Global Impact of Disability and Vision Loss:

• 1.3 billion people are affected by some form of blindness and visual impairment. This

represents 17% of the world’s population.

• Vision loss will rise to 1.7 billion people by 2050 without significant investment.

• Vision loss is driven by inequality: 90% live in low- and middle-income countries

• 91 million children and adolescents live with vision loss.

• 40% of people with disabilities do not generally have their needs met for assistance with

everyday activities.

• Women and girls are more likely to have a disability - Women constitute 75% of people with disabilities in low- and middle-income countries. Women with disabilities comprise 10% of all women worldwide.

• More than 80% of persons with disability live in poverty.

What Drives Vision Impairments? Global Inequalities

The exclusion of youth with visual disabilities has been historically accentuated and continues to exist in countries due to:

  • Cultural misconceptions about disabilities, such as curses, and divine punishment
  • Cultural misconceptions about disabilities, such as curses, and divine punishment
  • Pervasive false assumptions and stereotypes about disabilities due to lack of inclusive training available for families of PWDs and professionals.
90% of people with vision loss live in low- and middle-income countries. 		ETI’s Goals
  • Transform individuals’ mindsets associated with disabilities,
  • Revert misconceptions associated with the potentials and abilities of blind youth,
  • Capacitate blind youth with necessary specialized life skills for independent living,
  • Disseminate awareness about the importance of all community members being actively involved in the implementation foundations for sustainable inclusion of people with disabilities.
  • Reduce disparities in quality of life between PWDs and individuals without disabilities.
  • Increase number of PWDs integrated in all levels and sectors of society.
  • By 2030, 10,000 families and local professionals will receive training to promote and sustain the empowerment, quality of life, and authentic inclusion of PWDs in underserved communities.