TERMS OF REFERENCE (ToR) DISABILITY INCLUSION SURVEY IN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS IN SELECTED COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE THREE SENATORIAL DISTRICTS OF RIVERS STATE 1.1 About TAF Africa TAF Africa is an independent, non-governmental, and not-for-profit organization originally established to promote health, socio-economic rights, well-being, and empowerment of persons with albinism. Over time, TAF Africa has evolved into a leading disability rights organization advocating for the recognition, protection, and promotion of the rights of persons with disabilities (PWDs) and other vulnerable groups in Nigeria. The organization actively contributes to legislative reforms, policy development, and advocacy initiatives that promote disability inclusion, mainstreaming, and effective participation of persons with disabilities in governance, development, and public life. 1.2 Project Background The Enhancing Disability-Inclusive Governance project, funded by the Disability Rights Fund (DRF) and implemented by TAF Africa in Rivers State, aims to strengthen disability-inclusive governance at the sub-national level in Rivers State, focusing on the education, health, and justice sectors. The intervention responds to the delayed domestication and operationalization of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018, and seeks to address systemic discrimination, stigma, exclusion, and limited access to essential services faced by persons with disabilities. The project aligns with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goals 4 (Quality Education), 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions). 2.1 Rationale for the Assignment Persons with disabilities in Nigeria face significant educational barriers, including inaccessible infrastructure, limited availability of trained inclusive education teachers, weak policy implementation, and poor data availability. These challenges are particularly pronounced in public schools and rural communities. Evidence-based data is therefore essential for: Informing advocacy and policy engagement Improving planning and budgeting processes Strengthening inclusive education programming Tracking progress toward inclusive governance This assignment aims to gather robust baseline data on disability inclusion in public and private schools across Rivers State’s three senatorial districts, capturing the experiences of students with disabilities, their parents/caregivers, teachers, school administrators, and relevant government officials. 2.2. Overview of the Assignment TAF Africa seeks to engage a qualified consultant or consulting firm to conduct a comprehensive Disability Inclusion Survey in selected public and private schools across Rivers State, covering three senatorial districts, with emphasis on urban and rural schools within the State Capital and surrounding communities. The assignment will involve: Mapping disability inclusion practices Assessing accessibility, learning outcomes, teaching capacity, and policy compliance Identifying systemic barriers and opportunities Generating evidence for advocacy, policy reform, and inclusive programming 2.3. Objectives of the Assignment This assignment aims to assess the level, quality, and effectiveness of disability inclusion in public and private schools across selected communities in Rivers State, to inform advocacy, policy reform, and inclusive governance interventions. Specifically, this survey is designed to: Assess physical, institutional, pedagogical, and attitudinal accessibility of schools for students with disabilities. Examine the availability and capacity of trained teachers and inclusive education resources. Evaluate policy awareness and implementation of disability-inclusive education standards. Document lived experiences of students with disabilities and their caregivers. Identify barriers, best practices, and opportunities for improving inclusive education systems. Develop actionable recommendations for government, civil society, donors, and education stakeholders. 2.4. Scope of Work In an effort to achieve the above objectives, the consultant shall undertake, but not be limited to, the following tasks: 2.5. Study Design and Methodology The consultant shall develop a comprehensive mixed-method research design incorporating: Quantitative surveys Qualitative interviews Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) Observation of school accessibility and attitudes 2.6. Geographical Coverage All three senatorial districts of Rivers State Minimum of 2 rural schools in each senatorial district and 2 urban schools within the State Capital 2.7. Target Groups Students with disabilities Parents/caregivers Teachers and school administrators Education ministry officials SUBEB officials School proprietors (private schools) 2.8. Key Questions, among others, to be considered by the consultant What is the current status of disability inclusion in schools across Rivers State? How accessible are school infrastructures and learning environments? What capacity gaps exist among teachers and school administrators? What institutional, cultural, and policy barriers limit inclusion? What interventions are required to strengthen inclusive education governance? 2.9. Data Collection The consultant is expected to develop and deploy ethically compliant data collection tools, train enumerators where necessary, and systematically administer surveys and interviews to ensure the collection of high-quality, reliable data. Throughout the process, apply inclusive approaches that actively engage individuals across diverse disability types (physical, visual, hearing, intellectual, psychosocial, and multiple disabilities) so that findings accurately reflect varied experiences and perspectives without bias. 3.1. Reporting and Dissemination Produce high-quality analytical reports Develop advocacy-oriented policy briefs Facilitate stakeholder reflection and validation workshops 3.2. Expected Outputs and Deliverables Output Description Inception Report Methodology, sampling plan, tools, workplan, ethical considerations Survey Instruments Final questionnaires, interview guides, observation checklists Clean Dataset Disaggregated and anonymized survey data Draft Report Analytical findings and recommendations Final Report Comprehensive research report Policy Brief Advocacy-focused summary for policymakers Stakeholder Reflection Workshop Validation and dissemination session 4.1. Use of Findings The findings will be used to: Inform advocacy and engagement with Rivers State Government Support legislative reforms and policy formulation Guide inclusive education programming Strengthen donor engagement Improve disability-inclusive budgeting in Rivers state 4.2. Institutional Arrangement The consultant shall: Work closely with the Senior M&E Officer under the direct supervision of the Programme Manager, DRF at TAF Africa. Submit all deliverables for review, validation, and approval through a joint meeting with the consultant and TAF Africa team. Participate in coordination and technical review meetings as required. 4.3. Duration of Assignment: 6 weeks 4.4. Reporting Timeline and Payment Schedule Output Timeline Payment Inception Report Within 2 weeks of contract signing 60% Final Report & Outputs Within 4 weeks after approval of the inception report 40% 5.1. Required Qualifications and Experience The lead Consultant should have at least 15 years of proven experience in disability research, governance, or inclusive development. s/he should possess a PhD or MSc in Social Sciences, Development Studies, Public Policy, Education,
With funding from the European Union through its support to democratic governance in Nigeria program, TAF Africa trained internally displaced persons in Adamawa, Benue, Bayelsa, and Kaduna states on the 2022 Framework for voting by Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), during a sensitization program.
The Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) at Angwan Zawu temporary camp located in Goni Gora, Chikun Local Government area of Kaduna State appealed to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deploy human and material resources to their camp to enable them to take part in the coming by-election and local government elections.
The Camp Coordinator, Mr. Caleb Nayaro lamented that less than a quarter of about 3,000 displaced persons scattered across five locations under his watch which included Buruku, Kakau, Toll Gate, Sabon Gida, and Buwaya were able to take part in the 2023 round of elections due to insecurity, ignorance among other reasons.
In his remarks, Abdu Bello, the IDP community leader in Adamawa state, represented by Sallau Isa, appreciated the organization for the sensitization and called on INEC to improve voter education, especially for those in the camps, adding that during the 2023 general elections at unit 001 in the community, about 400 votes were cast and over 100 were invalid.
He promised that other displaced persons would be enlightened on the knowledge received from the organization for them to fully participate in subsequent elections.
The Assistant Programme Manager, TAF Africa, Mr George Dominic Anwayi regretted that vulnerable people including the IDPs were excluded from the scheme of things across all tiers of government.
In his words, “Honestly, IDPs have been left behind in Nigeria. So, we need INEC to deploy its human and material resources to ensure they are properly registered and participate in all elections. We know that INEC also makes a case for IDPs to ensure they participate fully in elections, which they may not be aware of. They are supposed to be a part of the electoral process, and this is why we are here.
“We are also calling on the State Independent Electoral Commission (SIECOM) to ensure IDPs are carried along as well in terms of sensitization for them to know their voting rights especially to know the provision in the electoral act. IDP leaders have been trained on the available platform for IDPs to register and vote during elections with the expectation that they would replicate the same to their subject.
“We hope that you now understand that there is a provision for you to participate in elections and where you observe anything contrary to the provisions of the election guideline, you have the right to complain to INEC,” he charged the IDPs.
In Bayelsa state, the Chairman of Bakassi Returnees, Cameroon Camp, Mr.Richman Knight, its coordinator, Chief Osuobotoye Bedford, and Women leader, Beauty Toru, described the program as timely and apt.
Mr. Knight, Chief Bedford, and Mrs. Toru narrated their ordeal while performing their civic obligation and the discrimination they suffered. They appealed to INEC to site polling units in their camps to save time and cost of traveling to other communities to exercise their civic duty. The trio also appealed to the electoral umpire to establish voter registration centers in Internally Displaced Persons camps and host communities to ensure their full participation in the electoral process.
According to the TAF Africa’s program manager, Mr. Olayemi Samuel, the sensitization was premised on the need to increase the knowledge of IDPs on the new regulation and inform them that INEC is working on creating opportunities for IDPs to engage in decision-making processes at all levels. He encouraged the IDPs to get their permanent voter cards to enable them to exercise their franchise in the forthcoming gubernatorial election in the State.
