Disability Inclusion

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Disability inclusion is central to the realization of the Mastercard Foundation’s vision and mission.

Creating an accessible and inclusive world must be driven by young people with different and unique lived experiences — youth with disabilities, refugees, and displaced youth — who face systemic barriers to accessing education and employment.

We believe the leadership, diverse skills, and perspectives of youth with disabilities catalyze innovative solutions and approaches. By empowering these young individuals, we not only support their personal growth but also contribute to a more equitable and dynamic economy. Their leadership will drive a vibrant, accessible, and inclusive future of work.

Key Initiatives

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Disability-Inclusive Education and Employment: Report series

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 series of reports have been produced, covering the Mastercard Foundation’s seven countries of focus.

Read the reports
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New report: Platform Livelihoods for Kenyan Youth with Disabilities

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, to explore how young Kenyans are leveraging social media to sell goods and services.

Read the report
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International Day of Persons with Disabilities

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.

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Video: Disability-Inclusive Education and Employment – Understanding Youth Experiences and Aspirations

Created by researchers from the Uganda Research Unit and the International Centre for Evidence in Disability at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, in partnership with young people with disabilities and the Mastercard Foundation, this short film shows what dignified, fulfilling work looks like and means for youth with disabilities in Uganda and Ghana.

Watch the short film

Video: Innovating for Disability Inclusion

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

Watch the stories

Latest Disability Inclusion Research

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Disability Inclusion Latest

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Youth Changemakers Leading the Conversation on Disability Inclusion

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.

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