In a landmark move aimed at reshaping how disability is portrayed across media landscapes, the Centre for Disability and Inclusion Africa has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Global Alliance for Disability in Media and Entertainment.
The strategic collaboration is designed to drive a shift in storytelling by amplifying authentic voices and promoting inclusive representation of persons with disabilities across Africa and beyond.
The organizations stated that the partnership will signal a departure from long-standing narratives that frame disability through pity, charity, or stereotypes. Instead, it will advance a more accurate, empowering, and human-centred portrayal grounded in dignity, rights, and lived experiences.
The initiative comes at a time when global conversations around diversity, equity, and inclusion are gaining momentum, yet disability representation remains underreported and often misrepresented. By leveraging storytelling as a transformative tool, both organisations aim to strengthen a media ecosystem that recognises disability as an integral part of human diversity and reflects it with accuracy, respect, and depth.
Under the agreement, both organisations will co-create and distribute multimedia content that highlights the diverse realities, achievements, and perspectives of persons with disabilities. The collaboration will also support knowledge exchange among media professionals and facilitate the development of inclusive storytelling guidelines.
Speaking at the signing, the Executive Director of CDIA, Yinka Olaito, emphasised the urgency of reframing disability narratives.
“For too long, disability has been misrepresented in media spaces. This partnership is about reclaiming the narrative—ensuring that stories about persons with disabilities are not told for them, but with them, and most importantly, by them. Storytelling is power, and we are harnessing it to drive inclusion, equity, and social change,” Olaito said.
The Global Alliance for Disability in Media and Entertainment also reaffirmed its commitment, noting that media remains a powerful driver of public perception and policy influence. According to the alliance, the partnership “will challenge bias and inspire systemic change across global media and entertainment industries”.
A key focus of the collaboration includes the co-production and syndication of inclusive media content.
Beyond the partnership, the Centre for Disability and Inclusion Africa reaffirmed its commitment to training and mentoring journalists, filmmakers, and content creators, as well as advancing research and advocacy on disability representation. The organisation also pledged to continue amplifying the voices of persons with disabilities and influencing public discourse and policy.
The Centre for Disability and Inclusion Africa is a leading organisation promoting disability rights, inclusive development, and accessible digital ecosystems across Africa, while the Global Alliance for Disability in Media and Entertainment is an international coalition focused on improving disability representation across film, television, journalism, and digital media through advocacy and industry engagement.