Viva’s Cutting Edge: How can we do better at Disability Inclusion?
"Education is powerful. It is the best tool with which we can change this world." - Julie Kamya
How can we do better at Disability Inclusion? Summary
Disability inclusion focuses on removing societal barriers rather than viewing disability as an impairment. Inclusive education is vital for development, requiring systems that embrace diversity. Globally, one in ten children has a disability, with hidden conditions like dyslexia affecting up to 20% of the population. Children with disabilities face higher mortality and exclusion, making legal and policy frameworks essential. Future progress depends on awareness, infrastructure, attitude shifts, and consultation – guided by the principle "nothing about us without us." Research and advocacy remain critical for sustainable inclusion, with the need to influence public policy paramount for long-term change.
Education is the key for children with disabilities
Julie Kamya, who worked for CRANE (Children at Risk Action Network) for many years, began by explaining that disability exclusion is seen in "the attitudinal and environmental barriers that hinder people with impairments’ full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others." Concepts of disability have shifted from charity and medical to social models, and Julie noted that “education is quite pivotal … inclusive education is a system that welcomes and celebrates differences and diversities in mainstream education and adapts the resources and facilities to suit every learner's needs … It is the best tool with which we can change this world.” Globally, one in every 10 children has a disability, and in Uganda, the rate is 13.2%. Hidden disabilities like dyslexia affect one in every five people, and alarmingly, "children with disabilities will die up to 20 years earlier than those without disabilities," underscoring the urgency of action. Legal frameworks such as the UN Convention affirm that "it is the right" of children with disabilities to access education, though often, at least in Uganda, such children are hidden and outside of systems. Efforts such as CRANE’s Girls’ Education Challenge, which Julie led for 11 years, have helped raise awareness and introduce systemic-level changes, including the National Learning Identification Tool, with one piece of legislation on inclusive education now at the cabinet level.
Julie challenged organisations to ask: "Are our mission and vision statements including issues related to disability?" Inclusion demands practical changes such as ramps in buildings, captioning on digital media pieces, and braille options for written text, but also attitude shifts and consultation with persons with disabilities, with Julie noting that the prevailing attitude should be "nothing about us without us." Investing in research and awareness will close knowledge gaps and foster sustainable inclusion, with a multidisciplinary team very key in this, as expertise is needed from education, health and social work specialists. Julie reminded the participants of their Biblical mandate to care for all children, including children with disabilities, who are often “those that are left behind, and bring them closer to the feet of Jesus.”
Faith-driven public advocacy (workshop with Joseph Watt and Julie Kamya)
During the workshop, Julie Kamya expounded further on disability in Uganda, before Josephat Jarpa shared about his work in Chile, where he emphasises faith-driven public advocacy for people with disabilities, rooted in a theological reflection on inclusion. Drawing from Mark 2:1-12, Josephat highlighted the metaphor of “breaking the roof” as the four friends did for the man who could not walk as a call to action: “That shows they were not indifferent to suffering … and took decisive, radical action.” This principle underpins Crescendo Foundation’s work in Chile, which for 20 years has promoted social and labour inclusion for individuals with intellectual disabilities. The foundation pioneered Chile’s first inclusive café and is now developing an Inclusive Gastronomic Neighbourhood, engaging restaurants, government authorities, civil society, and faith communities. Through dialogue sessions involving 140 participants, the initiative has facilitated five labour inclusion processes, demonstrating how small organisations can influence public policy through trust-building and collaboration. Joseph also shared about his efforts in creating a Latin American Religious Cooperation Network, launched in 2022, which convenes Catholic, Jewish, and indigenous leaders to exchange best practices and amplify disability rights advocacy. Activities include forums and a radio programme on Radio María, fostering visibility for faith-based inclusion initiatives.
The workshop discussion reinforced the urgency of dialogue in polarised contexts, with the church having a crucial role: “The church must be guarantors of peace … and guarantors of dialogue.” It is necessary to engage those with whom dialogue is hardest, forming strategic alliances across academia, business, civil society, and families and among isolated initiatives supporting people with disabilities to avoid duplication and strengthen support networks. At the end of the workshop, many valuable questions were asked and answered, including about the right words to use, sign language, and identifying stakeholders.
These sessions were from a Cutting Edge conference in July 2025, organised by Viva, an international charity that inspires, equips and connects networks of churches and community-based organisations to work together to make a bigger, better and longer-lasting impact in the lives of children. For more information about Viva or Cutting Edge, please visit viva.org.