We’re working to make all health systems accessible so people with disabilities can get access to the health care they need, when and where they need it.
Our work on inclusive health
People with disabilities use health services more than people without disabilities – yet they experience disproportionate access to the help they need.
People with disabilities face a wide range of barriers in society, such as stigma and discrimination in the community and within the health sector, inaccessible health facilities and services, and higher out-of-pocket health expenses.
Access to inclusive health care is an integral human right, as well as a prerequisite to enjoy many other fundamental rights, including the rights to life, information and freedom from discrimination. We’re using what we’ve learned from our projects in Nepal and Nigeria, to create evidence on how to include people with disabilities – particularly women and girls with disabilities – with a targeted and mainstreaming approach in health programming.
Our health projects
Promoting access to inclusive family planning for people with disabilities in Nigeria
Duration: January 2022 – March 2026
Donor: UK aid
Partners: Sightsavers, BBC Media Action
Our family planning project in northern Nigeria aims to improve access to and use of family planning services for women with disabilities through social behaviour change activities such as mass media broadcasts and working with health facilities and communities. By collaborating with the nationwide Lafiya programme, we’re ensuring disability inclusion is built into and prioritised in health outcomes.
Project snapshot | Read how the project is transforming lives
Improving access to eye care services for people with disabilities in Nigeria
Duration: December 2019 – September 2022
Donor: UK aid
Partners: Sightsavers
This project piloted an inclusive health approach that focused on improving the quality of and equity in access to eye care services for people with disabilities in Kogi state, Nigeria. Working closely with the Kogi state government and local organisations of people with disabilities, we helped to establish a comprehensive and inclusive eye care programme, improving the local eye health system and access to eye care in the state. Project snapshot
Improving access to sexual and reproductive health services for young people with disabilities in Nepal
Duration: September 2019 – September 2022
Donor: UK aid
Partners: Humanity & Inclusion, BRAC, Light for the World, Sense International
In Nepal, we used a range of approaches to improve the wellbeing of young people with disabilities through equitable access to inclusive sexual reproductive health services and livelihood opportunities. Working closely with local and national organisations of people with disabilities, we used innovative activities such as peer-to-peer clubs, networks and mentors alongside improving accessibility and improving capacity in health facilities. Project snapshot
Improving the accessibility of COVID-19 treatment centres in Nigeria
Duration: Five months
Donor: UK aid
Partners: Sightsavers
Soon after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and during the first lockdown in Nigeria, we implemented a rapid response project to assess the level of accessibility of COVID-19 testing and treatment facilities. Following the assessments, we helped to renovate two public hospitals in the capital city, Abuja, which ensured more equitable access for people with disabilities to life-saving services.
Research and resources
Accessibility standards and audit pack for health facilities
Guidance for governments and healthcare providers on how to improve accessibility of healthcare facilities.
A disability-inclusive response to COVID-19
Four lessons learned about including people with disabilities in humanitarian aid.
Evidence digest, focus issue: Health
Evidence digest focus issue looking at health and disability inclusion.
Evidence digest on sexual and reproductive health and rights
Information on SRHR and disability inclusion, covering recent evidence, guidance and learning from programmes.
Mental health, maternal health and SRHR
Overview of evidence of the relationship between mental health, maternal health and sexual health.
Read more about our work
It’s time to ensure the rights of people with disabilities to sexual and reproductive health. Here’s where to start
One in five women has a disability, yet women and girls with disabilities have been consistently neglected in sexual health programmes.
Be inclusive: sexual and reproductive health and family planning
All sexual and reproductive health services need to be inclusive and accessible for people with disabilities as part of the global commitment to Universal Health Coverage.
Nigeria family planning: Let’s talk about sex
An innovative project in northern Nigeria is changing community attitudes and supporting women with disabilities to access family planning services.
