This year’s theme for the International Day of Persons with Disabilities is “Fostering Disability Inclusive Societies for Advancing Social Progress.”
It’s a timely reminder that one in six people globally live with a disability, and 80 percent of them are in developing countries. For these individuals, the risks of poverty, hunger, and exclusion are far greater, and during humanitarian crises, these vulnerabilities are magnified.
The principle of “Leave No One Behind” is central to the Sustainable Development Goals championed by the United Nations, civil society, and governments. Yet persons with disabilities remain disproportionately left behind. According to the UN Disability and Development Report (2024), persistent gaps exist in areas such as food security, health, access to energy, and digital connectivity.
These inequalities stem from barriers like physical inaccessibility, discriminatory laws and practices, lack of assistive technology, and limited participation in decision-making. The result is higher unemployment and poverty rates compared to the general population.
Understanding the problem
Disability-related challenges rarely exist in isolation. Other factors often compound exclusion and risk, including:
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Gender: Women and girls with disabilities face heightened risks of violence and discrimination. Their gender-specific needs - such as health or protection services - are often overlooked due to the underrepresentation of women in decision-making.
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Age: Older persons with disabilities may experience age-related conditions that compound their disabilities. Their needs vary widely depending on family support and are often ignored in assessments.
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Geography: Rural and remote communities face severe service gaps that limit independence. Employment opportunities are scarce and often physically demanding, while social isolation from people with similar challenges can lead to greater discrimination.
A critical challenge remains the lack of disaggregated data, which hampers inclusive policymaking and monitoring. Better data would reveal how people with disabilities access services, expose gaps, and strengthen advocacy.
For example, data on the intersection between protection and secure sanitation access for women and girls with disabilities in humanitarian settings could justify additional funding. It could also inform design, such as thinking about installing reliable lighting between shelters and secure sanitation services for enhanced safety.
Closing the disability gap
To address these challenges, governments, NGOs, and the private sector must:
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Integrate disability inclusion into national development plans and emergency responses.
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Invest in accessibility and assistive technologies, ensuring affordable access to devices and digital platforms.
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Build inclusive education and employment pathways, promoting skills development and workplace diversity.
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Strengthen governance and accountability through data-led measurement that captures co-vulnerabilities like age and gender.
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Empower persons with disabilities by guaranteeing meaningful participation in policy and program design.
Caritas Australia’s response
At Caritas Australia, disability inclusion is integral to our mission. In FY25, 79 of our projects addressed disability inclusion, spanning education access, livelihood programs, and psychosocial support.
One powerful example is Lam’s story from Vietnam. Born with a disability, Lam faced barriers to education and employment. Through Caritas-supported programs, Lam gained vocational training, confidence, and a social network - transforming his future and inspiring his community.
Watch Lam's story
What can you do to help?
If you want your donations to make a difference for people with disabilities, you should look to support organisations that report on disability impacts and spotlight the lived experiences of persons with disabilities in their communications.
By embedding disability inclusion into all our decision-making - whether as donors, NGOs, or governments - we can ensure that disability is never a barrier to dignity, opportunity, and resilience. Together, we can truly leave no one behind.
Dr Martin Laverty is the Chief Executive of the national disability service organisation Aruma, and a Director on the board of Caritas Australia.
Dr Laverty was involved in setting up the National Disability Insurance Scheme, which legislates components of the UN Charter on the rights of people with disability. He has held chief executive and board roles at several health and disability organisations across Australia including the Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia and Catholic Health Australia.
