Center for Inclusive Policy - CIP

We’ve officially closed applications for the next round of the CIP Fellowship for emerging researchers with disabilities, and we received more than 1,000 applications, a huge increase from previous years!

We knew there would be strong interest, but the number and quality of the applications really surprised us. There are so many thoughtful, experienced and genuinely impressive people in this group, which makes the next part especially difficult: we only have three fellowship spots available.

So, thank you for your patience while we go through every application carefully. We want to give them the attention they deserve, and we’ll share the final selection on our social media channels and website once the process is complete.

If you’d like to hear about the selected Fellows, future fellowship opportunities, and other CIP news, you can also subscribe to our newsletter and get updates directly in your inbox: https://inclusive-policy.org/subscribe/

A large disability budget does not automatically mean greater inclusion. Total figures can hide critical questions: What is the money funding? Does it support inclusion or reinforce segregation? And is it actually being spent?

India’s 2023-24 disability budget shows why disaggregating the numbers matters. While significant funding was allocated, most went to cash transfers, some supported segregated settings, and nearly USD 10 million for assistive devices went unspent in a single year.

Budget analysis must look beyond how much is allocated. It must examine where the money goes, who benefits, and whether spending advances the rights of persons with disabilities.

Read the full breakdown on our website: https://inclusive-policy.org/statistic-of-the-month/disability-budget-analysis-india/

Worldwide, road traffic accidents (RTAs) are the eighth leading cause of death and the leading killer of children and young adults. An additional 50 million people are seriously injured each year. In this article, we argue that RTAs are also a leading (although rarely acknowledged) cause of disability in low- and middle-income countries.

The road traffic safety community pays little attention to people disabled in road traffic accidents once they leave medical or rehabilitative care. Disability policy, advocacy, and research groups rarely consider people disabled in RTAs as a discrete subgroup within the disability community. Furthermore, the costs and consequences of RTA-related disability are greatly underestimated.

A scoping review and interviews with prominent road traffic safety and disability experts identified major conceptual gaps between the two fields, including in how people disabled in road traffic accidents are identified, followed, and provided with the services and support they need. The current lack of joined-up thinking around those who survive an RTA with a disability represents a missed opportunity to address this major global health concern more systematically.

Swipe through our carousel for a quick overview, and read the full report to learn more: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S027795362600239X?via%3Dihub

A new study using the Child Functioning Module shows how children’s difficulties cluster into clear profiles, helping us see who’s being left out, and why it matters.

CIP was honored to contribute to the study, “New approaches to categorising childhood disability: an international comparative analysis of the UNICEF/Washington Group Child Functioning Module,” by Carlo Tramontano and colleagues.

Read the full article on ScienceDirect: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1936657425000834

Applications are now open for the next group of CIP Fellows! If you are ready to take your ideas, questions, and lived experience, and turn them into meaningful disability rights research, this program is for you.

The CIP Fellowship Program is a funded, fully online, 12-month opportunity for emerging researchers with disabilities in low- and middle-income countries to develop their own research projects, rooted in their local contexts and lived experiences.

Applicants must be at least 18 years old, and there is no upper age limit. What matters is that they meet the essential requirements, are early in their research careers, and are eager to grow as part of a global community working toward disability inclusion and rights.

Share it with emerging researchers with disabilities who may be interested in applying!

Applications will be accepted until July 31, 2026, at midnight EDT. You can learn more about the program and the application process at the following link: https://inclusive-policy.org/fellowship/

*Spoken proficiency in English is not required for sign language users, for whom interpretation will be available.

Accessibility is often seen as too expensive. But the evidence tells a different story.

In fact, when accessibility is built in from the start, it adds little to no extra cost.

Learn more in our Stat of the Month article: https://inclusive-policy.org/data/cost-of-accessibility/

What does it take to make social protection systems truly inclusive of persons with disabilities?

In the third episode of the Social Inclusion Series, produced by socialprotection.org, our Senior Associate Abner Manlapaz joined the conversation to explore how systems across Asia-Pacific can better respond to the intersecting barriers faced by persons with disabilities, from inaccessible environments and stigma to the high costs of healthcare, assistive technologies, and care.

The discussion also highlighted the importance of “cash-plus” approaches, which go beyond income support by connecting people with the services and supports they need.

At a time when organizations of persons with disabilities around the world are facing growing funding pressures, how development resources are allocated matters more than ever.

Persons with disabilities across the Global South continue to face widespread inequalities. ODA can play an important role in addressing them, not on its own, but alongside government investment.

CIP’s latest Policy Brief in the Disability Policy Insights series, led by Polly Meeks, looks at what needs to change and sets out practical recommendations for governments and donors seeking to align ODA with the CRPD. In the accompanying four-minute video, Polly breaks down the key takeaways.

As the sector reflects on priorities and resources following , this is a conversation worth continuing.

Find the video on our YouTube channel and read the brief on our website. Share your thoughts.

**Special thanks to María Antonella Pereira for her collaboration too.

CIP is happy to announce that applications are now open for our next group of fellows!

The CIP Fellowship Program is a fully online, 12-month opportunity for emerging researchers with disabilities in low- and middle-income countries to develop their own research projects based on their local contexts.

Applicants must be at least 18 years old. There is no upper age limit: what matters is that they meet the essential requirements, are early in their research careers, demonstrate a strong commitment to disability inclusion and rights, and are eager to grow.

Here's what we offer:

- A monthly stipend of $1,000 for 12 months
- Up to $2,000 for fieldwork costs or further training/conferences
- Reasonable accommodation costs necessary to facilitate participation will also be covered
- An online training curriculum, led by leading researchers
- A mentor to guide your research
- And access to a global network of alumni

Research areas include disability data, social protection, care & support, inclusive budgeting, community support systems, and independent living.

Applications will be accepted until July 31, 2026, at midnight EDT. You can learn more about the program and the application process on our website: https://inclusive-policy.org/fellowship/

*Spoken proficiency in English is not required for sign language users, for whom interpretation will be available.

At a time when organizations of persons with disabilities around the world are facing growing funding pressures, how development resources are allocated matters more than ever.

Persons with disabilities across the Global South continue to face widespread inequalities. ODA can play an important role in addressing them, not on its own, but alongside government investment.

CIP’s latest Policy Brief in the Disability Policy Insights series, led by Polly Meeks, looks at what needs to change and sets out practical recommendations for governments and donors seeking to align ODA with the CRPD.

In the accompanying four-minute video, Polly breaks down the key takeaways.

As the sector reflects on priorities and resources following , this is a conversation worth continuing.

Watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIJaC6Q7oKI

Read the brief:https://inclusive-policy.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/ODA.pdf

Share your thoughts.

OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE (ODA): Disability Policy Insights 5 Official Development Assistance (ODA) is a resource mandated to “pr...