Disability Rights

USAID’s Commitment to Disability Rights

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USAID has a longstanding commitment to advancing the empowerment and inclusion of the 1.3 billion persons with disabilities—more than 16 percent of the world’s population—around the world. The Agency believes societies that are inclusive of their diverse populations are more likely to be democratic, participatory, and equitable. USAID works to transform lives, communities, and economies in a way that is inclusive of all members of society—including persons with disabilities. Any issue that affects humans – climate change, hunger, disease – necessarily affects persons with disabilities – and often disproportionately so. Intentional, sustainable, and meaningful inclusion of persons with disabilities in all areas of USAID’s work is therefore no longer an option – it is essential to realize our potential and meet our development goals.

Disability Policy

USAID's 2024 Disability Policy furthers this commitment with seven operating principles: accessibility, accountability, anti-ableism, do no (more) harm, gender equality, nondiscrimination, and nothing without us. USAID’s disability-inclusive development approach advances U.S. national interests in fostering accessible and inclusive environments around the world. Its policy is underpinned by U.S. domestic disability laws, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act, Rehabilitation Act, and others, and relevant international standards, such as the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Disability Programming

USAID provides field Missions with training, technical assistance, tools, and resources to integrate disability into key mission strategic documents and develop and implement disability action plans. 

USAID promotes the inclusion of persons with disabilities across all USAID-funded work. In addition, the Disability Program funds help 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 funds have supported more than 150 programs and activities in 65 countries, working with various organizations and implementing partners. In many instances, these organizations are Disabled Persons’ Organizations/Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (DPOs/OPDs)—civil society organizations run by and for persons with disabilities. Programming areas include democracy, human rights, and governance; economic growth and trade; education; disability-inclusive climate action; supporting participation in political and public life, among others. Through its Disability Program funds and broader inclusive development efforts, USAID is working with the disability community around the world to ensure that persons with disabilities are supported to fully exercise their human rights on an equitable basis with others.