GDS 2025 program

Side Event 1

Ensuring income security for persons with disabilities: the role of disability-specific social security benefits and their feasibility in low- and middle-income countries.
Organized by: The Higher Council for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (HCD), Jordan, Shamil Technical Facility

Side Event 2

Building Disability-Inclusive Resilience in the Sahel
Organized by: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), World Food Programme (WFP), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)

Side Event 3

Deaf Indigenous women’s access to health: the power of citizen data and culturally designed training on SRHR
Organized by: World Federation of the Deaf (WFD)

Side Event 4

Fostering Inclusive Democratic Cultures Through the Leadership of Persons with Disabilities 
Organized by: International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES)

Side Event 5

Inclusive Employment in the Arab Region: Challenges and Policy Recommendations
Organized by: Executive Bureau – Council of Ministers of Labour and Social Affairs in GCC (GCCLSA); International Labour Organization (ILO); United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA); United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA); International Disability Alliance (IDA); Arab Organization of Persons with Disabilities (AOPD); The Higher Council for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (HCD); League of Arab States

Side Event 6

Closing the gap: six principles to achieve inclusive development
Organized by: Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), Sightsavers, International Disability Alliance, United Disabled Persons of Kenya, Network of Women with Disabilities, BBC

Side Event 7

Realizing Commitments to Disability Inclusive Humanitarian Action – the Role of Financing 
Organized by: Disability Reference Group (DRG)

Side Event 8

How to pursue systemic change for inclusive education?
Organized by: World Bank, The Scottish Government

Side Event 9

Innovate for Inclusion: Breaking Barriers in Ukraine
Organized by: German Platform for the Reconstruction of Ukraine, UNDP Ukraine

Side Event 10

AI for development: bridging the barrier between non-standard speech and the use of Automatic Speech Recognition
Organized by: Google, Global Disability Innovation Hub, Centre for Digital Language Inclusion

Side Event 11

Advancing disability-inclusive development through intensified parliamentary engagement & parliamentary networks
Organized by: CBM Christoffel-Blindenmission Christian Blind Mission e.V. and International Disability Alliance

Nothing Without Us: Stories of Pacific Resilience 

Pacific Islands Forum 

Boosting the Nairobi Declaration – Alliancing for African Inclusive Development

African Disability Forum & BRIDGE Africa project, implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)

The Intersection of Ageing and Disability

HelpAge International

Intersectionality in Action: LGBTQIA+ Voices on Disability Inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction, with Inclusive Rainbow Voices

Inclusive Rainbow Voices

Bridging the Inclusion Gap in international mobility and academic exchange

German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)

TBD

Young Women and Men with Disabilities Driving Economic Inclusion Through the ‘We Can Work’ Program

African Disability Forum (ADF)

TAF Africa Disability Inclusion forum

TAF Africa & Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction & Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB)

Driving Disability Inclusion in companies: The Role of Performance Indicators and Regulatory Corporate Sustainability Reporting

Dialoghaus Hamburg gGmbH, Germany & myAbility Social Enterprise GmbH, Austria

The Future of work is accessible: Building a Gen-AI-Powered inclusive Workplace

Atos

Autistic Community through Advocacy: The ACTIVATE Project

Directorate for Disability Issues – Ministry for Inclusion and the Voluntary Sector – Malta 

Empowering Voices: Advancing Disability Inclusion in DRR and Climate Action in the Arab States 

United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction

A Barrier-Free Jordan

Organized by: The Higher Council for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (HCD)

As the lead on all technical and logistical preparations on behalf of the GDS 2025 co-host in Jordan, the Higher Council for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities will participate in the activities of the Global Disability Summit 2025 with an exhibition for the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan titled A Barrier-Free Jordan. The exhibition will focus on displaying the best practices and pioneering projects in the field of supporting and promoting the rights of persons with disabilities in various fields in partnership with a group of governmental institutions and private sector corporations. A group of videos, photos, brochures and replica for unique historical and archeological pieces will also be displayed, reflecting the experience of these institutions in piloting inclusive projects for persons with disabilities in order to raise awareness and encourage civil society institutions and the private sector entities to move forward in the disability-inclusive agenda in a variety of fields.

visitBerlin

Organized by: visitBerlin

visitBerlin is dedicated to making Berlin an inclusive and accessible destination. Our key actions include information and inspiration, collaboration with “Tourism for all”, awareness and training as well as building a network for accessibility within Berlin.

UN Global Disability Fund (UN GDF)

Organized by: UN Global Disability Fund (UN GDF)

The UN Global Disability Fund’s booth will exhibit the important work of UN GDF advancing multi-stakeholder, country-led disability inclusion around the world. The booth will feature experts, case studies, and information on initiatives from UN GDF and its partners in the following areas: inclusive and resilient cities; capacity building and evidence; CSOs; and GDF’s new strategy. Visit us to talk to UN GDF colleagues and our partners, and to learn more about our work.

Global Disability Innovation Hub: accelerating ideas into impact for a more just world

Organized by: Global Disability Innovation Hub

The exhibition will showcase pioneering global programmes, innovative tech development and research, and how our diverse portfolio enables rapid translation of research into practice. We’ll share key resources and knowledge products for the wider sector, alongside our collaborations with global institutions, business and tech to drive change. Tangible, real-world examples of disability innovation will sit alongside evidence and insights lead by academic excellence as we showcase our vision for disability inclusion and social justice.

Accessibility 2030 Pavilion: Collaborative Pathways to Inclusive Cities

Organized by: Global Disability Innovation Hub, UNHabitat, UN Global Disability Fund (UN GDF), World Blind Union (WBU)

At this GDS booth, GDI Hub will lead the Accessibility 2030 initiative in partnership with the UK AID funded AT2030 programme, the Global Disability Fund, UNHabitat and World Blind Union. These partnerships ensure that a diversity of voices and expertise is showcased, emphasizing the power of collective action. Together, the partners will present projects and tools that advance accessibility in cities. The exhibition is a continuation of the Accessibility 2030 initiative, where we brought together 15 partners at World Urban Forum in Cairo, Egypt in November. The booth will feature a collaborative showcase of innovations, case studies, and tools aimed at addressing urban accessibility challenges. The content will be tailored to engage visitors, fostering dialogue on how we can work together to make our cities more inclusive.

This is what inclusion looks like

Organized by: Inclusive futures

In the five countries where we work, there are now more children with disabilities learning at school, more entrepreneurs with disabilities earning a living, and more people with accessing the health care they need, and living their lives free from discrimination. This is what inclusion looks like. Visit our booth to connect with our consortium and OPD partners, explore key insights from our programme such as the six principles for inclusive development, and access memorable stories with our collection of postcards and videos. You can also pledge your support to future generations by signing our open letter on inclusive education and be part of the movement for change. Together, we can close the gap, target inequality and build a more equal world!

Private sector contributions to the Global Disability Agenda through the lever of International Cooperation

Organized by: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH

The exhibition booth showcases multi-stakeholder project examples in training and employing persons with disabilities (PWDs). The GIZ cooperates with companies and TVET institutions in GIZ partner countries such as Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana and Vietnams in sectors like Textiles, Mobility, Digital Services. The booth highlights international cooperation activities and inclusion champions supporting rights and inclusion for PWDs that contribute to systemic change in alignment with international laws and sustainable development goals.

Youth-led Initiatives for Empowering Young People with Disabilities to Enjoy their Political and Social rights

Organized by: Blind Youth Association Nepal (BYAN)

BYAN is showcasing a diverse range of accessible IEC materials in our exhibition, which we have been using to promote inclusive sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and the political participation of persons with disabilities. Our display includes Easy-to-Read CSE Flipcharts, Picture Exchange Communication (PEC) materials, and Tactile Models related to Reproductive Health and Family Planning. Visitors can also explore SRHR-related Nepali Sign Language videos and the accessible mobile application “Hami” for SRHR. Additionally, we are presenting our best practices through posters and videos.

Inclusion is a Right: Speech Therapy & Economic Empowerment for Special Needs Children in Ghana

Organized by: Affinity Access International (AAI)

Experience an exclusive 3D preview of Kumasi’s Therapy & Vocational Hub, a catalyst for nationwide change. Learn how this facility will:
• Train 100 rural therapists annually to staff mobile units reaching remote areas.
• Deliver speech therapy and vocational programs to 100,000 rural and urban special needs children by 2035.
• Partner with KNUST to provide practical training for graduate students aspiring to be Speech-Language Pathologists
Join us in ensuring no child’s potential is limited by geography.

Inclusion Next Generation: Ghanaian and German Highschool Cooperation promotes implementation of Inclusive Design and Barrier free Systems

Organized by: Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences (Frankfurt UAS), U!REKA European University in cooperation with the KWAME Nkrumah University of Science and Technology; Kumasi, Ghana

Ghanaian and German University Cooperation promotes implementation of Inclusive Design and Barrier free Systems The interdisciplinary master’s programme ‘Inclusive Design’ at Frankfurt UAS and the ‘College of Art and Built Environment’ at KNUST have been collaborating for many years. Since 2011, the Ghanaian and German teachers and students have been working together to develop and research inclusive solutions for the implementation of inclusive design and barrier-free systems. The aim is to design liveable environments that take equal account of spatial, technical and social aspects. Concretely, a first joint Guideline was published for Ghanaian vocational institutions in 2022: ‘Inclusive Architectural Design Concepts and Strategies for Technical Vocational Education Training’. As part of the GDS, best-practice examples of the different activities of our international university cooperation, the respective study programmes of the two universities involved and the Guideline will be presented as a contribution to the obligation to implement Inclusion. You can look forward to more information, documentation and possible dialogue at the booth.

Restoring Hope: Jordan’s Initiative to Support Amputees

Organized by: Restoring Hope Society

Restoring Hope Society’s exhibition showcases the prosthetic technology used in its areas of operations. The prostheses are developed by UK-based companies Koalaa (upper limbs) and Amparo (lower limbs), and are currently being used to treat amputees in Gaza, who are estimated to number over 16,000. Visit the exhibition to find out how you can contribute to supporting amputees in Gaza.

Weaving Intersectional Inclusion: Innovative & Collaborative Tools for Economic and Equitable inclusion in Pakistan’s community and workplaces

Organized by: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH

Our exhibition showcases innovative efforts to promote diversity and disability inclusion across workplaces, education, and healthcare in Pakistan. Through GIZ-WE and the Employers Federation, the Pakistan Business and Disability Network (PBDN) drives job fairs, policy dialogues, and employer sensitization. GIZ’s PST and GPI projects provide e-learning to help businesses adopt inclusive practices, while success stories from Soorty Textiles, Intermarket Knit, and Deaf Reach demonstrate inclusive hiring in action. GIZ-EHS further strengthens inclusion by improving access to education and healthcare. Together, these initiatives create equitable opportunities for all!

Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung e.V.

Organized by: Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung e.V.

For every citizen, Art. 25 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights protects the right to vote, to be elected and to be part of public affairs. Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung, together with its OPD partners who are coming to Berlin from the PR China, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, Mongolia, Namibia, and Spain are showcasing at the exhibition booth best-practices of political participation on national level and through international cooperation. We want to engage with GDS participants to learn about their experiences, their activities and achievements which allow us to strive together for better opportunities for persons with disabilities to engage politically.

Listen Include Respect: Guidelines for Inclusive Participation

Organized by: Down Syndrome International and Inclusion International

This exhibition profiles Listen Include Respect, the first international guidelines for organisations on inclusive participation for people with intellectual disabilities. The guidelines contain information on how to make any organisation inclusive – with guidance on ways to improve communication, provide good support, develop inclusive meetings, consultations and activities, employ people, and foster leadership. Visitors to the exhibition booth can learn about the guidelines, get information on how to apply them in their organisations, and get advice people with intellectual disabilities directly about how to include them in the work of the organisation.

TBC

Organized by: TBC

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Organized by: TBC

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Organized by: TBC

Global Disability Inclusion Report

Organized by: UNICEF

Exhibition description (TBC)

The Future of Disability Rights is Feminist: Gender on the Agenda at GDS

Organized by: Women Enabled International

As feminists with disabilities and allies, we believe that it is essential that Gender is on the Agenda in disability rights spaces like the Global Disability Summit. This booth will serve as a community space for feminists with disabilities and allies at GDS and as a hub for conversation about rights at the intersection of gender and disability, what it means to be a feminist with disabilities, and how to support feminist disabled leadership. The booth will feature the work of Women Enabled International, other organizations led by feminists with disabilities, and GDS commitment makers whose work prioritizes rights at the intersection of gender and disability.

Wansolwara Pacific

Organized by: Pacific Islands Forum

The exhibition booth will highlight the strides made in disability inclusion across the 18 countries of the Pacific. It will feature a range of multimedia and printed materials to engage visitors and raise awareness about the initiatives and achievements in promoting an inclusive society. The booth will be designed to be accessible and welcoming to all visitors, including those with disabilities.

TBC

Organized by: TBC

Exhibition description (TBC)

Target Inequality

Organized by: Sightsavers

Disability rights are human rights — so why can’t millions of people with disabilities access theirs? Visit our exhibition to meet our team and discover how you can take action through our campaigns and programmes to target inequality and build a more equal world. While you’re at our stand, grab a ‘Disability rights are human rights’ badge, pick up the latest edition of Changing Times newspaper —featuring powerful stories from young disability rights activists — and access our flagship Equal World? film. Join us in making change happen!

Rehabilitation matters: The appeal made by people in conflict-affected areas

Organized by: Humanity and Inclusion – Handicap International

“Rehabilitation Matters” spotlights the transformative impact of rehabilitation and assistive technology on the lives of individuals in conflict-affected regions. The exhibition highlights the intersection of personal resilience and systemic change, revealing how access to rehabilitation builds a foundation for societal participation and inclusion.
The personal stories of women and men with disabilities come together into a unified call to action: the urgent need to scale up rehabilitation services and assistive technology globally, ensuring they are accessible, high quality, and rooted in the principles of rights, inclusion, and dignity.

Refugee Together for Social Transformation (RTST)

Organized by: Refugee Together for Social Transformation (RTST)

I’m Kapakalasa Zelo Chiley , I’m a Congolese Refugee living in Kampala. I am the Founder and Director of Refugee Together For Social Transformation . The reason why I left my home country was Due to the political conflict in Democratic Republic of the Congo. I left home 9 years ago. It was never easy for me to start a new life inside Kampala .
I joined different trainings at different NGOs like : Jesuit Refugees Services ,The youth café, YOUNGO, manah wellness.I acquired skills through the years of attending Webinars and workshops, training in entrepreneurship, business and mentoring sessions, Public speaking , coaching and leadership. my mission is to Empower refugees with disability, orphans and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) around the world to overcome the burdens of deprivation and vulnerability to become healthy, educated, self-sustaining and contributing members of society.

Qatar Social Work

Organized by: Qatar Social Work

– Highlighting the efforts of the Qatar Social Work Foundation and its affiliated centers in supporting and empowering persons with disabilities.
– The participation of Al Shafallah Center for Persons with Disabilities and Al Noor Center for the Blind to showcase initiatives and specialized services aimed at enhancing independence and social inclusion for this group.
– Exchanging experiences and enhancing collaboration with international organizations to create an inclusive and supportive environment for communities around the world.

Education to Equity: Fostering Inclusion in the Workforce.

Organized by: America – Mideast Educational and Training Services (Amideast) – Jordan

Amideast’s exhibition booth highlights its commitment to inclusive education and workforce integration for Persons with Disabilities. Showcasing its various programs, initiatives and strategic partnership approach, the booth demonstrates how educational pathways and market-driven skills training create sustainable employment opportunities for people with disabilities.

Inclusive Development in Action

Organized by: CBM Christian Blind Mission

At our booth, we present our Inclusive Participation Toolbox, a web-based tool designed to make it easier for stakeholders in international cooperation to achieve meaningful participation of persons with disabilities. It includes background knowledge, practical advice and ready-to-use material. Visitors can explore the Toolbox live and take a little quiz about it. Additionally, we show how CBM promotes the rights and inclusion of persons with disabilities through examples of our work in the Global South.

Resilience for All: Putting Disability Inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction into Practice

Organized by: The Disability inclusive DRR Network (DiDRRN)

The Exhibition Booth will showcase and foster joint learning on innovative practices in disability-inclusive humanitarian action, disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate action through case studies, toolkits, research findings, and multimedia displays. The resources (developed by the DiDRRN and its member organisations) address issues such as inclusive needs assessments, disability-disaggregated data, Early Warning 4 All, inclusive anticipatory action, multi-stakeholder collaboration and leadership of persons with disabilities, equipping stakeholders with practical ways to embed disability inclusion in Humanitarian, DRR and climate action strategies worldwide.

PurpleSpace

Organized by: PurpleSpace

Visit our booth to talk about how your organisation can network with a global community of disability Employee Resource Group (ERG)/Network leaders, allies and champions to improve business performance and learn directly from your employees with disabilities. We call it ‘building disability confidence from the inside out’ and we have generated a global movement for positive cultural change.

Inklusion von Anfang an – Mission Inklusion!

Organized by: Aktion Mensch e.V.

The Aktion Mensch organization has a mission to foster dialogue around ideas and opportunities for promoting inclusion in society. To achieve this, it is essential to have good examples and strong networks. Therefore the organization focuses on cooperation and collaboration between civil society, the business sector, and government agencies just as on the participation of people with disabilities in shaping the services and offerings.

Transformative Urban Mobility Initiative (TUMI)

Organized by: Transformative Urban Mobility Initiative (TUMI)

The TUMI Booth is an interactive space showcasing solutions for sustainable and inclusive mobility. It features a VR experience that allows visitors to step into the shoes of different transport users across three continents, highlighting mobility challenges from diverse perspectives. Designed as a platform for engagement, the booth fosters discussions on accessibility, equity, and the future of urban mobility.

Zero Project: Solutions for a world with zero barriers

Organized by: Zero Project

At the booth the Zero Project showcases key initiatives advancing innovation, accessibility, and inclusion for persons with disabilities. The Zero Project AI Assistant: Partnership Tool enhances global cooperation by leveraging disability-inclusive solutions. The Scale-Ups Report highlights 25 scalable practices, with some innovators present at the booth. The Champions of Inclusive Spaces Report promotes Universal Design in public spaces and complements the Zero Project’s fireside chat. Lastly, the Zero Project Call for Nominations 2026 (#ZeroCall26) fosters global collaboration in identifying and scaling innovative solutions for Accessibility, ICT, and Crisis Response.

Inclusive Educational Hub

Organized by: Perkins, German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), Google, World Vision, International Disability Alliance (IDA) and the GLAD Inclusive Education Working Group.

Inclusive education sits at the foundation of realizing a broader disability inclusion agenda around the world. That’s why Perkins, BMZ, Google, and World Vision, with support from the International Disability Alliance (IDA) and the GLAD Inclusive Education Working Group, are joining forces to host The Inclusive Education Hub within the Exhibition Hall of the Global Disability Summit. Set up like an inclusive classroom, the Hub will feature two days of programming showcasing practical examples and diverse perspectives on how quality and accessible learning is driving equity in education and transforming the lives of children with disabilities.

Assistive Technology: ‘Transforming Today and creATing futures’

An exhibition showcasing the transformative power of assistive technology (AT) called ‘Assistive Technology: Transforming today and creATing futures’ will be organized during the Global Disability Summit on 2-3 April 2025, and the Civil Society Forum on 1 April 2025. There continues to be limited understanding of the challenges faced by persons with disabilities, knowledge of assistive technology and the progress made by the AT sector. The exhibition will highlight the role of AT as one key element to tackle such challenges and the transformative impact AT can have on those who need it. Moreover, there is a growing need and usefulness for AT in the general population as well. However, there is a stark difference between the availability of AT in high income and low/middle income countries, even as there are more and more promising stories of success in these countries. The ‘Assistive Technology: Transforming today and creATing futures’ exhibition will share stories of innovation and inspiration that showcase solutions to overcome challenges of accessibility, availability and affordability. The exhibition, curated by ATscale, the global alliance for assistive technology, will be representing AT users, suppliers, distributors, non-profits, innovators from different regions of the world to showcase the transformative power of AT.

Arts Expo