Publications
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CBM Global, IAG, and GDI Hub
This Resource Guide was developed jointly by the Global Disability Innovation Hub (GDI Hub) and the Inclusion Advisory Group (IAG), which is an initiative of CBM Global Disability Inclusion. We would like to acknowledge the contributions of the 15 sector experts who participated in interviews during the initial consultation phase in 2023, offering valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities for inclusion across urban climate action, nature-based solutions, and energy transition
Climate change is the defining challenge of our time. Its impacts are widespread, but they are not experienced equally. Persons with disabilities – who represent over one billion people globally are disproportionately affected by climate-related risks, yet remain underrepresented in climate policy, planning, and action. This Resource Guide is a practical response to that gap. And it brings something new to the field of climate action: a clear, practical focus on how disability inclusion can be embedded across specific climate action sectors. From energy and urban development to nature-based solutions and disaster risk reduction, it showcases real-world examples that demonstrate what is possible when inclusion is intentional. These examples are still too rare and too often undocumented.
By highlighting them, this guide aims to inspire and equip climate practitioners to act, then document and share those actions to drive learning across sectors. The guide is grounded in dialogue, with organisations of persons with disabilities, climate actors, and development partners, and reflects a growing recognition that inclusive climate action is not only a matter of rights, but of resilience and resourcefulness. This is reflected in the growing momentum for official recognition of a disability constituency with the UNFCCC; a vital step to ensure that persons with disabilities can shape the policies which impact their lives. As organisations committed to disability inclusion and innovation, we see this guide as both a comprehensive resource and a starting point to build more evidence. There is an urgent need for deeper collaboration between disability and climate actors to generate and share knowledge, build mutual understanding, and strengthen inclusive practice. Through partnerships, dialogue, and joint learning, we can ensure that persons with disabilities are not only supported to be resilient to the impacts of climate change, but are active participants in shaping a more just and sustainable future.
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The 2024 Paralympic Games present a unique cultural moment to amplify the voices and stories of persons living with disabilities. To leverage this global event, the Global Disability Innovation Hub partnered with Shujaaz, an Emmy award winning partner based in Kenya to create a comprehensive initiative that explores and highlights the cultural impact of disability beyond the realm of sports. As part of this work Shujaaz collected data from Kenyans aged 18-24 across the country to understand:
- To what extent young Kenyans are aware of, positive about, participating in disabled sports
- To what extent young Kenyans are aware of, positive about, making use of assistive technology.
Shujaaz Inc; 2025
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The Global Disability Innovation Hub
The Inclusive Infrastructure sub-programme, led by GDI Hub, recognises that the built environment, the world where we live, dictates our ability to use the AT we need. Access to the built environment is a fundamental human right, protected by the UN CRPD. However, the world we have designed and built presents a multitude of barriers and challenges for many, including persons with disabilities.
Global Disability Innovation Hub; 2024
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Mikaela Patrick,Pollyanna Wardrop,Bala Nagendran Marimuthu
Disability is diverse, encompassing physical, sensory, and intellectual disabilities. Likewise, the experiences of people with disabilities—and the barriers they encounter when trying to access or benefit from material, financial, or social opportunities—vary greatly. Just as diverse are the ways in which these barriers can be removed. Hence, an explicit focus on disability is key to delivering an inclusive energy transition that leaves no one behind.
This Briefing Note sets the context, rationale, and recommendations for strategically integrating disability inclusion and accessibility in energy transition, Gender Equality, and Social Inclusion (GESI) programming and delivery. Particularly, this frames a Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) approach for the Transforming Energy Access (TEA) platform and partners and presents eleven recommendations for action.
Transforming Energy Access
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Mikaela Patrick,Pollyanna Wardrop,Bala Nagendran Marimuthu
Globally, 1 in 6 people experience disability (16%), 80% of whom live in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs). Disability occurs when people with impairments lose the opportunity for equal participation in society because of social and environmental barriers. In the context of climate change, disability can be a cause and consequence of energy poverty, as households of people with disabilities in LMICs are commonly larger, poorer, and in rural areas, where they may require more heating or cooling.
This White Paper titled ‘Opportunities for Disability-inclusive Energy Access’ underscores the need for inclusive energy transition measures to prevent socio-economic exclusion and discrimination, particularly among people with disabilities. This also outlines opportunities for powering assistive technology with clean energy and creating accessible clean energy solutions across eight sectors, including 1) home appliances and information and communication technologies (ICTs); 2) built environment and cities; 3) transportation; 4) healthcare; 5) education; 6) green jobs; 7) humanitarian sector and reconstruction; and 8) energy infrastructure.
This will serve as a reference for energy access innovators, practitioners, and policymakers to identify potential entry points for their contribution to disability-inclusive energy transition.
Transforming Energy Access
Jamie Danemayer, MSc, Mikaela Bloomberg, PhD, Adam Mills, MSc, Prof Cathy Holloway, PhD, Prof Shereen Hussein, PhD.
Assistive technology, such as canes, walkers, and wheelchairs, is essential for independence and social participation for people with disabilities. However, access remains limited, even in high-income countries. For example, over 30% of people with disabilities in England have unmet needs for assistive devices.
Factors like age, gender, location, and socioeconomic status influence access to assistive technology. While much research focuses on devices like glasses and hearing aids, mobility aids (e.g., wheelchairs) often receive less attention despite growing demand. Understanding these access disparities is crucial for identifying the groups most in need of support and guiding better policies.
Long-term data on assistive technology use is limited, but by combining data on disability and device use, we can identify gaps in access—especially for individuals who may not identify as disabled but still face significant functional limitations. Examining the links between demographic, social, and economic factors with unmet needs can help improve access and ensure more inclusive support for those most need it.
The Lancet; 2024
