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Our work on inclusive education

Our goal is to improve the lives of children with disabilities, and break the cycle of poverty by ensuring accessible learning is available for all.

A teacher in a classroom in Kenya leans down to teach two boys a task with bottle tops.

Education is a fundamental right, but for the most marginalised children, and especially those with disabilities, their rights are too often denied.

Ensuring that education is inclusive is essential for achieving Sustainable Development Goal 4 in 2030.

Since 2018, Inclusive Futures has worked with consortium partners and organisations of people with disabilities to support governments in five countries (Bangladesh, Kenya, Tanzania, Nepal and Nigeria) to improve inclusive education. The programmes aim to innovate and scale successful approaches to disability inclusion in mainstream education, and remove barriers to ensure children with disabilities can take part.

Our approach to inclusive education

We identify the reasons for exclusion

Quality education is key to escaping poverty, but children with disabilities may struggle to attend school because of lack of appropriate transportation, ongoing negative attitudes, or a learning environment that is not able to support their needs.

We promote an inclusive environment

We aim to tackle these key issues to ensure children can participate in school in a number of ways. This includes by promoting a disability-inclusive learning environment, and maximising learning outcomes for those who attend.

We provide training and technology

We provide access to assistive technology and inclusive assessment tools, and train teachers in inclusive teaching methods so they can adapt their curricula and accommodate the needs of all children.

We encourage inclusive strategies

We’re also aiming for system change in mainstream education and influence beyond each individual school. We’re focusing on integrating inclusion into national government strategies and systems, to expand its reach.

Our education projects

A young boy from Bangladesh in his school uniform.
© Sightsavers/Reza Shahriar Rahman

Strengthening the education system to support children with disabilities in Bangladesh

Duration: Three and a half years
Donor: UK aid
Partners: Sightsavers, ADD International, Sense International

This project covers two districts of Bangladesh to improve educational outcomes and provide equal access to education for children with disabilities, particularly with complex and multiple disabilities, both those in school and out of school. It also aims to improve the inclusivity of educational systems, through school infrastructure and planning systems, and improved referral pathways. More about the project

A group of school children smile at the camera inside their classroom.
© Sightsavers

Promoting inclusive early childhood development education in Kenya

Duration: Three years 10 months
Donor: UK aid
Partners: Sightsavers, Humanity & Inclusion, Sense International, Institute of Development Studies

This initiative will work through government structures and with civil society to identify affordable, contextually appropriate, scalable and sustainable inclusive early childhood development education approaches for children with disabilities in selected pre-primary schools in Homa Bay and Kakuma refugee camp. It will also look at ways to improve home-based care for children with multiple and complex disabilities. About the project.

In a classroom, a teacher helps a student with their work.
© Sightsavers

Support mainstreaming inclusion so all learn equally (SMILE Project) in Nigeria

Duration: Four years four months
Donor: UK aid
Partners: Sightsavers, Institute of Development Studies

Through the strong leadership of local organisations of people with disabilities, the project aims to establish stronger links between schools, children with disabilities and their parents in Kaduna state. It supports school-based management committees (SBMCs) and/or parent teacher associations (PTAs) in the target schools to increase their knowledge and understanding of inclusive education concepts and gives them the skills to ensure more effective disability inclusive school planning. More about the project.

Three schoolgirls laugh together outside.
© Sightsavers/Jason J Mulikita

Promoting inclusive education for girls with disabilities in Tanzania

Duration: Two and a half years
Donor: UK aid
Partners: Sense International, Light for the World, ADD International

The project will support children with disabilities, especially girls, to learn in three remote districts in the Mwanza and Shinyanga regions. It will improve teaching and learning environments, referral systems and support, as well as ensuring the government’s education policies are effectively implemented by providing systemic support. By collaborating with the nationwide Shula Bora education programme, the project will amplify its work on disability inclusion throughout Tanzania.

A boy sits smiling outside a building next to a pair of crutches.
© Pralhad Gairapipli/Humanity & Inclusion

Strengthening inclusive education systems and services in Nepal

Duration: Two and a half years
Donor: UK aid
Partners: Humanity & Inclusion, Sense International

This project will develop and support local government, schools and other stakeholders to implement policies, procedures and plans to support education for children with disabilities. This will include training, support and development of good practices and guidelines for parents, children, school authorities, other community members and stakeholders. More about the project.

Research and resources

Support guide for parents and caregivers of children with disabilities

A key resource from our SMILE inclusive education project in Nigeria.

Inclusive education in resource-constrained environments

This report reviews recent examples of good practice in providing inclusive education when resources are constrained.

Education for children with disabilities during COVID-19

A look at the impact of COVID-19 on education for children with disabilities in low and middle income countries.

Evidence Digest, focus issue: Education

Disability-inclusive education in focus.

Read more about our work

A girl with a disability interacts with children without disabilities in her class.

Our work on inclusive early childhood development and education in Kenya

To celebrate World Children's Day, we take a closer look at our work on early childhood development and education in Kenya, and what makes it innovative.
Sandip sits smiling outside a building.

How schools in Nepal are including children with disabilities

As Inclusive Futures moves from testing innovations to delivering development programmes at scale, our inclusive education programme in Nepal is helping children with disabilities return to school.
A group of girls sit in a classroom.

Keeping children with disabilities in education

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on the education of children with disabilities. Inclusive Futures has supported pupils to continue learning at home, and will work to get them back into education when schools reopen.

What works to include people with disabilities

Evidence and resources

Inclusive Futures are specialists and global leaders in disability and development from 23 international organisations.

Our partners