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Not on the guest list: people with disabilities and the Millennium Development Goals

When world leaders established the eight MDGs for reducing poverty, they left out one in five of the world’s poorest people.

This is not as surprising as it sounds. People with disabilities have consistently faced discrimination and disadvantage, which is why 82% of those with disabilities live below the poverty line and comprise one of the largest single groups of excluded and chronically poor people in the world.

This paper sets out the context for addressing disability in the MDGs. It highlights the growing international momentum for including disability in development and makes recommendations on how donors, partner governments and civil society can include people with disabilities in the global drive to achieve the MDGs.

Want to read more about our work?

Sightsavers and disability rights
Mariana Rudge.
Sightsavers blog

Moving from intention to action is key to inclusive education for all

Following the Global Disability Summit, Sightsavers and the Global Partnership for Education share how world leaders can achieve quality schooling for children with disabilities.

Sightsavers, May 2025
A woman smiles at the camera.
Sightsavers blog

How we’re working towards a society that respects the rights of women with disabilities

In Ghana, we’ve launched a programme to strengthen the civil society representation of women with disabilities and help break down barriers to inclusion.

Ruth Atengdem, May 2025
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