Breaking New Ground: A Global Push for Disability Inclusion in Eye Health

At this year’s #2030InSight conference in Nepal, the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) launched its first ever Disability Inclusion Member Engagement Group – a milestone moment in the global movement for inclusive eye health.

People with disabilities represent roughly 16% of the world’s population, yet they continue to face significant barriers in accessing equitable, quality eye care. This new group brings together passionate individuals and organisations from across the sector to change that.

Lisa Johnson, Global Equity and Inclusion Lead at The Fred Hollows Foundation led the application to IAPB for the group’s formation, with the strong backing of Sightsavers International, Light for the World, CBM International, Vision 2020, and CBM Global. We wanted to create a dedicated space for collaboration, where we can pool resources, share tools and collectively tackle common challenges that hinder progress toward disability-inclusive eye health.

During our inaugural meeting in Kathmandu, around 40 representatives gathered to share insights, identify shared obstacles, and begin shaping the group’s first work plan. Key issues emerged around partner capacity building, data collection and use, and ensuring accessible infrastructure and communications. What was most exciting was the strong collective will to move forward together. Already, 20 members have joined, and nominations for the group’s chair are about to open.

This isn’t just a talking shop. The group is about action – working together so no one is left behind on the journey to 2030. We know that 90% of vision loss is preventable, and we also recognise the importance of tailored support for those living with permanent visual impairments. That’s why embedding disability inclusion into mainstream eye health programming is not just good practice, it’s essential.

The launch of this group is more than a new initiative. It’s a signal of the sector’s readiness to build more inclusive systems, share learning, and create meaningful change for people with disabilities around the world.

If you’re working in eye health and would like to stay informed or get involved, we’d love to hear from you. Please contact [email protected] to join the conversation and help shape the agenda for this new and exciting group.

Together, we can transform eye health into a field where accessibility, equity, and inclusion are the norm, not the exception.