• Welcome to Rwanda Organization of Persons with deaf Blindness

Empowering Deaf-Blind
Individuals

Advocates for persons with Deaf-Blindness in Rwanda,
empowering these individuals, ensuring their rights, dignity, and active participation in society.
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Addressing Dual
Disabilities

Focus on those facing the dual challenge of Deafness and Blindness.
They were often hidden and lacked communication due to the rarity of their condition
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Striving for Inclusion

The organization identifies and supports 350 Deaf-Blind individuals across working districts.
They work toward inclusive education, health services, and socio-economic development.
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About ROPDB

Deaf-blindness in Rwanda started in 2011 as a project from the coalition of three organizations of persons with disabilities (Rwanda Union of the Blind (RUB), Rwanda National Union of the Deaf (RNUD) and Rwanda National Association of Deaf Women (RNADW)) they came across the county in their work and find persons with the dual disability of Deafness and Blindness that led to the hard difficulties to serve them. Persons with Deafblindness were usually hidden and had no possibility to communicate since Deafblindness is a rare disability, they live far from each other and scattered in the country so few persons have any idea on how to deal with their concerns.
In 2018, the Rwanda Organization of Persons with deaf Blindness (ROPDB) was established as a national organization to strengthen the voices of its members and set its leadership, January 2022 the Organization was granted by Rwanda Governance Board (RGB) a Legal Personality to work in the country conformity with Rwandan Law and has a registration number (N° 809/RGB/NGO/LP/01/2022), it has the mission of empowering persons with Deaf-Blindness to become agents of change, demand their rights, and affirm their dignity as human beings through Advocacy and empowerment of them towards a stronger community.
It is strongly experienced to advocate for them in the areas of Education, Health and rehabilitation services, socio-economic development, livelihood, Empowerment, communication using sign language and other communication of persons with Deaf-Blindness and Justice. Currently, the Organization had identified 350 persons with Deaf-Blindness in 4/30 working districts where 60% are children aged in school but not in school and 40% are Adults.
The organization is affiliated with the National Union of Disability Organizations in Rwanda (NUDOR), The Umbrella of the Organizations of Persons with disabilities in fights against HIV&AIDS and for Health Promotion (UPHLS), the African Federation of the Deaf-Blind (AFDB), Deaf-Blind International (DBI) and the World Federation of the Deaf-Blind (WFDB).

Core Values

We are proud of our organisations’ heritage and our family. This is borne out of our values, which are at the heart of what we do and how we work for a better future. Collectively we strive to ensure our day-to-day work and behaviours reflect these values.
  • Deaf blind Self-Determination
    Every deaf blind person in Rwanda is able to choose and participate in their fields of interest. Leadership opportunities have no barriers to inclusion, and confidence is raised. The critical nature of access to information for informed decision-making is understood and supported. All persons with Deaf blindnesshave a place in the principles of the UNCRPD (United Nations Convention on the Right of Persons with Disabilities) and Sustainable Development Goals.
  • Innovation
    We seek out new ideas to guide the development of services and change. We value our bespoke, creative and flexible approaches. We aim to inspire.
  • Responsive
    We take pride in listening to individual’s views and always strive to do ourvery best.
  • Empathy
    We champion the wellbeing of individuals and treat everyone withkindness. Respect and dignity are the cornerstones of our behaviour.
  • Integrity
    We are committed to working honestly, openly and with respect. We believe in consistently doing the right thing with fairness and equality.
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Our Partners