For millions of people around the world, particularly across Asia, living with a disability means facing daily challenges that many of us take for granted. Access to finance, healthcare, jobs, education and support can be out of reach, especially for families struggling to make ends meet. Without these opportunities, the cycle of poverty and exclusion continues.

At Opportunity International Australia, we believe that everyone deserves a fair chance to build a better future. That’s why we work closely with financial service providers to open doors for people with disabilities, ensuring they can access small loans, employment, healthcare, and other essential support. By fostering inclusion, we’re creating a world where people with disabilities are empowered to thrive — not just survive.

Real change doesn’t happen overnight, but by working closely with local partners and collaborating with people with disabilities, we can build a more inclusive future. Opportunity has embedded disability inclusion into everything we do, including 42 action plans aimed at making our programs, partnerships, and workplaces more accessible.

Divya's story

Six-year-old Divya from Telangana, India, was born with multiple disabilities – including an intellectual disability and impaired mobility. Sadly, her parents, Bhaskar and Bhagyamma’s low income meant that they couldn’t afford healthcare or support for Divya.

Their local government clinic wasn’t able to offer specialised care. In 2023, they approached a local disability self help group, supported by Opportunity’s local partner, Commitments Trust. The group helped them to register Divya’s disabilities, listened to their challenges and connected them to a local clinic that offers physiotherapy, scans, medications and other specialised support for people with disabilities.

Divya’s parents have been consistently taking Divya and it has changed all of their lives for the better. Not only have they noticed positive changes in Divya’s physical health, she has stopped having seizures, tries to feed herself, smiles at people, is able to move around the room more independently and interact socially. Her crying is less frequent, giving her parents a sense of hope and joy, witnessing the major improvements to their daughter’s health and quality of life through proper care.

Inclusive finance and inclusive employment in Indonesia

As of September 2024, one of our microfinance partners in Indonesia, KOMIDA, is serving 15,252 women with disabilities with small loans, and their equitable hiring policy includes providing reasonable accommodations for staff with disabilities.

Hendri, a 36-year-old man from Cianjur, in West Java, has refused to let his physical disability define him. Having joined the organisation in 2009, Hendri’s remarkable career at KOMIDA has lasted more than 15 years. In that time, his dedication and perseverance have earned him various promotions and key roles, including field staff member, branch manager, and a member of the operational division team. As an operational staff member, Hendri travels extensively, monitoring and supporting KOMIDA's operational branches across Indonesia.

In 2021, Hendri faced a major challenge in his life when an accident led to a serious illness, resulting in the amputation of one of his legs. However, with the unwavering support of KOMIDA, Hendri has continued to thrive. The organisation provided him with a prosthetic leg, enabling him to regain his independence. Despite this setback, Hendri remains confident and committed to his work, inspiring countless others with his resilience and determination.

Hendri's story is a testament to the power of perseverance, inclusivity and empowerment. "Despite my current limitations, the KOMIDA work environment continues to support me, allowing me to grow and work," he shared.

Project is supported by the Australian Government through the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP). 

Read more about Opportunity’s work in disability and inclusion:

• Disability is no barrier for Hafzarun
• Strong bond helps couple run successful business
• Self-help groups supporting people with disabilities