NASCOH (National Association of Societies for the Care of the Handicapped) is the premier umbrella body for disability organizations in Zimbabwe. Founded in 1969, we have spent over five decades serving as the collective voice for disability rights. We operate as a Private Voluntary Organization (PVO), ensuring that the rights of persons with disabilities are a priority in national policy.

Our existence is rooted in the “Social Model of Disability,” which argues that people are disabled by barriers in society, not by their impairments. We exist to dismantle these structural, social, and economic barriers.

  • Respect: Honoring the inherent dignity of every individual.

  • Equity: Ensuring fair access to opportunities for all.

  • Unity: Standing together as a membership network across all borders.

  • Mutualism: Collaborative action for shared upliftment.

Accessibility is the prerequisite for inclusion. Without the ability to enter a building or navigate a website, a person with a disability is effectively excluded from society. NASCOH provides world-class auditing services to ensure that environments are welcoming to everyone.

Physical Infrastructure Audits

We move “beyond the ramp.” A standard ramp is often not enough to ensure true accessibility. Our physical audits are comprehensive evaluations of the “Built Environment” based on universal design principles.

  • The Entrance & Path of Travel: We assess the slope of ramps, the width of doorways, and the presence of tactile paving for those with visual impairments.

  • Ablution Facilities: We evaluate the height of grab bars, the clearance for wheelchair turning radiuses, and the accessibility of sinks and dryers.

  • Signage & Wayfinding: We ensure that signage is high-contrast, includes Braille where necessary, and is placed at a height that is visible to everyone.

  • Safety & Emergency Egress: We audit emergency exits to ensure that people with disabilities can evacuate a building as quickly and safely as their non-disabled peers.

Digital Accessibility Audits

In the 21st century, a website is a front door. NASCOH helps organizations ensure their digital presence meets WCAG 2.1 (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) standards.

  • Screen Reader Compatibility: We test whether your site is navigable for users of JAWS, NVDA, or VoiceOver.

  • Keyboard Navigation: We ensure that all features are accessible without the use of a mouse.

  • Color Contrast & Typography: We audit for visual clarity, ensuring that users with low vision or color blindness can perceive all information.

As an umbrella organization coordinating over 50 member societies, our role is to empower the empowerers. We provide training that transforms how organizations interact with the disability community.

Training for Member Organizations

We provide our 50+ members with the institutional tools they need to be sustainable. This includes:

  • Rights-Based Advocacy Training: Moving away from “pity-based” fundraising to “rights-based” lobbying.

  • Governance & Financial Management: Ensuring our members are compliant with PVO (Private Voluntary Organization) regulations.

  • Grant Writing & Resource Mobilization: Helping grassroots organizations secure the funding needed for local impact.

Disability Etiquette & Inclusion for Corporates

Many organizations want to be inclusive but don’t know how. Our corporate training modules include:

  • Inclusive Communication: How to interact respectfully with persons who have hearing, visual, or cognitive impairments.

  • Reasonable Accommodation: Teaching HR departments how to make small, cost-effective adjustments that allow employees with disabilities to thrive.

  • The Business Case for Inclusion: Demonstrating how inclusive hiring practices improve innovation and employee retention.

NASCOH is a leading advisor to the Zimbabwean government and international NGOs. We help institutions create “Living Documents” that ensure inclusion is a matter of policy, not just a matter of choice.

  • National Alignment: We ensure that organizational policies align with the National Disability Policy (2021) and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).

  • Custom Sector Policies: We develop tailored policies for the education, healthcare, and employment sectors, ensuring that the specific needs of persons with disabilities are addressed in every context.

  • Monitoring & Evaluation Frameworks: We don’t just write policies; we help you create metrics to measure their success over time.

Advocacy without data is just an opinion. NASCOH conducts the research that drives national change.

Evidence-Based Research

We conduct situational analyses and impact studies across all 10 provinces of Zimbabwe. This data is used to:

  • Inform government budget allocations for disability services.

  • Identify emerging challenges, such as the impact of climate change on persons with disabilities in rural areas.

  • Document the lived experiences of marginalized groups, including women and children with disabilities.

Advisory Services

We serve as a key advisory body to:

  • Government Ministries: Providing expert testimony and advice on disability-friendly legislation.

  • Private Developers: Advising on new infrastructure projects to ensure they are built accessibly from the ground up.

  • Event Organizers: Ensuring that national platforms, like the National Disability Expo 2025, are inclusive of all attendees.