Children With Disabilities

UNICEF's Fight for Equality

There are an estimated 93 million children living with disabilities in the world; half of them are out of school. Many are invisible, hidden by their families and abandoned by their governments. We believe that regardless of ability, all children have a right to reach their full potential.

Children with disabilities are one of the most excluded and marginalized groups, and often face multiple challenges in realizing their human rights. Guided by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and aligned to the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), UNICEF is working to include children with disabilities in all facets of its programming.

Removing Barriers so Kids Can Flourish

In partnership with Governments, UNICEF implements inclusive programs and services that promote the participation of children with disabilities in society. In 2019, UNICEF supported 154 countries and invested over US$497.11 million in programs that help give children, including those with disabilities, an equitable chance in life.

In 2019, UNICEF reached 1.7 million children with disabilities across 142 countries through disability-inclusive development and humanitarian programs – an increase from 1.4 million in 2018.

Integrating supplies into regular programs through market-shaping and procurement mechanisms, UNICEF has rapidly scaled up provision of assistive devices and products, reaching 138,000 children with disabilities globally, surpassing the target of 95,200 by 2021.

UNICEF and partners are proud of the difference we have made together to break stigma and include more children with disabilities and their families in society, and it’s critical that we continue our work to reach those who are hardest to reach and most vulnerable. UNICEF won’t stop until all 93 million children with disabilities around the world have what they need to survive and thrive, fully included.

UNICEF Reports