Who we are
A Legacy of Inclusion and Advocacy
The National Association of Societies for the Care of the Handicapped (NASCOH) stands as the premier umbrella body for organizations dedicated to and led by persons with disabilities in Zimbabwe. Founded in 1969, our organization has spent over 55 years serving as a centralized voice for the rights, interests, and needs of the disability community.
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NASCOH is officially registered as a Private Voluntary Organization (PVO). As a non-profit human rights organization, we bridge the gap between grassroots disability groups and national policy makers. We are headquartered in Harare but maintain a presence that extends across the borders of Zimbabwe, coordinating a vast network of more than 50 member organizations.
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Our mission is to promote and protect the rights of persons with disabilities through a well-coordinated and effective membership network. We believe in a society that is not only respectful of difference but actively accommodating of it.
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Our guiding light is a vision to be the leaders in the holistic empowerment of people with disabilities. We define holistic empowerment as the active and respectful participation of persons with disabilities in all life spheres—political, economic, social, and cultural.
55+
Years of Impact
Established in 1969, NASCOH holds over half a century of institutional memory and leadership in Zimbabwe's disability sector.
50+
Member Organizations
As a premier umbrella body, we coordinate and capacity-build more than 50 diverse organizations of and for persons with disabilities.
10/10
Provinces Covered
Our influence and membership network span all ten provinces of Zimbabwe, reaching both urban centers and remote rural communities.
4+
Strategic Mandates
We drive change through four core objectives: Lobbying for legislation, Capacity building for members, National research, and Information dissemination.
Strategy
Our Strategic Role and Mandate
NASCOH does not work in isolation; we act as a coordinator and advocate. Our primary objectives include: Advocacy and Lobbying: We work tirelessly to lobby for disability-friendly legislation and policies at the national level. Capacity Building: We provide training and support to our member organizations to ensure they are equipped to serve their communities effectively.Research: We conduct vital research on disability issues to provide data-driven insights for policy change. Information Dissemination: We make critical information available to the public and stakeholders through our website and publications like NASCOH News and The Disability Update. Advisory Services: We serve as a key advisory body to the government and other interested organizations on best practices for disability inclusion.
Faq's
Learn Something About Any Asked Questions
What is NASCOH’s primary mission?
Our mission is to lead the holistic empowerment of people with disabilities in Zimbabwe and beyond. We achieve this by promoting and protecting their rights through a well-coordinated and effective membership network.
When was the organization established?
NASCOH was founded in 1969. For over 55 years, we have worked to promote the rights, interests, and needs of all persons with disabilities in the region.
What is NASCOH and what does the name stand for?
NASCOH stands for the National Association of Societies for the Care of the Handicapped. We are a private, voluntary, non-profit human rights organization that serves as an umbrella body for over 50 organizations representing people with disabilities across Zimbabwe.
Ensuring persons with disabilities have a seat at the table in national decision-making and the electoral process.
Promoting fair employment practices and entrepreneurship through our vast member network.
Promoting the right to participate in the arts, sports, and cultural heritage of Zimbabwe without discrimination.