
Submission of proposals
Prospective vendors are invited to submit a proposal in response to this CFP to the email disability@who.int.