Nurdin with his friends, Zebedayo (left) and Salma (right) during breaktime.

Our impact 2021

Our impact report provides a snapshot of the things we have achieved together and the stories of just some of the 435,645 people and organisations we reached over the past year.

None of this would have been possible without you – our amazing supporters, donors and partners. In a year that has been extremely challenging for all, your support has allowed us to adapt to change and continue to have a real impact on the lives of thousands of people with disabilities around the world.

Live

Disabled people represent at least 15% of the world’s population, who are often excluded from opportunity. Our approach is to promote greater independence and choice, introducing pioneering technology, working with governments and providing life-changing social care.

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Staff at ARBI in PPE

Supporting disabled people through our care services

We support 2,587 people every day through our care services in the UK.

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Gloucestershire House Supported Living resident Kay Torres and physiotherapist Piers Baker

Supporting disabled people to get active

We supported 2,936 disabled people to get active through our inclusive cycling, physical activity and dance programmes in the UK.

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Pete in his wheelchair getting off a train without a ramp

Campaigning for accessible transport

Our transport campaign reached 15.5 million people, with 64 stories placed in the media.

Having someone to talk to

During the pandemic, we worked hard to support people across the country virtually, even if we couldn’t see them in person. On returning home from hospital following a second stroke in April 2020 Christine worked hard to regain her skills, supported all the way by us.

They phoned me every week since the beginning of lockdown. They sent me an exercise programme, with one of the team demonstrating the moves, which made it so easy to follow.

"At the start of lockdown, I wore a size 18 but am now down to a size 12. As well as the weekly Zoom keep fit class, they invited me to join weekly discussion groups, which has widened my social circle.

"It helps to keep me sane knowing that if I am feeling low I’m welcome to give them a call."

Three people on a zoom call

Work

Our UK and international employment programmes support people with disabilities towards employment. We provide careers advice, training, paid internships and support to become self-employed.

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Man in a barber chair with Jane shaving his head in her salon

Supporting disabled people to access employment

We supported 22,152 people with disabilities to seek employment in the UK, Africa and Asia.

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Group of people sitting around a table looking at a whiteboard

Creating inclusive workplaces

We trained 3,401 government representatives, employers, members of organisations of persons with disabilities and other key players on inclusive employment.

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A woman sitting in a chair chatting to someone off camera and smiling

Campaigning for disabled people's right to access employment

We reached almost 45 million people through our ‘Locked out of the labour market’ report and media activities.

Thriving in the workplace

Ray took part in our Change 100 programme in Summer 2020, with an internship at the National Lottery Heritage Fund. They told us about their experience:

I cannot adequately express how Change 100 has changed my life. I was fearful that my future employers would not understand the changes I would require due to my mental health conditions. But Change 100’s monthly professional development sessions helped build my confidence around having a disability in the workplace.

"While it would have been nice to have physically gone to my place of work, I actually found homeworking really beneficial. I learnt more about how I best work. Without Change 100, I would have gone into the labour market not knowing about the adjustments I need and how to access them. I would have burnt myself out quickly and believed that it was because I was not good enough at the job. But my internship showed me that I am capable, and to my surprise, I thrive in the workplace.

Ray standing on a beach smiling

Learn

Our learning and skills development programmes in the UK can be a lifeline for people with disabilities. Internationally, we work to ensure that no child is denied education or skills training.

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Three young girls outside a school laughing together

Supporting children with disabilities to access education

We supported 11,023 children with disabilities to get an education in India and across Africa.

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Vicres standing next to a teacher at a desk, they're both looking at a book

Working with schools

We trained 2,916 teachers, government representatives, members of organisations of persons with disabilities and other key players on inclusive education.

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Avina Amos surrounded by his classmates, pushing his wheelchair

Supporting communities

We trained 3,426 parents and male mentors on inclusive education.

Forming friendships

In Tanzania, our child-to-child clubs has been life-changing for Julia and Valentina. Julia has a disability and stigma and misconceptions about this had made it hard for her to make friends.

The child-to-child clubs encourage children with disabilities to socialise and support each other. They also offer a great environment to learn more about inclusion and the importance of equal rights for all children.

Since attending the club at their school Julia and Valentina have become close friends. They do their homework together and play together outside school. Julia is very bright and helps Valentina academically. Valentina makes sure Julia is included in school activities. Their friendship has also shown the rest of the community the importance of inclusion, and that children with disabilities should not be left out.

Two young girls sitting outside school eating ice lollies, one is in a wheelchair.

Find out more about our work