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A large group of young people, including several wheelchair users, stand in line holding hands in a public square.
Participants in USAID/Georgia's Disability Advocacy Project, implemented by the Coalition for Independent Living.
USAID

USAID promotes the inclusion of persons with disabilities across all USAID-funded work. In addition, the Disability Program Fund helps to catalyze USAID disability-inclusive programming worldwide by providing funds directly to Missions, encouraging them to include disability across all sectors of their work. Projects work to reduce barriers that limit the participation of persons with disabilities in their societies, communities, and families. 

Since 2005, USAID’s Disability Program Fund has supported more than 150 programs and activities in 65 countries, working with various organizations and implementing partners. In many instances, these organizations are Disabled People's Organizations (DPO)—civil society organizations run by and for persons with disabilities. Programming areas include democracy, human rights, and governance; economic growth and trade; and education; among others. Through its Disability Program Fund and broader inclusive development efforts, USAID is working with the disability community around the world to ensure that persons with disabilities are empowered to fully exercise their human rights on an equal basis with others.

Program Highlights

  • Art for Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities increases inclusion and improves the quality of life of children and young persons with disabilities in Belarus through launching awareness-raising campaigns, strengthening a network of local disabled people’s organizations, and developing social enterprises and community-based services. The project promotes the rights of persons with disabilities and their inclusion in society through artistic and other events. Activities also aim to engage new grassroots DPOs in networking and exchanging experiences and lessons learned. 
  • All Children Reading Cambodia improves early grade learning skills of children, including children with disabilities in grades one to three. Outcomes include meaningful participation of children with disabilities in the learning process with improved performance, writing, and mathematics.
  • Expanding Employment and Income-Generation Opportunities for Persons With Disabilities provides persons with disabilities with new climate-adaptive technologies and financing that will help them generate income and participate in the economy. The program works to integrate persons with disabilities into programs and initiatives to improve food security in the region.

Relevant Policies

E-Learning

Technical Resources

Tags
disability