A Seat at the Table: Amplifying the Voices of Young People with Disabilities
Author: Nir Shrestha
Published: 2025/09/07
Publication Type: Paper, Essay
Category Topic: Blogs / Writings / Stories - Academic Publications
Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main - Insights, Updates
Synopsis: This article presents a compelling call for systemic change to ensure meaningful participation of young people with disabilities in policy-making and development initiatives. Written by disability rights activist Nir Shrestha, the piece challenges the tokenistic approach often taken toward youth with disabilities, who face dual exclusion from both mainstream disability advocacy and youth-focused programs. With an estimated 150 million young people with disabilities globally, the article outlines five concrete action steps including tailored capacity-building training, broadened exposure opportunities, accessible information systems, confidence-building support, and economic assistance.
The author draws on research from UNICEF and the International Labour Organization to demonstrate how structural barriers prevent qualified individuals from participating in opportunities, arguing that accessibility provisions should be viewed as fundamental rights rather than additional costs. This work serves as a valuable resource for policymakers, advocacy organizations, and educators seeking to understand the intersection of youth and disability rights, while offering practical guidance for creating more inclusive participation frameworks that benefit not only young people with disabilities but strengthen entire communities through diverse perspectives and contributions - Disabled World (DW).
Introduction
Every year, International Youth Day is filled with speeches and events that celebrate the potential of young people. This year's theme—"Local Youth Actions for SDGs and Beyond"—urges us to look at what youth can achieve. But let's be honest: when it comes to politics and policymaking, youth are often locked out. There are no strong, targeted policies for them. Their opinions are sidelined. Their voices are treated as decoration, not direction.
And for young people with disabilities, the door isn't just closed—it's bolted. They face exclusion in both disability rights spaces and youth empowerment agendas. This isn't an oversight; it's systemic neglect.
Main Content
This International Youth Day, as events champion the theme of "Local Youth Actions," a critical question demands our attention: Are these celebrations truly reaching and empowering young people with disabilities, a demographic often marginalized in both mainstream disability and youth-focused initiatives? This article delves into the systemic challenges faced by young people with disabilities and outlines crucial actions required for their meaningful participation in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and beyond.
The Unseen Landscape: Challenges for Young People with Disabilities
Globally, an estimated 1.3 billion people live with some form of disability. A striking 80% of these individuals reside in low- and middle-income countries. While precise global data on young people with disabilities is limited, it is widely estimated that 15% of all youth, or approximately 150 million individuals aged 15-24, live with one or more disabilities.
Despite growing global discourse around disability and youth, truly intersectional discussions that address the unique challenges of young people with disabilities remain rare. They are frequently excluded from both mainstream disability advocacy platforms and youth-centric programs, leading to their specific concerns being overlooked and unaddressed.
Meaningful and inclusive participation of young people with disabilities in decision-making is yet to be systematically embedded. Far too often, their involvement is relegated to tokenism, or, in some cases, manipulative gestures that fail to genuinely incorporate their perspectives.
These young individuals confront a myriad of barriers: pervasive social stigma, inaccessible physical environments, limited educational opportunities, and restricted access to vital information and professional networks. At the same time, mainstream agencies often perceive them as passive recipients of services, inadvertently amplifying narratives of vulnerability rather than recognizing their inherent potential and capabilities. The prevailing notion that accessibility provisions and reasonable accommodations are "extra costs" rather than fundamental rights has significantly hindered many young people with disabilities from stepping forward, developing essential skills, and competing on an equal footing.
A Call to Action: Empowering Through Structural Change
This International Youth Day serves as a powerful reminder for all relevant agencies to take concrete actions to ensure the genuine participation and engagement of young people with disabilities. Amplifying their unheard voices necessitates not only individual empowerment but also fundamental structural changes within our systems and societies.
Here are five key actions crucial for achieving this:
1. Tailored Capacity-Building Training
Young people with disabilities represent a highly diverse group, each with unique needs and learning styles. Therefore, capacity-building training must be tailor-made and developed in close consultation with participants themselves. Both targeted and inclusive training approaches should be adopted. For instance, young people with intellectual disabilities may initially benefit from dedicated training to familiarize themselves with certain issues before transitioning to inclusive sessions with appropriate support. This ensures that training is relevant, accessible, and truly empowering.
2. Broadening Exposure Opportunities
Many young people with disabilities remain confined to limited social circles, with scarce opportunities to connect with broader networks. Offering exposure opportunities aligned with their interests and career aspirations can profoundly expand their horizons, facilitate peer learning, and enable them to contribute more effectively to community and national development. A 2023 UNICEF study found that young people with disabilities who participated in structured mentorship programs reported a 35% increase in self-confidence and a 25% improvement in networking skills compared to their peers who did not.
3. Ensuring Accessible Information and Processes
A significant barrier to participation lies in the inaccessibility of information and application processes for various opportunities. Career opportunities—whether volunteer positions, fellowships, internships, or traineeships—are frequently presented in formats that are inaccessible from the outset. Information is rarely provided in alternative formats (e.g., Braille, large print, plain language, sign language videos). Furthermore, application forms are often unnecessarily complex. A recent survey by the International Labour Organization (ILO) revealed that over 60% of job advertisements globally do not mention accessibility provisions or offer reasonable accommodations, effectively excluding qualified candidates with disabilities from even applying. These systemic barriers must be dismantled.
4. Nurturing Self-Esteem and Confidence
Fear of discrimination, social exclusion, and a perceived limited capacity often discourages young people with disabilities from actively participating in public life and civic engagement. Building and nurturing their self-esteem and confidence is paramount. This can be achieved through peer support groups, mentorship, positive reinforcement, and celebrating their achievements.
5. Providing Economic Support
Many young people with disabilities face significant economic hardship, often compounded by the additional expenses associated with their disability (e.g., assistive devices, transportation, specialized care). Providing financial support for engagement and empowerment activities can be a game-changer. This could include stipends for participation in training, reimbursement for transportation costs to events, or support for acquiring essential tools. Such support enables them to make informed decisions and explore opportunities without financial constraints.
From Inclusion to Power
This is not about inviting youth with disabilities to sit politely at the edge of the table. It's about giving them the mandate to shape the table itself—deciding its size, its purpose, and who gets to be there.
Because a future built without them is a future already broken.
So the question this International Youth Day is not "How can we include them?" but: When will we hand over the mic, the pen, and the power?
About the Author
Nir Shrestha is currently working as the Director at the Blind Youth Association Nepal. He is pursuing a master's degree in Conflict, Peace, and Development Studies at Tribhuvan University. His activism spans disability inclusion, digital accessibility, youth leadership, Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE), and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR).