Sightsavers showcased its inclusive education projects at the Comparative and International Education Society (CIES) global conference in Chicago on 22-26 March 2025.
The theme for the 2025 CIES conference was ‘Envisioning Education in a Digital Society’. Sightsavers joined leading academics, donors, practitioners and global policymakers at CIES to call for education that is accessible for every child.
Our education and research teams shared tried-and-tested approaches to inclusive education at all levels of the education system, and demonstrated why the Sustainable Development Goals cannot be achieved without addressing the needs of children with disabilities.
Sightsavers presented six sessions at the conference. More information about the event can be found on the CIES conference website.
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- Email Veronica (Ronnie) about programmes: vstapleton@sightsavers.org
- Email Julia about research: jdekadt@sightsavers.org
Sunday 23 March
Poster presentation: Illuminating challenges to and facilitators of inclusive learning environments faced by pre-school children with disabilities in Kenya through documentary photography
- Time: 9.45-11am
- Speaker: Sheru Muuo
This poster shares preliminary findings from the documentary photography component of a study exploring children with disabilities’ learning environments in mainstream pre-schools in Mombasa and Homa Bay, Kenya. The photographs taken by teachers illustrate often unaccommodating learning environments for these children yet also show how teachers have developed and adopted a range of strategies to support their inclusion. The poster is based on work which is part of the Schools2030 research programme. View the poster
Read more about this research
Read more about our partner Schools2030
Monday 24 March
Panel: Disability inclusion in education management and information sessions
- Time: 9:45-11am
- With presentation by Sightsavers: Learnings from the use of the Washington Group Short Set questions to identify functional difficulties among children in Pakistan’s annual school census.
- Speaker: Dr Julia De Kadt
Sightsavers’ panel brings together presentations documenting experiences with disability-inclusive education management information systems in five different countries. The panel aims to synthesise emergent learnings, build dialogue on the topic and identify priority areas for further research.
We share learnings from a mixed-method study on Pakistan’s inclusion of four of the Washington Group short set questions on disability in its 2023/2024 annual school census. Findings highlight the scale and complexity of the undertaking, while identifying areas for attention in strengthening the collection of disability data in future iterations of the census. View the presentation
Wednesday 26 March
Safely at school: reducing the risks of school-related gender-based violence for children in Sierra Leone
- Time: 2:45-4pm
- Speaker: Dr Steven Kaindaneh
This presentation shares findings from a community-based participatory action study into school-related gender-based violence (GBV) affecting children with disabilities in four rural junior secondary schools in Sierra Leone. Children with disabilities encounter multiple forms of school-related GBV and frequently experience challenges in reporting these. However, children are also able to explain how they believe these challenges can be addressed. View the presentation
Read more about this research
Read our blog about this research
The digital divide: meeting the needs of learners with disabilities in low and middle income settings
- Time: 2.45-4pm
- Speakers: Veronica Stapleton
As an organisation, Sightsavers is interested in increasing dialogue around the use of different technologies for children to access their right to a quality education. How can equity in access to technology be achieved for children with disabilities in low-cost settings? Are high tech solutions the only way of supporting children with disabilities to access a quality education? View the presentation
Want to learn more about our research?
Sightsavers’ in-house research team has a strong track record of using research to improve our programmes. We also hold Independent Research Organisation status.
About our researchThe technological and digital divide in education drives the division in employment and socio-economic development for youth with disabilities in Bangladesh and Kenya
- Time: 2.45-4pm
- Speakers: Sapana Basnet
This paper presents the findings of a study that built evidence around the lived experiences, aspirations and challenges young people with disabilities face in accessing livelihood opportunities in Bangladesh and Kenya. It considered the lives that these young people envision for themselves, and the barriers and vulnerabilities they believe are likely to stop them from realising their aspirations. Findings highlight the role of inequitable access to appropriate technological and digital learning resources in shaping inequalities in education and work. View the presentation
Our presence at CIES is one small part of the huge effort that our country teams and implementing partners contribute towards making education accessible for every child. Find out more about our education work
Inclusive Futures: We lead UK Aid’s flagship disability inclusion consortium programme
Visit Inclusive FuturesStories about education
To achieve quality education for all, disability inclusion is critical
At the CIES conference, there were many examples of innovative uses of digital technology, but strategies for reaching children with disabilities were rarely discussed.
Making schools safer for children with disabilities
Dr Steven Kaindaneh and Dr Julia de Kadt explain how our new research puts children with disabilities at the centre of efforts to combat gender-based violence.
Cameroon approves landmark disability legislation
Cameroon has become the second African country to begin to ratify the African Disability Protocol, which addresses unique issues that affect people with disabilities in African countries.
