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Our Case for Support
"I have parents of children with disabilities who come to my school. We try for 1-2 weeks but I meet with the parents and we cry together because I have to turn them away because there is nothing I can do."
- School principal, Phnom Penh Cambodia
We're working for the day when equal human rights and disability-inclusive systems are the norm in our world,
instead of the exception.
There is immense need
and unmet basic human rights for people with disabilities throughout our world today.
In our world today, 1 in 6 people or 1.3 billion people worldwide are living with a significant disability, and the majority (around 80%) live in low- and middle-income countries where exclusion, inequality, and poverty are their norm. They are among the most marginalized and often lack access to education, work, healthcare, and community life.
Teachers, families, and leaders often want to help, but they lack training, resources, and support to create disability services. The result is a vicious cycle of isolation, poverty, and wasted potential.
DSI is uniquely suited to address this need
DSI exists because of this current reality and works to build a world where equal human rights and a high quality of life are realities for everyone. A world where disability is no longer a barrier to opportunity, education, dignity, or contribution.
Through providing training, technical support, and collaboration, DSI works to increase the capacity of communities and local professionals to include and support people with disabilities, especially in areas where support like this is limited or nonexistent currently.
Our impact so far...
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Our Global Disability Directory hosts 500+ organizational profiles in 117 countries.
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Our Training of Trainers curriculum brings an innovative and scalable approach to teachers and communities.
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In Cambodia, we have already trained hundreds of teachers and local leaders, impacting thousands of children with disabilities and are now beginning to expand our training program's reach.
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On an ongoing basis, we work across cultures, languages, time zones to build sustainable solutions and equip changemakers working tirelessly toward this mission work we share.
Learn more about our vision and mission that guides this work.
View current training projects and those urgently waiting now.
Check out ways you can help to advance this mission too.