Globally, there’s a lack of accurate data on disability. But we’re helping to change this by collecting, analysing and using inclusive data, ensuring no one is left behind.
Inclusive data at Sightsavers
Inclusive data is vital for achieving Sightsavers’ vision and mission. It enables us to better understand the people we work with, how they are marginalised and the issues that prevent them being included.
Using inclusive data, together we can work to remove these barriers and improve access to services and opportunities so everyone can enjoy their human rights.
In the countries where Sightsavers works, we partner with governments and other organisations to advocate for inclusive data and improve the way it is collected, analysed and used.
We’re proud to have co-founded the Inclusive Data Charter (IDC), a global initiative to mobilise political commitments and create meaningful actions that improve inclusive and disaggregated data. In our first IDC action plan, published in 2018, Sightsavers made seven commitments to advance our work on inclusive data.
In our updated action plan for 2024-2027, we’re boosting our commitments to inclusive data in line with our strategies on health and inclusion. This action plan, alongside our updated vision and approach, was published in November 2023.
What is inclusive data?
Inclusive data is representative of all people, especially those that are underrepresented or marginalised.
At Sightsavers, inclusive data means collecting, analysing and using data that is broken down (or ‘disaggregated’) by disability, sex and age, while also bringing in dimensions such as geography, wealth and poverty, where relevant and valuable.
Click to read Inclusive Data Charter Action Plan 2024-27
View the easy read version
Click to read Click to read our vision and approach to inclusive data
View the easy read version
Sightsavers’ inclusive data objectives
1. Knowledge
We will continue to improve internal knowledge and practice, to strengthen evidence and our learning on how we collect, analyse and use inclusive data.
2. Partnership
We will work with partners to increase awareness and the capacity to collect, analyse and use inclusive data, to improve the way services are delivered.
3. Accountability
We will diversify resource mobilisation, engage new supporters, and strengthen our accountability and reporting to meet our commitments to inclusive data.
4. Advocacy
We will continue to advocate for governments and development organisations to improve their policies, systems and processes to use inclusive data effectively.
Read about our work
Sightsavers joins global Commit to Data campaign
We’re excited to be part of the UN’s World Data Forum campaign, which calls for data to be used to help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
November 2024
How we’re advancing inclusive data
Sightsavers recently launched the Inclusive Data Network to share our knowledge on inclusive data with the international development community.
Sightsavers, August 2024
Sightsavers launches new action plan on inclusive data
The updated plan reaffirms Sightsavers' commitment to enhancing inclusive data and collaboration in the international development sector.
November 2023
Lifting the rock on inclusive data: Sightsavers and the Inclusive Data Charter
We spoke to Dominic Haslam, Sightsavers’ director of policy and programme strategy, about the launch of our second Inclusive Data Charter Action Plan and how it reaffirms our commitment to inclusive data.
Sightsavers, November 2023
Inclusive data and Sightsavers: an ongoing journey
Five years since the creation of the Inclusive Data Charter, we’re updating our goals and commitments on inclusive data. So what are our key learnings?
Tichafara Chisaka, July 2023
On data and disability: piloting the Child Functioning Module in Nigerian schools
Sightsavers’ Liesbeth Roolvink and Gillian Mackay share learnings from the SMILE project in Nigeria, where a new questionnaire is being used in schools to assess children’s educational needs.
Sightsavers, February 2023
Senegal launches action plan to collect high-quality inclusive data
The initiative outlines the steps needed to ensure that people with disabilities are represented in official data, which will inform the government’s planning and monitoring.
December 2022
Data Values campaign: why we must act now to create a fair data future
Sightsavers' Tichafara Chisaka explains how the campaign aims to transform data in the development community and why it closely aligns with our inclusion work.
Tichafara Chisaka, September 2022
How can inclusive data advocacy help us to achieve the SDGs?
Sightsavers’ Aissata Ndiaye and Tichafara Chisaka share some lessons on inclusive data advocacy based on our experiences in Pakistan, Cameroon and Senegal.
Sightsavers, July 2022
“Inclusive data enables us to understand the barriers to inclusion so that we can do everything we can to address them.”
Tools and resources
Want to learn more about our work?
Sightsavers and disability rights