Disability, Diversity & Inclusion

Recognizing that meaningful inclusion for young people with disabilities starts with listening and learning, the Mastercard Foundation developed a research program to map the policy landscape and to hear directly from young people with disabilities.

Two report series have been developed, covering the Mastercard Foundation’s seven countries of focus – the first on the context, the second elevating youth voices.

Read Report Series: Phase One

Read Report Series: Phase Two

The new initiative, We Can Work, will enable young women and men with disabilities in 7 countries to access dignified and fulfilling work by 2030.

Conducted by inABLE and Technoprise Global in partnership with Caribou Digital and the Mastercard Foundation, this report documents the initial survey of 148 research participants, followed by 86 focus group discussions and in-depth interviews, exploring how young Kenyans are leveraging social media for selling goods and services.

December 3 is 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 Mastercard Foundation prioritizes elevating the voices of all youth, including the voices of young people with disabilities.

Recently, the Foundation hosted a roundtable aimed at elevating the voices of young people with disabilities—all of whom are working to drive innovative change in their communities.

In Africa, people with disabilities make up over 80 million of the continent’s population. They’re twice as likely to be unemployed than their counterparts without disabilities. Additionally, the unemployment rate and barriers to dignified and fulfilling work are even higher for women with disabilities.

Access to education and employment are paving stones on the road to the full and meaningful participation for young people with disabilities. Yet, in Africa, youth with disabilities are overrepresented amongst those not in education, employment, and training.

Watch the stories of five incredible youths that have recognized a need within their community and are creating positive change. Here are five leaders innovating for inclusion.