At World Vision, we envision a world where every individual, regardless of ability, has the opportunity to thrive. Through partnerships with governments, public sector organizations like USAID, local communities, and children and their families, we are creating sustainable, impactful programs that break down barriers and equip and empower persons with disabilities to participate fully in society.
As we approach the Day of Persons with Disabilities, we celebrate the success of initiatives like the USAID-funded Uburezi Iwacu (Homes & Communities) program, the Able to Thrive program in Malawi, and the Veivanua Campaign in Vanuatu. These programs leverage evidence-based, multi-sectoral approaches encompassing education, health, community development, and more to create environments where individuals with disabilities are included and empowered. Together, these initiatives have reached hundreds of thousands of individuals, demonstrating the power of inclusive programming to transform lives.
Abraham’s Story – A Journey of Resilience
Five years ago, Abraham’s world was filled with obstacles. Born with cerebral palsy, he longed to attend school with his sisters, but the steep hill leading to their community’s school made the journey impossible. His mother, Solina, carried him down the hill every morning to his wheelchair waiting at the bottom and back up every afternoon, determined to give him a chance to learn. Even with her efforts, Abraham struggled to participate in class activities without adequate support.
USAID Uburezi Iwacu in Rwanda changed everything for Abraham and his family. Designed to create literacy-supportive environments for children, it emphasizes inclusive education through community-driven solutions. Wrap-around support for Abraham includes, but is not limited to, engagement with a Disability Inclusion Specialist, transportation to physiotherapy, peer-support from other families of children with disabilities, livelihoods training, a wheelchair, a trained teacher’s assistant, and access to inclusive WASH facilities at school. Evidence shows that early intervention and early childhood education significantly improve long-term outcomes for children with disabilities, and Abraham’s story is proof of this impact. His mother proudly shares, “I feel good to see my son happy to join others and interact with his peers.” By reaching nearly 900,000 children and their families, USAID Uburezi Iwacu ensures that children like Abraham get the education they deserve. (Learn more about Abraham’s transformative journey in this video.)
Claudette’s Story – Overcoming Discrimination
Claudette, a 10-year-old girl born with albinism, faced not only physical challenges but also pervasive social discrimination. Teased by classmates and struggling with vision problems, she dropped out of school and isolated from friends and community life. Her parents did their best to support her but lacked the resources to address her needs effectively.
Through USAID Uburezi Iwacu, Claudette’s life took a transformative turn. USAID Uburezi Iwacu provided skin creams and glasses for Claudette, targeted training for her parents and teachers, and community awareness sessions to challenge misconceptions about albinism. Today, Claudette attends school confidently and excels in her studies, serving as an inspiration to her peers and family. USAID Uburezi Iwacu's comprehensive approach reflects evidence that addressing both individual needs and societal attitudes is essential for sustainable change. Her mother says, “She is happy, confident, and full of energy, which was not the case before.” USAID Uburezi Iwacu’s integrated model has reached thousands of children like Claudette, promoting not just education but also social acceptance and resilience.
Favor’s Story – Walking Towards Independence
For most of her life, six-year-old Favor was isolated due to her disability. Born with a foot that connected to her knee joint, she underwent surgery to remove the foot but was left without mobility support. Unable to play with friends or attend school regularly, Favor relied entirely on her parents to carry her everywhere.
World Vision’s Able to Thrive program in Malawi identified Favor during a community screening, one of its key evidence-based strategies for identifying children with disabilities and connecting them to services. Favor received an artificial limb and therapy, enabling her to walk independently. The program’s holistic approach integrates education, rehabilitation, parent education and community awareness to foster inclusion.
Today, Favor not only attends school but also participates in activities with her peers. Her mother beams, “We had no hope that we could see our daughter playing with friends happily, but now look—she is happy.” By addressing individual needs and systemic barriers, the program has supported hundreds of children like Favor, proving that inclusion leads to independence and success.
Patuma and Shukurani – A Legacy of Inclusion
Patuma, born deaf, grew up facing significant educational barriers. When her son, Shukurani, was also born deaf, she feared he would face the same challenges. Communication barriers left him feeling isolated in school, and his disengagement often led to skipping classes.
The Able to Thrive program in Malawi introduced sign language clubs and trained teachers in Shukurani’s community, transforming his learning experience. Evidence underscores that inclusive education models—where both teachers and peers learn to communicate effectively—significantly improve engagement and outcomes for children with disabilities. Today, Shukurani not only participates actively in class but also finds joy and connection with his peers. His teacher, Liness, says, “Our club has become a haven for Shukurani and his peers.” With over 100 children benefiting from similar interventions, Able to Thrive is fostering systemic change and creating a legacy of inclusion for future generations.
Veivanua Campaign – Empowering Women and Girls with Intellectual Disabilities
Nestled in the heart of the Pacific, Vanuatu is a young, vibrant nation of over 80 volcanic islands striving to build a stable, inclusive, and resilient future. Guided by its "Vanuatu 2030" agenda, the nation has committed to empowering vulnerable groups, supporting people with disabilities, and ensuring equitable access to vital services like water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH).
In 2022, World Vision, in partnership with the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, took a groundbreaking step with The Veivanua Campaign. This initiative addressed the menstrual health and hygiene (MHH) needs of women and girls with intellectual disabilities during humanitarian emergencies. Women and girls with disabilities, especially those with intellectual challenges, often face exclusion from standard hygiene programs and emergency responses.
One central feature of the campaign was its characters: Veivanua, a girl with an intellectual disability whose name means "girl who belongs to this place," and Votahenavanua, her supportive caregiver, meaning "woman who inspires others." These relatable figures became the face of a movement focused on dignity, preparedness, and inclusivity.
The campaign demonstrated remarkable success. Participants reported improved menstrual health practices and a newfound confidence in managing emergencies. Caregivers, both men and women, gained the tools and knowledge to better support those in their care. Through this and other efforts, World Vision is focusing on improving quality and reach in disability-inclusive WASH programs, helping ensure no one is left behind.
Strengthening Inclusion in WASH Programing
Building on the success of programs like the Veivanua Campaign, World Vision is working to deepen our focus on disability inclusion in WASH programming. Across the globe, individuals with disabilities often face barriers to accessing safe and effective WASH facilities. Addressing these challenges is critical to ensuring that no one is left behind. To achieve real and lasting impact, World Vision emphasizes five critical considerations for inclusive WASH programs:
Inclusive norms and attitudes are foundational
Understanding mindsets, experiences, and biases—whether within our teams, communities, or governments—enables us to address exclusion at its root.
Inclusion must be intentional from the outset
This means actively involving people with disabilities in the design and implementation of WASH systems and ensuring accommodations for vision, hearing, language, and mobility needs.
Inclusive WASH programming is about more than compliance—it is about advancing rights and values
By reducing exclusion and challenging entrenched inequalities, we create environments where all individuals, regardless of ability, can thrive.
Partnerships are also key
Collaborating across sectors and with diverse stakeholders lays the foundation for inclusive mindsets and community transformation.
Standards matter
Adhering to defined accessibility standards helps ensure that WASH infrastructure is both high-quality and truly inclusive.
World Vision’s disability-inclusive WASH programs are paving the way for equitable access and dignity for all. From accessible latrines to inclusive hygiene education, these programs embody our commitment to creating systems and environments that work for everyone.
Strengthening Inclusion in Health Programming
To help ensure that health programs are inclusive of children with disabilities, World Vision integrates four critical actions that guide efforts to create health systems which not only address medical needs but also empower individuals and their communities:
Engage persons with disabilities, disability service providers, and organizations of persons with disabilities
“Nothing about us without us” is the key principle of disability inclusion.
Promote participation and decision-making
Ensure children and adults with disabilities can participate fully in all aspects of life and make decisions on issues that matter to them.
Ensuring supportive systems
The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and national laws in most countries provide guarantees for equality around access to education and employment, water, social services, and specialized medical and rehabilitation services.
Remove barriers
This includes barriers or challenges related to language, culture, physical distance, religious beliefs, stigma, and discrimination.
By embedding disability inclusion into every stage of program design and implementation, World Vision is building health systems that are not only equitable but also resilient, enabling all children to thrive.
In Malawi, the Able to Thrive program exemplifies these principles. Through mobile clinics, children were connected to rehabilitation services, while WASH interventions provided accessible facilities to promote health and hygiene. Campaigns leveraging social media, radio, and faith leaders increased awareness and reduced stigma, resulting in a fivefold increase in children with disabilities participating in World Vision's sponsorship program in Malawi within a year.
In Laos, World Vision programs equip parents to monitor their child’s development through daily interactions and play. Using a picture-based developmental assessment and intervention guide, parents can identify developmental delays early, seek referrals, and engage in interventions during the critical early years.
In Tanzania, collaboration with community leaders and organizations of persons with disabilities have increased the number of children with disabilities supported from 350 to 1,314 in a year. Specialized partnerships provide mobility aids, rehabilitation services, and inclusive training, helping ensure no child is left behind.
Make a Difference
At World Vision, we believe that every individual, regardless of ability, has the right to thrive, participate fully in their community, and live with dignity. From classrooms in Rwanda to health clinics in Malawi and advocacy campaigns in Vanuatu, our programs demonstrate that inclusive approaches are not only transformative but essential for sustainable development.
The stories shared here highlight the resilience and potential of children and adults with disabilities, as well as the power of inclusive education, health, and WASH systems. Through partnerships with governments, organizations, and communities, and with evidence-based approaches at the core, we are breaking down barriers and helping ensure everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
But there is still work to be done. Achieving a truly inclusive world requires ongoing collaboration, innovation, and commitment. As we celebrate the Day of Persons with Disabilities, we invite you to join us in this mission. Whether through advocacy, support, or action, you can help create a future where everyone has the opportunity to live to their fullest potential. Learn more about our work and how you can support disability inclusion. Together, we can build brighter, more inclusive futures for all.
Explore More
World Vision is leading the way in inclusive education: Discover how World Vision is building on USAID’s Capacity Strengthening of Local Education Systems Guidance Note to implement disability-inclusive approaches within the education sector in this USAID EduLinks blog by World Vision Senior Technical Advisor for Education Michael Greer. The blog also highlights key takeaways from the main speakers—which included donor and implementer insights from USAID, International Disability Partners, FHI360, and World Vision—during the International Literacy Day webinar hosted by World Vision in September.
Watch these stories of resilience: Emily, Falida, and Mable, three children with disabilities who were equipped and empowered to overcame significant challenges through World Vision initiatives and programs, tell their stories in these powerful videos.
Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) resources to strengthen your programs: Access World Vision’s sector-specific GESI reference guides and toolkit, which provide step-by-step strategies for integrating gender equality and social and disability inclusion across sectors like health, education, WASH, and livelihoods. These resources can help your programs tackle the root causes of poverty and injustice and build brighter futures for children and their families around the world. Access these resources and learn more about the GESI approach here.
Help support inclusive education for children with disabilities: Help provide access to textbooks in Braille, sign language training, wheelchairs, and other needs to help kids with disabilities enjoy fuller lives.
World Vision Zambia is recipient of 2025 Zero Project Award: World Vision Zambia received the prestigious award for its groundbreaking work in ensuring businesses run by persons with disabilities can access World Vision contracts. It was one of 522 nominations of organizations from 61 countries across all six continents on the themes of Inclusive Employment and Informationa and Communication Technology (ICT). Each year, the Zero Project awards organizations that implement solutions that improve the daily lives and legal rights of all persons with disabilities. Learn more about the project on the Zero Project website.