Disability in a Global Context
Across the world, people with disabilities face some of the most painful challenges rooted not just in their conditions, but in societal attitudes and systemic neglect. From inaccessible infrastructure to lack of inclusive education and employment, millions are denied the chance to live with dignity. One of the most heartbreaking struggles is social isolation—where disabled individuals are made to feel invisible, excluded from conversations, opportunities, and communities. Discrimination, whether subtle or outright, often silences their voices and overlooks their potential. In many places, limited access to healthcare, assistive technology, and accurate information further deepens the inequality. Yet, the most pressing challenge is the failure of society to see disability as a human rights issue, rather than a personal tragedy. True progress begins when the world stops treating disabled individuals as objects of sympathy — and starts including them as equal participants in every sphere of life.
Judith Heumann
"Disability only becomes a tragedy when society fails to provide the things we need to lead our lives.”