Children with disabilities have the same rights and aspirations as any child: to grow up safe, healthy, educated and included
Children with disabilities face barriers in homes, schools and during emergencies. Our disability support for children advances child disability rights through inclusive education Australia-wide, and inclusive humanitarian response around the world, helping improve the opportunities for every child.
Every child deserves to be seen, heard and included
Children are at the centre of all our programs. Across early years care, education engagement, family support, violence prevention and recovery, and workforce development, we always prioritise children who are most marginalised, including children with disabilities, so that every child can participate and be heard in the decisions that affect their lives.
Huma’s* story: Seeing a brighter future after disaster
Children with disabilities are more likely to experience inequality and discrimination that limit access to education and development opportunities. In emergencies and crises, these barriers often intensify, making healthcare, assistive devices and continuous learning harder to reach. That is why early identification, tailored disability support for children, and assistive tools are so important to unlock participation and progress.
After Türkiye was struck by severe earthquakes in 2023, Huma, a 10-year-old girl born with a visual impairment, found herself living in a tent and struggling to access the continuous care she required from the eye clinic she had been attending.
“After the earthquake, her eyesight has deteriorated,” says her mother Asmaa*. “It became difficult for her to see her lessons, especially things written in thin font. As the days went by, her eyesight began to deteriorate to the point that when she went out on the street, she couldn't see the vehicles. Especially under the sunlight, the situation is worse.”
With support from Save the Children, Huma received the glasses she needed to be able to stay safe, and keep up with her education.
“Imagine someone who couldn't see and started to see,” says Asmaa. “Her happiness at being able to see like any other child is indescribable.”
Thanks to that additional support, Huma returned to reading independently, studying with her brother, gaining confidence and reconnecting with friends. She now has bold dreams, and a desire to help people, saying: “When I grow up, I’d like to be an eye doctor”.
Advocating for the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD)
Our approach to child disability rights aligns with the CRPD, which states in Article 7 that children with disabilities should enjoy all human rights and fundamental freedoms on an equal basis with other children, with their best interests and views considered in all actions concerning them.
Education is central: article 24 of the CRPD recognises the right to education and calls for an inclusive education system at all levels, with reasonable accommodation and support to enable effective learning. This is the foundation for inclusive education in Australia and globally, and is a key principle in how we design education programs with families and schools.
How Save the Children supports children with disabilities
Inclusive humanitarian response
In crises like disasters and conflict, children with disabilities are among the most at risk. Our teams focus on practical access: life-saving health and nutrition, safe spaces, and continuity of learning, delivered with families, so support is responsive to each child’s needs. Internationally, our programs reach children in humanitarian emergencies and help communities build resilience to climate and disaster risks.
Learning and participation
Across Australia, through 54 reasons, we partner with schools and caregivers, so children with disabilities can access the supports they need to learn, participate and feel safe and connected. This includes early years care that nurtures development before school, education engagement to help children stay connected to learning, and family support that strengthens safe, nurturing home environments.
Health, protection and wellbeing
Our global strategy aims for every child to survive, learn and be protected; no child dying from preventable causes; all children learning from a quality basic education; and an end to violence against children. For children with additional support needs, this means coordinated health, education and protection services designed to remove barriers and enable participation.
Community-centred practice
We co-design our programs with the communities we work with. Whether connecting a child to an assistive device or adapting classroom strategies, we plan alongside parents, caregivers, teachers, and community organisations to ensure solutions are practical and tailored to the context.
Partnerships that last
We work with local communities, governments and sector partners to strengthen the systems around children so that inclusive practices endure and can be scaled. That systems focus is how Save the Children disability programs aim to deliver impact that continues long after a project ends.
How you can help build an inclusive world for every child
Champion inclusion where you are
Ask your school, childcare or community group how they support inclusion and accessibility. Encourage practices that reflect inclusive education principles, universal design for learning, reasonable adjustments and positive behaviour supports.
Back children’s goals
If a child uses an assistive device, help them practise with it. Celebrate strengths and interests to build confidence and belonging. Our teams see daily how early tools and encouragement enable children to thrive.
Learn about rights
Read the CRPD’s child-focused articles and share them with your network. Knowing rights makes it easier to advocate when barriers appear.
Partner with us
Schools, service providers and community organisations can collaborate with Save the Children and 54 reasons to embed inclusive practices across classrooms, family services and inclusive humanitarian response.
Become a donor
Your support helps us reach children who are most at risk, including children with disabilities, with practical, rights-based assistance in Australia and around the world.
By centring child disability rights, investing in disability and development, and working together across home, school and community, we can ensure every child is seen, heard and included, and able to thrive in every community.
*Names have been changed to protect identities.