Assistive Technology for inclusive development in the Indo-Pacific (ATscale)
$16.5 million, 2024 to 2029
Australia is partnering with ATscale, the Global Partnership for Assistive Technology, to improve the lives of children with disability by screening and providing the assistive technology they need (including glasses, hearing aids and mobility aids) to support inclusion in schools and communities. Australian funding is supporting programs in Indonesia and seven countries in the Pacific (Fiji, Kiribati, Federated States of Micronesia, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga and Vanuatu). The program also supports the strengthening of national systems, workforce capacity and cross-sector and regional coordination. Australia is a member of the ATscale Board.
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Disability-inclusive technical assistance (CBM Australia)
$12.2 million, 2018 to 2025
This investment supports implementation of Australia's International Disability Equity and Rights Strategy through the provision of technical assistance and analytical support to design, implement, monitor and evaluate disability-inclusive practice. The partnership continues to build understanding and capacity within DFAT and with implementing partners. This increases the reach of Australia's development program, the quality of life of people with disability, and their contribution to economic development. The partnership was independently evaluated in 2024. The evaluation report and management response are available online.
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Support for Pacific organisations of people with disability (Pacific Disability Forum)
$6.5 million, 2022 to 2025
Australia partners with the Pacific Disability Forum (PDF), a regional umbrella organisation of Pacific organisations of people with disability to support their members to advocate for and advance their rights. PDF works with governments, civil society and development partners to develop policies and actions that include people with disability in all aspects of public life on an equal basis with others. PDF also works with the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, UN agencies, development partners, churches, regional civil society organisations and service providers to ensure that people with disabilities are included in national and regional plans and policies.
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Strengthening Disability Movements in the Indo-Pacific (Disability Rights Advocacy Fund)
$2.0 million, 2024 to 2025
Australia supports the Disability Rights Advocacy Fund (DRAF), a collaboration between donors and the disability community. Through grants, advocacy and technical assistance, DRAF provides a comprehensive approach to supporting the rights of people with disability through support to organisations of people with disability (OPDs) in Indonesia and the Pacific. Grants to OPDs support participation in the ratification, implementation, and monitoring of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and helps promote a rights-based approach to disability equity at community and government levels.
Related links
Disability Rights Advocacy Fund.
United Nations Global Disability Fund (previously the UN Partnership on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities)
$9.6 million, 2023 to 2025
The United Nations Global Disability Fund (GDF) is a collaboration by UN entities, governments, organisations of people with disability and the broader civil society to advance disability rights around the world. UN GDF supports implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities through coalition building and capacity development. The technical secretariat for GDF is hosted by the UN Development Programme. Australia is a member of both the GDF Policy Board and Management Committee.
Related links
Global Disability Fund - Partnership on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
Strengthening data on children with disability (UNICEF)
$2.1 million, 2024 to 2027
This project aims to strengthen the quality, availability and use of data on children with disability, with a regional focus on Southeast Asia. The project focuses on low-and middle-income countries in Southeast Asia, while also providing overall support and technical assistance to countries in other regions, including the Pacific. UNICEF works with countries in SEA on the assessment of data availability and needs, data collection, analysis, interpretation, and use.
Related links:
Children with disabilities - UNICEF DATA
Pacific Disability Statistics (The Pacific Community - SPC)
$2.5 million, 2024 to 2027
This project is a component of a broader Australian investment in SPC's Statistics for Development Division ($12.0 million, 2023 to 2027). The project aims to revitalise the Pacific Group on Disability Statistics (PGDS), chaired by SPC and the Pacific Disability Forum. It supports regional and national integration of disability considerations into statistical frameworks, policy, and practice, and boosts capacity to produce, disseminate, and use disability statistics.
Related links
Disability statistics | Statistics for Development Division
Stronger Movements, Stronger Futures
TBC, 2026 to 2031
Stronger Movements, Stronger Futures is a forthcoming flagship initiative under Australia's International Disability Equity and Rights Strategy, focussed on increasing support for organisations of people with disability (OPDs) across the Indo-Pacific. The investment will provide core funding and capacity building support to OPDs and enable their participation in national, regional and global forums. It will also foster regional and cross-movement collaboration and create new opportunities for peer-to-peer leaning – supporting a more resilient, inclusive and connected disability rights movement that is effective in securing equal opportunities and rights for all people with disability.