Leveraging monitoring, evaluation, and learning to scale the Enabling Inclusion^® program for children with disabilities in India and globally

Introduction: Children with disabilities in low- and middle-income countries face many challenges and lack adequate services, including access to rehabilitation professionals. To address this lack of access, Amar Seva Sangam Ayikudy (ASSA), a non-governmental organization (NGO) in India, designed a technology-leveraged rehabilitation program called Enabling Inclusion^® (EI^®), and implemented it in one state (Tamil Nadu, India) before scaling it. The model is supported by the EI^® app, which enables organizations to screen, assess and monitor progress of children with disabilities via rehabilitation specialists and community rehabilitation workers, and to provide family-centered, goal-based interventions. An extensive monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) framework is embedded into the program. This paper explores how this MEL system supported the scaling of the EI^® model, reaching additional beneficiaries nationally and globally. Methods: This paper describes ASSA’s MEL framework and demonstrates its use for decision-making in the process of scaling. It also explores how collaborations with various government departments, NGOs, and private partners contributed to the scaling of the EI^® model and technology. Results: Scaling of the EI^® program was achieved by (1) expansion of the program in rural Tamil Nadu (vertical scale-up) in partnership with the Tamil Nadu government and private partners, and (2) by licensing the EI^® app and model to other NGOs in various states in India and globally (horizontal scale-up). Systematic examination of key program and performance indicators, as well as stakeholder feedback, informed decisions to modify the EI^® app over time. This included further customizing to the needs of children and service providers, covering a greater range of age groups and contexts, and modifying service delivery models. Child functional independence, participation, and inclusion was further strengthened by mobilizing parent empowerment groups, community awareness programs, school advocacy, and entitlements from the government. Flexibility in the implementation model of the EI^® app allowed for adaptation to local contexts and organizations, and facilitated its scale-up. Conclusion: A dynamic, inclusive, and locally grounded MEL system, a flexible and collaborative approach, and an adaptive implementation model increased the accessibility of an early intervention and childhood rehabilitation program for children with disabilities and their families throughout the state of Tamil Nadu, across India, and internationally.