On 9 July 2026, representatives of …IZ KRUG – VOJVODINA, Organization Supporting Women with Disabilities had the opportunity to participate in the webinar introducing the Global OPD Map—a new international platform designed to strengthen the visibility and connections of Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) around the world.
Developed by the Global Disability Innovation Hub as part of the AT2030 program, the Global OPD Map is much more than an online directory. It is an ambitious initiative that aims to make disability-led organizations easier to find, connect, and collaborate with. Today, the platform already includes more than 2,000 organizations from across the globe and continues to grow.
For many organizations of persons with disabilities, visibility remains a significant challenge. Limited financial resources, insufficient communication capacity, language barriers and unequal access to technology often mean that valuable local expertise remains invisible beyond national borders. As a result, potential partners, donors, researchers and even other disability organizations may never discover the important work that is already taking place.
The Global OPD Map seeks to change this reality. By providing a searchable, publicly accessible platform where organizations can present themselves and manage their own profiles, the initiative creates new opportunities for networking, partnerships and international cooperation. The long-term vision extends beyond mapping organizations—it is to become a knowledge hub where disability-led organizations can share news, resources, good practices and experiences.
One of the strongest messages of the webinar was that connection is not simply beneficial—it is essential.
During the panel discussion, speakers from disability organizations and international agencies emphasized that organizations become stronger when they work together. Coalition-building increases visibility, amplifies advocacy efforts and opens new opportunities for fundraising and collaboration, particularly at a time when many organizations worldwide are facing shrinking funding opportunities.
Another important perspective came from organizations working in humanitarian settings. Building relationships before disasters occur makes emergency responses faster, more inclusive and more effective. Trust cannot be created overnight during a crisis; it grows through continuous cooperation and mutual understanding. Platforms such as the Global OPD Map make these connections possible long before they become urgently needed.
The discussion also highlighted an issue that extends well beyond emergency response. Representatives of international organizations acknowledged that OPDs are still too often consulted rather than treated as equal partners. While disability inclusion has become more visible in international policies, genuine partnership requires more than consultation. It demands changes in institutional culture, recognition of the expertise that comes from lived experience, and relationships based on trust and mutual respect.
Perhaps the most inspiring part of the webinar was the shared understanding that accessibility is only one part of inclusion. Physical and digital accessibility are essential, but meaningful participation also requires openness, curiosity and a willingness to learn from one another. Creating spaces where persons with disabilities can genuinely influence decisions is just as important as ensuring they can enter the room.
We are particularly pleased that …IZ KRUG – VOJVODINA, Organization Supporting Women with Disabilities, is now included on the Global OPD Map. Becoming part of this growing international network increases our visibility and creates new opportunities to exchange knowledge, develop partnerships and contribute to the global disability rights movement.
For organizations working to advance the rights of persons with disabilities, international cooperation has never been more important. Challenges such as discrimination, inaccessible services, violence against women with disabilities, climate change, humanitarian crises and shrinking civic space do not stop at national borders. Neither should our solidarity.
The Global OPD Map reminds us that every organization, regardless of its size, has valuable knowledge and experience to contribute. By making these organizations more visible and better connected, the platform helps strengthen a global movement built on the principles of participation, equality and the commitment to ensure that nothing about us is decided without us.
