Globally, there’s a lack of accurate data on disability. But we’re helping to change this by collecting, analysing and using inclusive data, ensuring no one is left behind.
Inclusive data at Sightsavers
Inclusive data is vital for achieving Sightsavers’ vision and mission. It enables us to better understand the people we work with, how they are marginalised and the issues that prevent them being included.
Using inclusive data, together we can work to remove these barriers and improve access to services and opportunities so everyone can enjoy their human rights.
In the countries where Sightsavers works, we partner with governments and other organisations to advocate for inclusive data and improve the way it is collected, analysed and used.
We’re proud to have co-founded the Inclusive Data Charter (IDC), a global initiative to mobilise political commitments and create meaningful actions that improve inclusive and disaggregated data. In our first IDC action plan, published in 2018, Sightsavers made seven commitments to advance our work on inclusive data.
In our updated action plan for 2024-2027, we’re boosting our commitments to inclusive data in line with our strategies on health and inclusion. This action plan, alongside our updated vision and approach, was published in November 2023.
What is inclusive data?
Inclusive data is representative of all people, especially those that are underrepresented or marginalised.
At Sightsavers, inclusive data means collecting, analysing and using data that is broken down (or ‘disaggregated’) by disability, sex and age, while also bringing in dimensions such as geography, wealth and poverty, where relevant and valuable.
Click to read Inclusive Data Charter Action Plan 2024-27
View the easy read version
Click to read Click to read our vision and approach to inclusive data
View the easy read version
Sightsavers’ inclusive data objectives
1. Knowledge
We will continue to improve internal knowledge and practice, to strengthen evidence and our learning on how we collect, analyse and use inclusive data.
2. Partnership
We will work with partners to increase awareness and the capacity to collect, analyse and use inclusive data, to improve the way services are delivered.
3. Accountability
We will diversify resource mobilisation, engage new supporters, and strengthen our accountability and reporting to meet our commitments to inclusive data.
4. Advocacy
We will continue to advocate for governments and development organisations to improve their policies, systems and processes to use inclusive data effectively.
Read about our work
Sightsavers launches new action plan on inclusive data
The updated plan reaffirms Sightsavers' commitment to enhancing inclusive data and collaboration in the international development sector.
November 2023
Lifting the rock on inclusive data: Sightsavers and the Inclusive Data Charter
We spoke to Dominic Haslam, Sightsavers’ director of policy and programme strategy, about the launch of our second Inclusive Data Charter Action Plan and how it reaffirms our commitment to inclusive data.
Sightsavers, November 2023
Inclusive data and Sightsavers: an ongoing journey
Five years since the creation of the Inclusive Data Charter, we’re updating our goals and commitments on inclusive data. So what are our key learnings?
Tichafara Chisaka, July 2023
On data and disability: piloting the Child Functioning Module in Nigerian schools
Sightsavers’ Liesbeth Roolvink and Gillian Mackay share learnings from the SMILE project in Nigeria, where a new questionnaire is being used in schools to assess children’s educational needs.
Sightsavers, February 2023
Senegal launches action plan to collect high-quality inclusive data
The initiative outlines the steps needed to ensure that people with disabilities are represented in official data, which will inform the government’s planning and monitoring.
December 2022
Data Values campaign: why we must act now to create a fair data future
Sightsavers' Tichafara Chisaka explains how the campaign aims to transform data in the development community and why it closely aligns with our inclusion work.
Tichafara Chisaka, September 2022
How can inclusive data advocacy help us to achieve the SDGs?
Sightsavers’ Aissata Ndiaye and Tichafara Chisaka share some lessons on inclusive data advocacy based on our experiences in Pakistan, Cameroon and Senegal.
Sightsavers, July 2022
Data and the Global Disability Summit: how to make sure commitments lead to change
Sightsavers' Tichafara Chisaka explains how the upcoming summit presents an opportunity to step up our efforts and make progress on disability inclusion.
Tichafara Chisaka, February 2022
Advancing disability data in Kenya through partnership
Sightsavers worked with the Kenyan government and partners to create the country’s first inclusive data action plan, which will help collect high-quality data about people with disabilities and the barriers they face.
Moses Chege, December 2021
“Inclusive data enables us to understand the barriers to inclusion so that we can do everything we can to address them.”
Dominic Haslam, deputy CEO, Sightsavers
Tools and resources
Disability inclusion in the eye health sector: 2021 learning brief
This brief outlines disability inclusion in Pakistan’s eye health sector, including key initiatives, learnings and recommendations.
Read the brief: disability inclusion (pdf)
Sustainable Development Goals in Pakistan: 2021 learning brief
This brief outlines how Sightsavers is supporting the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals in Pakistan, working with local and federal partners to ensure that people with disabilities are included in policy development and represented in data.
Read the brief: SDGs in Pakistan (pdf)
Political participation in West Africa: the effective participation of men and women with disabilities
This baseline study, a population-based cross-sectional survey, examined the differences between people with and without disabilities relating to their political participation in Cameroon and Senegal. It generated evidence to inform Sightsavers’ programmes and extended partners; including but not limited to governments and others working in the area of disability.
Visit the political participation project page
Rapid assessments of avoidable blindness (RAABs) in various countries
Compared to large-scale epidemiological surveys, RAABs are a relatively quick and resource-light tool to help programme managers understand the scale and type of visual impairment affecting the population they are responsible for. Once armed with this information, they can plan services in a way that best meets the need of the population.
Visit the RAAB project page
Want to learn more about our work?
Sightsavers and disability rights