Recent years have seen growing evidence on the additional costs associated with disability and their impact on individuals and families. Addressing these costs requires a multisectoral approach that ensures access to assistive technologies, inclusive health and education services, community care, and broader support systems across the life cycle, grounded in accessibility and non-discrimination. Alongside more inclusive mainstream services, social protection plays a central role in reducing cost-related barriers and enabling full participation in education, employment, and community life.

This webinar examined how different components — including disability identification and assessment, cash-plus programmes, universal health coverage, and care and support services — can work together to create integrated support packages. It also explored financing pathways and the roles of governments and development partners in scaling such approaches. Country experiences were shared to illustrate practical strategies for strengthening disability inclusion through coordinated, multisectoral action.

The session also reflected the Australian Government’s Disability Equity and Rights Strategy, which promotes key preconditions for meaningful participation, such as accessibility, assistive technology, support services, social protection, community-based inclusive development, and non-discrimination. Highlighting emerging evidence of “what works,” the webinar called for continued innovation, stronger service integration, and expanded knowledge to advance disability-inclusive systems.

This was the first session of the two-part webinar series Pathways to Inclusive Social Protection, organised by the Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) in partnership with UNICEF and hosted by socialprotection.org, which explores how inclusive and gender-responsive social protection systems can be designed to support those most at risk of exclusion and insecurity.

Speakers:

• Alexandre Cote, Social Policy Specialist, UNICEF
• Charles Knox Vydmanov, UNICEF consultant
• Faatino Utumapu, General Manager, NOLA, the umbrella Organisation of Persons with Disabilities (Samoa)
• Nantanoot Suwannawut, Director, International Cooperation Section, Ministry of Social Development and Human Security (Thailand)

Moderator: Felicity O’Brien, Assistant Director, Social Protection, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade