Employment

Our employment programmes provide vocational and skills training to people with disabilities, so they are able to find work and be financially independent.

Image © Sightsavers/Ninth Wonder Productions

It’s estimated that 80 per cent of people with disabilities in low and middle income countries are not in employment.

People with disabilities are less likely to escape poverty, as their chances to earn a living are limited by stigma, discrimination and a lack of accessible workplaces. To break this cycle, it’s vital for people with disabilities to be empowered and financially independent.

Sightsavers supports people with disabilities, particularly women and young people, to gain training and skills and build their confidence so they can get a job or start or grow a business. We also work with businesses to help them to hire inclusively and foster more accessible workplaces and supply chains.

Over the past decade, Sightsavers has led successful economic empowerment programmes across sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, working with some of the world’s leading companies to bridge the gap between employers and jobseekers with disabilities. Our goal is to show that people with disabilities can be valued, productive employees and to provide them with sustainable access to work.

Want to talk to us about partnerships and collaboration? Email [email protected]

Eunice sits on the ground next to field where she's warming sorghum. A pair of crutches are lying next to her.

Inclusive Futures’ Global Labor Program

Sightsavers leads this Inclusive Futures initiative in Kenya, supporting people with disabilities, particularly women, to work in the agricultural supply and retail distribution chains of two large beverage companies.

Visit Inclusive Futures

My confidence level grew from what it was. I knew I was really prepared after the academy.

Fiona, IT Bridge Academy graduate
A seated woman who wears spectacles.

How employment opportunities can change lives

Maryanne stands outside the UN building in New York during COSP-18.

Maryanne’s story

Maryanne is excelling in her career at United Disabled Persons of Kenya after joining two Sightsavers programmes that helped to boost her employability skills.
Read Maryanne’s story

IT Bridge Academy graduate Lyne stands with her arms crossed.

Lyne’s story

From the classroom of the IT Bridge Academy to a career in the tech industry, Lyne shares how she overcame barriers and disability discrimination to secure her dream job.
Read Lyne’s story

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View our employment reports and strategies

Employment resources

More about our employment work

Joe smiles at the camera.
Sightsavers blog

Why there can be no disability justice without labour justice

Significant progress is still needed to tackle longstanding inequalities and wage gaps for people with disabilities. Here’s how Sightsavers is taking action.

Joe Buckley, May 2025
A portrait image of Sarah smiling.
Sightsavers blog

Women with disabilities must be involved in planning economic empowerment programmes

Sightsavers’ Sarah Wang’ombe shares what we’ve learned about running effective programmes.

Sarah Wang’ombe, March 2025
Lydia, an IT Bridge Academy graduate, smiles while standing in front of the Kenyan flag.
Sightsavers stories
Stories / Disability and inclusion /

“Women don’t get easy access to employment opportunities”

Lydia is a graduate of Sightsavers’ IT Bridge Academy and a disability rights activist. She works in the executive office of the president of Kenya.