Close search bar

This is what disability inclusion looks like

Proven results, practical lessons and guidance for the future, from the Inclusive Futures programme.

Read the full report (pdf)

On this page

A group of women wearing brightly coloured hijabs hold up family planning training materials.

One in six people worldwide have a disability – yet millions are still excluded from education, employment, health services and decision-making.

On top of this, disability remains one of the most neglected areas of global development.

Since 2018, Inclusive Futures – funded by UK aid and led by Sightsavers and the International Disability Alliance, alongside consortium partners – has shown that inclusion isn’t just possible: it works, it’s cost-effective and it transforms lives.

Over eight years, the programme has:

  • Reached 3.4 million people with disabilities and 15.6 million other people
  • Strengthened education, livelihoods, health and social inclusion
  • Influenced national policies and embedded inclusion in government systems

But progress is fragile. With rising global crises, shrinking aid budgets, and Inclusive Futures ending in 2026, we risk sliding backwards unless disability inclusion stays firmly on the agenda.

Watch our video ‘This is what inclusion looks like’ (2 minutes).

A girl in class in northern Nigeria is writing on a piece of paper at her desk.

Why we must take further action

A girl in class in northern Nigeria is writing on a piece of paper at her desk.
  • 1.3 billion people worldwide have a disability
  • 80 per cent of people with disabilities live in low and middle income countries
  • Children with disabilities are nearly twice as likely to be out of school
  • Exclusion costs developing countries up to seven per cent of GDP
  • Women with disabilities experience twice the rates of violence and discrimination

Proof that disability inclusive development works

Eight years of impact show that disability inclusion delivers measurable benefits. By partnering with more than 200 organisations of people with disabilities (OPDs), plus governments, INGOs and research institutions, Inclusive Futures embedded inclusion across systems and services.

Key results include:

  • More children with disabilities enrolling and thriving in school
  • Higher household incomes and reduced poverty
  • Greater access to inclusive healthcare
  • Stronger national policies and funding commitments
  • Reduced stigma and more supportive communities
  • More people covered by social protection and state systems

The programme generated 300 evidence and learning resources, including practical tools for education, livelihoods, health and behaviour change. It also produced guidance on disability inclusive safeguarding and budgeting for inclusion, to counter myths that disability inclusion is too difficult or expensive.

Read the report

‘This is what disability inclusion looks like’ showcases eight years of impact, learning and change. It shares evidence that proves disability inclusive development is one of the smartest, most transformative investments in global aid.

Read the report
A woman wearing colourful, traditional clothes and a headwrap speaks into a microphone at an event. She is seated in a wheelchair onstage alongside other panel members.

Lois’s story

A woman wearing colourful, traditional clothes and a headwrap speaks into a microphone at an event. She is seated in a wheelchair onstage alongside other panel members.

Lois Auta-Udonkanta, CEO of the Network of Women with Disabilities (Nigeria), has been a leading voice in strengthening sexual and reproductive health rights.

Through Inclusive Futures, she has spoken at major global forums, helping to shape policies and amplifying the priorities of women with disabilities. She also helped to launch our Six principles for inclusive development.

“Enablement, engagement, education, and empowerment. When you have these four Es, everyone is included.”

Image © Sightsavers/Alyssa Marriner

How we’ve made an impact

1. Education: unlocking the future

With £11 million invested in inclusive education in five countries, the programme trained teachers, supported families, identified out-of-school children, and worked closely with OPDs and refugee communities.

In Nepal, all children entering primary school are now assessed, ensuring earlier support for tens of thousands of children of disabilities.

A mother and daughter stand in front of a door, which is decorated with a flower garland.

Manita’s story

A mother and daughter stand in front of a door, which is decorated with a flower garland.

Manita is 14 years old and has complex disabilities with high support needs. Initially, her mother, Manju, was sceptical about whether she could go to school.

“When she first started, the teachers were unsure about handling a child like her. Seeing her happy and engaged at school brings me so much joy. She’s thriving and really enjoys going to school now.”

Image © Humanity & Inclusion Nepal

2. Economic opportunities

Inclusive Futures proved that people with disabilities contribute directly to economic growth when supported through inclusive design, training, financial inclusion and accessible workplaces.

In Kenya, household finances of entrepreneurs who participated in our programme increased by 30 per cent for at least a year afterwards, suggesting lasting impact.

A woman sitting at a Singer sewing machine smiles broadly.

Mary’s story

A woman sitting at a Singer sewing machine smiles broadly.

Mary has eight children and is a refugee from South Sudan living in Kalobeyei, Kenya. Mary grew her business with support and training from Inclusive Futures.

“The project has really helped me a lot. Before, I did not know much about financial management. They have also given me a partial grant, which I have used to add stock to my shop. I have been able to support my family at the same time. My hope is that my business continues to grow and things go well for another 10 or 15 years.”

Image © Sightsavers/Ninth Wonder Productions

3. Inclusive health

People with disabilities face greater need but poorer access to healthcare. Inclusive Futures worked with governments and OPDs to counter stigma, train health workers and adapt services.

In Nigeria, we co-designed a £15.8m sexual health and reproductive rights plan with Kaduna state government, which will reach more than 800,000 women and girls with disabilities.

A woman wearing a hijab sits next to a man. They are both smiling.

Hussaina’s story

A woman wearing a hijab sits next to a man. They are both smiling.

Hussaina took part in Inclusive Futures’ family planning project in Kaduna, Nigeria. She met her fiancée at one of the sessions.

“Before we started attending the seminars, we were scared. After I joined this programme, I was enlightened that you can be tested to find the best family planning method suited to you; pills, injections…you can choose.”

Image © Sightsavers/Adesegun Adeokun

4. Breaking down stigma

From radio dramas to community dialogues, Inclusive Futures addressed the root causes of exclusion: negative attitudes and discrimination.

In Nigeria, our partnership with BBC Media Action led to a radio drama ‘Story Story’ which addressed disability stigma, reaching 3.9 million adults, including 750,000 people with disabilities.

A large group of children wearing school uniforms cheer and raise their arms in the air.

Disability inclusion is one of the smartest investments in global development.

Inclusive Futures has proved genuine inclusion is achievable, but continued progress requires sustained commitment, investment and partnerships.

How you can help:

  1. Fund future inclusive development work or partner with us to embed inclusion in more systems: email [email protected]
  2. Learn and apply proven tools and evidence to your own work: use our resources

Together, we can target inequality and build a more equal world.

When we invest in disability inclusion, we’re not just changing individual lives – we’re strengthening communities and economies.

Tools, insights and guidance

Driving change: six principles for inclusive development (pdf)

Building successful partnerships between INGOs and disability organisations

Transforming livelihoods and education for refugees with disabilities

Reaching women and girls with disabilities

Including children with disabilities at school

Inclusive employment and livelihoods

Inclusive health

Dismantling disability stigma

Disability inclusive practices

Find out what we learned through our work, and how you can apply our recommendations to your projects

Read the full report (pdf)

Inclusive Futures are specialists and global leaders in disability and development from more than 20 global organisations.

Our partners