Our data life cycle training: lessons and impact

Why we’re providing this training

Development Initiatives has been offering training on the data life cycle to organisations working on disability issues since 2020. This was made possible by the Inclusive Futures consortium, funded by UK aid. The project aims to engage persons with disabilities, government, employers, the private sector and all other key groups to ensure inclusion of persons with disabilities in socioeconomic activities.

Development Initiatives, as member of the Inclusive Futures consortium, offers its expertise on improving the production, sharing and use of evidence that can support the economic inclusion of persons with disabilities. It supports the consortium with data analysis, policy research and advice, data science, data governance and data communications.

What’s covered by our data training programme

The training consists of four modules:

1. Data gathering: the types, sources, collection and storage of data that can support the economic inclusion of persons with disabilities.
2. Data analysis: using excel and other common tools.
3. Data storage: protection, harmonisation and sharing.
4. Data visualisation: the compelling presentation of data for specific audiences.

The training (currently delivered online) usually runs across two days. To ensure each session is as interactive as possible, we keep attendance to between 25 and 30 participants, meaning we can focus on everyone taking part. Participants are taken through the sessions by analysts with more than 20 years’ experience in data science, who help participants get the most out of the training sessions. Each participant is sent pre-workshop materials, including handouts and practice exercises, to allow them to get a head start and ask for clarification. We invite and encourage participants to share any reasonable accommodation for the training and we strive to amend the training accordingly.

Lessons we’ve learnt from providing this training

We have understood the importance of using disability-sensitive language in our writing and speech. This goes a long way in promoting inclusion and reducing discrimination and stigma towards persons with disabilities.

So far, we have trained more than fifty participants from the Coalition for Action for Preventive Mental Health and the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection in Kenya, and subnational and national organisations of persons with disabilities (OPDs) in Uganda. We encourage OPDs to train staff that handle disability data daily, such as those involved in monitoring, evaluation and programming.

Some organisations need tailored training: there is a variety of training we can offer on data and analysis, relevant not only to OPDs but also to organisations, governments and academics who want to increase their understanding of data and analysis regarding the economic inclusion of persons with disabilities. Such training can be embedded in projects that are already running.

The impact of our training

Our training sessions provide cutting-edge data skills to persons with disabilities including the staff of OPDs.

We believe that participants who have taken part in the training, both in Uganda and Kenya, are equipped with data skills that they can use in their day-to-day work as part of promotion of evidence particularly on matters disability, and also transfer to their members and other OPDs.

From the testimonials we have received, we believe our training will have a broad impact, reaching not only to OPDs but also to other partners of the Inclusive Futures consortium.

What next?

We have received requests for training from partners of the Inclusive Futures consortium in Kenya and Uganda. As best practice evolves and adapts, so will the training.