December 3 is the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD). On this day, we celebrate the Foundation’s work on improving access to higher education and employment for young people with disabilities. The theme for this year’s celebration is ‘Transformative solutions for inclusive development: the role of innovation in fueling an accessible and equitable world.’ 

Equity and inclusion are central to the realization of the Mastercard Foundation’s vision and mission. It is reflected in the Foundation’s strategy, Young Africa Works, which will enable 30 million youth, particularly women, to obtain dignified and fulfilling work by 2030.  

Creating prosperity across the continent will require leaders of all backgrounds and experiences who will work to ensure transformative solutions are available to all. The Mastercard Foundation celebrates the innovative spirit and ingenuity that youth with disabilities bring to breaking down barriers to equitable education and employment and catalyzing innovative solutions for the future of work.

Partner resources for disability inclusion 

Cap-Able is a digital toolkit designed to equip administrators, lecturers, and management with the information, knowledge, and tools to create more inclusive learning institutions. The toolkit offers best practices for higher education institutions to improve enrollment and learning practices, create inclusive learning environments, and help young people effectively transition to the world of work. Learn more.

NEWS: Mastercard Foundation and Light for the World launch online platform to facilitate access to higher education for persons with disabilities. Read more.

Towards inclusive education at United States International University – Africa 

Mastercard Foundation Scholar Profiles 

Advocating for an Inclusive World

Shegaw Birhanu is an alumnus of the Scholars Program at the University of Gondar currently working as a public prosecutor at Dabat town court in Ethiopia. He lost his sight as a child due to an accident. With the help his father, he enrolled at Saint Raphael Boarding School for Blind, located in Azezo, Gondar city in 2000. He graduated of the School of Law in October 2020 (University of Gondar) with an LLM and as one of the best performing students in class of 2020.

Read his story.

Planning for her Future, Writing her Life’s Script

Bethlehem Ayalew is a Mastercard Foundation Scholar at the University of Gondar (UoG) in Ethiopia. She is currently in her fourth year, studying physiotherapy.  

Read her story.

Mastercard Foundation Scholars weigh in on IDPD