Sightsavers

The education sector is still struggling with how to include children with disabilities, particularly in these challenging times. At this year’s global education conference, I’m proud of the contribution that our education and research teams made to highlighting the importance of inclusive education, and the need to ensure that the integration of digital technology in education doesn’t unintentionally deepen exclusion. Read more in my latest blog: https://lnkd.in/eFumf97S #CIES2025 #EducationForAll #EdTech #Edchat

🚨 Send My Friend to School | Global Campaign for Education UK has published it's latest report on education funding. UK ODA to education has dropped significantly over the last decade, from 13.5% in 2013 to just 3.5% in 2023. With plans to reduce ODA to 0.3% of GNI by 2027, funding for education is at great risk - this could mean 2.2 million fewer children in school and learning globally. This would also disproportionately impact the learning of children with disabilities too. Now is not the time for the UK to turn its back on children's learning and futures. We need to see action by: 1️⃣ Reprioritising and protect UK ODA to education. 2️⃣ Taking action to ensure the Global Partnership for Education and Education Cannot Wait (ECW) are fully funded. 3️⃣ Support reforms to enable growth of domestic budgets for public education. Read our full report to learn more: https://lnkd.in/e4paifyC I'm really proud to have worked on this report over the last 7+ months with amazing colleagues Hannah Frisch, Shaylyn McMahon, Emma Wagner, Sophie Peterman, Nadia Hafedh, Oliver Mawhinney and everyone from the coalition! As I step down co-Chair of the Policy and Parliamentary Working Group, I leave the campaign in exceptional hands for powerfully making the case for global education. 💛 🏫 #InvestInMyFriendsLearning #FundEducation Sightsavers

"I feel good when I enter this building and when I'm attending to patients" says Alinafe, an ophthalmic clinical officer from Malawi. Through our work, we have been able to train thousands of eye health professionals. And we're not going to stop!

So what are the solutions? 💡 We spoke with Esther Mkamori about the barriers that organisations of persons with disabilities face and how governments and civil society organisations can #CommitToChange to support them. #GDS2025 United Disabled Persons of Kenya UDPK

Yesterday, we took a significant step towards promoting economic empowerment and disability inclusion in Zambia! Our Innovation Challenge grand finale brought together talented entrepreneurs with disabilities, showcasing their innovative ideas and solutions to address social problems in their communities. By providing seed funding and support, we aim to bridge the gap in access to finance and markets for people with disabilities, who often face significant barriers to starting and growing their own businesses. We're proud to partner with Zambia Federation for Disability Organisations (ZAFOD) and Challenges worldwide Zambia to drive positive change and promote inclusive growth. Huge congratulations to our top 5 winners, who will receive funding to take their projects to the next level! #InnovationChallenge #DisabilityInclusion #EconomicEmpowerment

"If the funding is cut, I'll have to go back home." Activists Sharon and Caterina talk about what the aid cuts could mean for disability inclusion programmes. #GDS2025

What would the world look like if every child with a disability had access to quality education?   At Sightsavers, we’re committed to making this a reality. That’s why our education and research teams are heading to the Comparative and International Education Society (CIES) Conference 2025 to share insights, challenge barriers, and drive action for inclusive education worldwide.   From tackling school-related gender-based violence to expanding access to assistive technology, our team will be presenting ground-breaking research and practical solutions that can transform education systems and change the lives of children with disabilities. We’ll be sharing our insights on:   ✅ How to make schools safer for children with disabilities ✅ The role of low-cost technology in breaking barriers to education ✅ Equipping teachers to better support learners with disabilities ✅ The digital divide and its impact on education and employment for young people with disabilities ✅ How better data can drive better policies for inclusive education   📢 Join us in these crucial conversations! Together, we can shape a future where no child is left behind.   #CIES2025 #InclusiveEducation #EducationForAll #DisabilityRights #Sightsavers

Hello #Chicago! Made it to the #cies2025 after all the flight chaos at #HeathrowAirport . Looking forward to exciting conference for next five days where me and my colleagues from Sightsavers will be presenting about our work on #InclusiveEducation from countries across Africa at multiple sessions. Those who made it, come to say hi during my session on Wednesday and let me know if you want me to join your session @Comparative and International Education Society 69th Annual Conference. #Sightsavers #EdTechForAll #EducationForAll #LeaveNoOneBehind #SDG4 Sheru W. Muuo Julia de Kadt https://lnkd.in/eyqk7Fjp

And another amazing colleague Ronnie (Veronica) Stapleton at #CIES2025 presenting on meeting the needs of learners with disabilities in low and middle income settings. As an organisation, Sightsavers is interested in increasing dialogue around the use of different technologies for children to access their right to a quality education. How can equity in access to technology be achieved for children with disabilities in low-cost settings? Are high tech solutions the only way of supporting children with disabilities to access a quality education? #inclusiveeducation #disabilityrights #sightsavers

"Actions speak louder than words" 📢 #EqualWorld Youth Champions, Tapiwa and James, spoke to us from #GDS2025, with recommendations on how governments can move forward to include people with disabilities.