The course equips development practitioners, WASH professionals, policymakers, and students with practical guidance on accessibility, inclusive design, and the social and legal dimensions of sanitation. Through concise online modules, interactive tasks, and real-world case studies, learners build the skills needed to recognise barriers faced by persons with disabilities and design sanitation solutions that are equitable, accessible, and contextually grounded.

Session 1: Understanding disability, its diversity, and models

• 1.1 About session 1
• 1.2 Understanding disability
• 1.3  Types of disabilities
• 1.4 Models of disability
• 1.5 Vignettes for understanding disability
• 1.6 Understanding gender and the intersection of disability and gender
• 1.7 Intersectionality and sanitation inequity
• 1.8 Why intersectionality matters for disability and gender in WASH
• 1.9 Inclusive WASH approaches for disability and gender intersection
• 1.10 Including transgender people in inclusive WASH
• 1.11 Inclusive WASH Approaches for Transgender People (especially those with disabilities)
• 1.12 Understanding lived experiences
• 1.13 Key takeaways

 

Session 2: Understanding disability and exclusion

• 2.1 About session 2
• 2.2 Understanding disability and exclusion
• 2.3 Need for better data on accessibility to understand exclusion
• 2.4 Structural Ableism in the Context of Safe Sanitation
• 2.5 Impacts on health and well-being of persons with disabilities owing to the lack of access to safe, inclusive and dignified WASH services and infrastructure
• 2.6 Key takeaways

 

Session 3: Legal and policy framework in India

• 3.1 About session 3
• 3.2 Legal and Policy Framework in India
• 3.3 United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD)
• 3.4 The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016
• 3.5 Sustainable Development Goals
• 3.6 Policy and program initiatives for inclusive WASH in India
• 3.7 Key takeaways

 

Session 4: Universal design

 

Observation &  reflection actions

Photo tour

Recommendations

Way forward

 

 

Prepare for the course

Ensure a stable internet connection and a quiet learning environment. Keep a notebook or digital tool handy for reflections and exercises.

 

Focus of the course 

• You will learn about creating accessible and equitable sanitation facilities and practices, including understanding disability and its various forms, identifying barriers faced by people with disabilities in accessing sanitation, and implementing strategies for inclusion in WASH programs.

 

• Emphasis is on the importance of meaningful participation of people with disabilities in planning and decision-making processes, as well as monitoring and evaluation of inclusive sanitation initiatives.

 

• The course includes practical examples and real-life experiences to facilitate learning and provide knowledge for implementation.