The last 20 years have been filled with gratitude, empathy, and optimism. We were able to help those who lacked the resources to realize their dreams, irrespective of their color, creed, gender, religion or region. Together, we have come a long way, and we remain invested in our collective future.

Education and the skills acquired thereof have been the hallmark of growth and prosperity across civilizations and communities around the world. While education can help pave the way towards better prospects, due to various reasons beyond their control, people with disabilities haven’t had the opportunities that they sought. For many young people with disabilities, exclusion, isolation, and abuse as well as lack of educational and economic opportunities are a daily ritual (UNICEF, 2013).

According to a recent report on education and disability, persons with disability are among the population groups most likely to suffer from exclusion from education. In 25 of the countries assessed by the report, a person with a disability has lower literacy rates than people without disability. The gap ranges from 5% in Mali to 41% in Indonesia—where a large majority of non-disabled adults (93%) have basic literacy skills, whereas only 52% literacy amongst adults with disabilities. (UNESCO, 2018).

The data also reveals that disabled women are often less likely to receive a formal education than disabled men. The observed disadvantage of disabled people is likely to intensify in combination with other factors of exclusion linked to location, poverty, and contextual realities.
EquallyAble is announcing two new initiatives to provide educational and apprentice opportunities to individuals with disabilities, these programs will be initiated in the United States and around the world:

• Education Scholarship Fund
  Scholarships to aspiring youth with disabilities to attend undergraduate and graduate studies at reputed academic institutions globally. The scholarship will cover tuition fee and other educational costs to eligible applicants.
• Apprentice Scholarship Fund
  Scholarships to aspiring youth with disabilities to attend a training that helps hone a skillset or deepen knowledge base in emerging technologies that can help them to transition their careers or business.

Eligibility requirements and other details will be shared on the EquallyAble website shortly.